Paintings by Canadian folk artists Maud Lewis, Joe Norris and Joe Sleep all do well in M&M auction

NEW HAMBURG, Ontario - Oct. 26, 2023 - PRLog -- As expected, the acclaimed Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis (1903-1970) dominated the list of top lots in Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.'s online-only Folk Art auction on October 14^th, but this time she shared the spotlight with two other Canadian luminaries – Joe Norris (1924-1996) and Joe Sleep (1914-1978). All three posted high dollars.

Six original paintings by Maud Lewis combined to bring $184,680. They included a mixed media on Masonite from 1967 titled The Lobsterman ($53,100); a 1950s oil on board titled Two Birds in Winter ($44,250); a 1950s mixed media on scrap cardboard titled Dog Beneath Cherry Trees ($32,450); a circa 1967-1967 mixed media on Masonite titled Train Station ($27,140); a circa 1964-1965 mixed media on beaverboard titled Winter Sleigh Ride ($25,960); and a 1967 mixed media on Masonite work titled White Cat with Flowers, Butterflies and Yarn ($24,780).

All prices quoted here are in Canadian dollars and include an 18 percent buyer's premium.

Four original works by Joe Norris totaled $57,230. They included a 1993 enamel on board titled Hauling the Herring Nets ($21,240); a 1995 enamel on board titled Boat Landing ($17,700); a circa 1980 oil on canvas titled Canada Geese ($9,440); and an early 20^th century Victorian side table, later painted by the artist, with an autumn homestead in primary colors on top ($8,850). A 1978 latex and marker on Masonite by Joe Sleep, titled Cat, sold within estimate for $5,900.

"This specialized sale was a celebration of contemporary, post-1950 folk art," said Ethan Miller of Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. "It was exciting to witness the support for both highly recognized and emerging artists."

The 269-lot auction featured carvings and sculptures, paintings and drawings and walking sticks. There was no live in-gallery bidding, but 256 registered online bidders place a total of 5,069 bids. Online bidding was provided by LiveAuctioneers.com and the Miller & Miller website. Nearly all lots (99 percent) were sold, and 58 percent of the top 50 lots exceeded estimate. The total gross was $432,260.

Miller & Miller Auctions has back-to-back sales planned for Friday, October 27^th (Advertising & Americana) and Saturday, October 28^th (Advertising, Petroliana & Coin-Op). Both are online. Then, on Friday, November 17^th, the firm will hold a Luxury Watches auction, also online-only.

To learn more about Miller & Miller Auctions and their calendar of upcoming events, visit www.millerandmillerauctions.com.