follow-up: the artist has been identified as Helen Allingham and I have added a link to The Helen Allingham Society below. Here is a link that might be useful: The Helen Allingham Society

I just realized in my first post I typed that I finished with the guidance of my painting teacher. I meant to say without. The unmatted size is 30" x 22" I took the picture with just a mat to avoid the glare from the glass. I currently have it framed temporarily in an Ikea frame. Eventually I'll get it professionally framed. What kind of mat(s) do you suggest golddust?

Les, I agree, I'm puzzled by that, too. I bought this painting via Goodwill's online auction site, so they have no other info to give me about it. It was at their local pick-up site, so I was able to avoid the high s&h charge and picked it up Homebodymom: I know what you mean. I worked in medicine for many years, and I've been married to a doctor (whose handwriting leaves much to be desired!) for the past 20+ years, so I should be able to decipher this name, right? NOT!!! The back side's name looks like "Maita Matt" to me, but the front is definitely signed "Mott". I'm confused, right along with everybody else :~$ Lynn

Javachik, you are so sweet! Yayagal, for someone who is an artist used to creating with their hands everyday how on earth have you coped? I wish I could see your work. Is it allowed here? Balego, thank you for the Ikea ideas. I think that will work well in the open closet to free up the rest of the space. I thought of something I may be able to use. My mom was of modest means but when she passed she left me a small oak cabinet that I guess was passed down through the family. It may have been a water cupboard and has a drawer. It’s up north at my sisters waiting for me. Maybe I can modify it slightly with wheels on the bottom. Mom loved to write poetry and I know she would be happy if I used it for something creative. I could put heavy glass on the top and use it for paints next to the easel. Yep, I think she would like that and be happy that I was using something of hers to get back into painting. I think I see her smiling! That’s it then. So, now I need to concentrate on something to clean the air or??? Husband hates the smell of painting. Right or wrong some people stereotype artsy sorts as eccentric or quirky. When I’m doing art I feel whole and that I have a place in the world. In other words I have an excuse for quirky when painting. I do like remodeling and decorating but the type of decorating I would like to do is several price brackets above what I can do, so I’m always a bit frustrated on not being able to complete the picture in my head… exactly. With painting there is no limit. I just need lots of time lol.