Ray Boynton Appraisal

Ray Boynton, 'Construction Scene' Watercolor Painting

This item is an original watercolor painting by Ray Boynton, titled or depicting a 'Construction Scene.' The artwork is presented within a simple wooden frame, likely cherry or a similar warm-toned wood, with a visible glare on the glass indicating it is framed under glass. The artwork itself features a dynamic composition of several workers engaged in what appears to be a construction or demolition process, characterized by piles of irregular, cube-like objects, possibly representing bricks, stones, or demolition debris. The color palette is muted, with figures rendered in various hues such as red, blue, purple, and brown garments, against a light, possibly off-white or cream-colored background. The style is somewhat naive or folk-art inspired, with figures depicted in profile or partial view, engaged in tasks like climbing ladders, pushing carts, and moving materials. The lines appear to be primarily graphite pencil outlines, filled in with watercolor washes, giving it a textural quality indicative of mixed media or watercolor pencil technique. A signature, 'Ray Boynton,' is visible in the upper left quadrant of the painting. The frame appears to be in fair condition, showing some surface wear commensurate with age. The painting itself shows no immediately obvious damage like tears or significant discoloration from the provided images, though a more detailed in-person inspection would be needed to assess the paper's condition, color fading, or potential foxing. The overall aesthetic suggests it could date from the mid-20th century, given the style and known period of activity for artists of this name. The craftsmanship is expressive rather than hyper-realistic, focusing on the action and energy of the scene.