1979 Signed Steve LeBailly Original Watercolor – "Lady in Lavender" Figurative Portrait

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1979 Signed Steve LeBailly Original Watercolor – "Lady in Lavender" Figurative Portrait

Infuse your home with the soft, soulful beauty … Read more 1979 Signed Steve LeBailly Original Watercolor – "Lady in Lavender" Figurative Portrait

Infuse your home with the soft, soulful beauty of the late 1970s. This striking original watercolor on paper, titled "Lady in Lavender," is an early career masterpiece by the celebrated Seattle-based artist and historian Stephen B. LeBailly (1947–2024). Painted in 1979, the work depicts a serene female figure adorned with a floral crown, rendered in a sophisticated palette of lavender, sage, and sky blue.

LeBailly’s characteristic mastery of soft washes and delicate, expressive line work is on full display here. He captures a sense of quiet naturalism and "timeless feminine" grace that would become a hallmark of his long career. Presented in its original dark wood frame with an elegant gold-finished inner liner, this authenticated work serves as an immediate architectural anchor for a transitional library, a master suite, or a collection of Pacific Northwest Regionalism.

About the Artist: Stephen B. LeBailly (1947–2024)
Steve LeBailly was a cornerstone of the Seattle art and history community for over five decades. A prolific painter and dedicated historian, his life’s work was centered on "the richness of art and history." While he gained international acclaim for his monumental oils of European architecture and Native American heritage, his early watercolors remain highly sought after for their intimacy and emotional depth. LeBailly's work is held in numerous prestigious private collections throughout the West Coast and is celebrated for its ability to weave nature and human storytelling into a single, cohesive narrative.

Artistry & Composition
The Palette: The use of cool pastels provides a calming, "resort-modern" aesthetic that bridges the gap between mid-century and contemporary design.

Technique: LeBailly utilizes the "wet-on-wet" watercolor technique to create the hazy, atmospheric background, contrasted by sharp, focused line work in the subject’s eyes and features.

Authenticity: This piece is hand-signed and dated "79" by the artist in the lower right corner, verifying its status as a vintage original.

Dimensions
Framed Size: 23 in H x 19 in W x 1 in D
Art Sight Area: 18.5 in H x 14 in W

Condition
Good Vintage Condition – This artwork has been meticulously preserved in its original frame. As shown in the detailed macro-photos, there is visible foxing (natural age spots) on the paper, a common and often desired hallmark of 45-year-old organic art papers that confirms its authentic age and regional climate history. The pigments remain luminous and have not suffered from UV-fading. The wood frame is structurally sound, showing light surface wear and a small, age-appropriate gap at one mitered corner. The reverse retains its original vintage textured dust cover and heavy-duty hanging wire.

Designer Styling Note: "The Naturalistic Gallery"
Designers often use LeBailly’s early watercolors to ground rooms filled with organic textures like linen, jute, and light oak. This portrait is a perfect "color driver"—the lavender tones pair exquisitely with silver accents and botanical elements. It is an essential piece for the Grandmillennial collector looking to introduce authentic 1970s soul into a modern floor plan.

A rare intersection of regional art history and timeless naturalistic beauty. This Steve LeBailly original offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of the late artist's early legacy. It is a soulful, investment-grade acquisition ready to bring narrative weight and artistic elegance to the modern home. See less