The painting in question is 20" x 18" and is of maybe an Arizona
desert at dusk or sunrise with the floor of the desert in the
forground and the mountains in the background with the sun on them ND
THE sky is green.

Dear beagle6750-ga,

It is very difficult to be certain without seeing the picture, but it
is possibly by either Elmer Wachtel, or his wife, Marion Kavanagh
Wachtel. Elmer painted in oils and Marion in watercolours (after his
death Marion also painted in oils). They have become the most
recognized names in early California painting. At one stage they
traveled to Arizona to paint the deserts, and the Moki and Navajo
reservations. Obviously an art dealer would be able to confirm the
artist for you.

The ?Askart? web site has information, biography, images and auction
prices on both artists. Use the links under the Table of Contents.
Compare the style of painting and you may be able to confirm which
artist it is. Some of the site is members only, it may be worth you
applying for membership to obtain further information.

Elmer Wachtel, 
1864 - 1929
"ventured to the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico painting the
villages on the Moki and Navajo reservations."
"A foremost landscape painter of late 19th and early 20th-century
California, he specialized in panoramic desert and mountain landscapes
using impressionist brushstrokes."
http://www.askart.com/Artist/W/elmer_wachtel.asp


Marion Kavanagh Wachtel, 
1870 - 1954
Seems to sign it in her full name
"Both of the Wachtels were pursuing careers as full-time fine art
painters so they were able to take extended painting trips to rcmote
areas of California. Often they camped out and explored areas near the
coast and inland valleys, seeking out Californids beautiful landscape
and unique natural light. The works of art they produced on these
excursions were sold at art galleries in Los Angeles."
http://www.askart.com/theartist.asp?id=9984

Further images of paintings by Elmer
http://artroots.com/art2/elmerwachtel.jpg
http://www.mmfa.com/Recent/ewachtel3.html
http://www.mmfa.com/Recent/ew2.html
http://www.edanhughes.com/detail.cfm?ArtworkID=2539

Further images of painting by Marion
http://artroots.com/art2/marionwachtel.jpg
http://artroots.com/art/marionwachtel.jpg
http://www.edanhughes.com/detail.cfm?ArtworkID=2251
http://www.askart.com/artforsale/forsalecontact.asp?no=43376&image_no=12438&id=9984


Some 2001 prices realised at Butterfields ?

American and California Paintings Sale 7274D, December 12, 2001
Marion Kavanaugh Wachtel Hill Top Oaks, (No. 3) $57875 
Elmer Wachtel Ojai Stream $17625
Marion Kavanaugh Wachtel A Sierra Landscape $32000

Use the links in the search strategy to obtain further information on the artists.

I hope this answers your question. If it does not, or the answer is
unclear, then please ask for clarification of this research before
rating the answer. I shall respond to the clarification request as
soon as I receive it.
Thank you
answerfinder


http://www.butterfields.com/areas/prices_realized/prices7274d.htm
wachtel desert
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=wachtel+desert
"Elmer Wachtel"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22Elmer+Wachtel%22
"Marion Wachtel"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22Marion+Wachtel%22

Thank you for the info on askART. I joined!!