Help with signature, please - any Australians around?

[theoriginalmadambee]

When my parents died, I inherited a water colour painting. I know it was gifted to my ddad in the '80ies by an Australian work colleague and that's about it.

I have had it valued and it is not worth anything (and they couldn't read the signature either). But I would so like to know who the artist is and more about his art.

So please are there any signature reading wizards around? Or do any of you recognize the artist.

Looks like T K Bernard (or Barnard) to me? I don't recognise the name though, or the art but it's a lovely painting!

Looks a little bit like it says "John Barnard"? But I'm not an Aussie and don't know of any painters by that name...

Jr barnaby?

Thanks so far, Googled your suggestions no aus artists... But I did get a funeral home hit .

Do you know the area the artist might have come from? Or any clue about the area pictured in the landscaper? Was your dad working in Australia at the time?

@MyChickensAreIdiots (love your username)

I have no idea about area. Trying not to be too outing, but my ddad worked for Plumrose and used to go to Australia checking up on their production. So he visited a lot of areas, some quite remote (tomato fields). The colleague, who gave it to him was called Verner (in case anyone recognizes).

Nothing to go on there unless an Australian mumsnetter knows, sorry.

Can't help but it is a lovely painting.

OP, join a delightful Facebook group called 'Chat 10 Looks 3 Community'. Strange name, I know; it's a reference in a podcast run by two Australian journalists. Anyway, their Facebook group is full of the most amazingly knowledgeable and helpful people, plenty of whom are very well-connected. I've seen the group solve fascinating mysteries like yours before, and would be very surprised if there's not someone in the group who knows their painter. Best of luck.

JK Bernard Fly?

Wow @Methyl thanks very much, will try that. Strange name though .

@Minorityreports
Didn't know that one not UK. But if only .

I'd say this was JK B..........d 84.

There are discussions forums linked to the Art UK website that might be able to help.

What a lovely painting. In AIBU there's a thread for Aussie mumsnetters to chat to each other.
They were really helpful when I asked about restaurant suggestions in Adelaide recently.
Because of the time difference they are often on the 2nd or 3rd page of AIBU thread titles.
It might be worth giving them a try.

Thank you both .

Second the suggestion for chat 10 looks 3.

the painting might be of Flinders ranges- not a whole heap of mountains in Australia to chose from.

Hello OP, I think your painting might be by an artist called John Borrack. You should be able to to find his art and signature by googling.

I think you are right, @Pollydron. Brilliant!

Yes, it is John Leo Borrack. Born 1933. Recent prices have been low, but lots have gone through the auction market. Lots of sales in Adelaide so he must be from around there. His style seems a bit commercial - more popular rather than museum quality, if you know what I mean?

There are actually a lot of mountains in Oz...

not a whole heap of mountains in Australia to chose from.

Ummmm...

Wow @Pollydron you are good, thank you so so much, also @LahLahsBigBand for the extra info.

I have spend so much time trying to figure out that signature, but I would never have guessed that 😀.
Just had a look on Google and he is spot on, off to google further.

Have a nice weekend.