HELEN JOHNSTON BALFOUR American, 1847–1925 Southern California’s San Gabriel Mountains Watercolor on paper. Signed at base. Framed. Not examined out of frame. Sight (as matted) 13 x 10 inches (excluding frame) $250-350
ARTIST PROFILE: Helen Johnston Balfour (1847–1925) was a prominent American watercolorist celebrated for her atmospheric depictions of the California landscape. Born in London, England, she emigrated to the United States as a child, settling first in Milwaukee and later in Chicago, where she studied at the Art Institute of Chicago. Interestingly, she first achieved success as a concert singer before turning her full attention to painting in the 1890s. After moving to Los Angeles in 1909, she became a vital member of the Southern California art community, frequently painting alongside her niece, the renowned artist Marion Wachtel, and her husband Elmer Wachtel. Balfour’s work is characterized by its delicate handling of light and serene subject matter, ranging from the San Gabriel Mountains and eucalyptus groves to scenes as far north as Alaska. A frequent exhibitor with the California Art Club and the Laguna Beach Art Association, her legacy is preserved in collections such as the Society of California Pioneers.
