Pastel/Chalk Picture

[kdj]

Hello, I am hoping someone will recognize either the initials or style of this pastel/chalk picture.
There is an M Z in the right bottom corner. The name Beckstrom is penciled on the back. There is a partial word/name prior to Beckstrom. (see picture)
I have done the usual research and have come up with nothing for M Z nor Beckstrom.
This is an old picture. The picture has been removed from the frame. The fit was so close there is chalk on the glass!
I bought it about a week ago in the Twin Cities, MN area.
Thank you for your ideas about the artist if any!

[mart]

Artists that expect to make money from their work will never sign with initials !! That is a sure sign of a hobbyist !!  Can you imagine walking into an art gallery and asking to see a painting by "M Z" ??  Art is name recognition,, if they do not know your name,,you may as well quit now !!  What if Norman Rockwell just signed N R,, no one would know him today !!
And the back is "Mrs. Beckstrom !!

[Ipcress]

Albrecht Durer signed with a monogram. Matisse sometimes did. Wassily Kandinsky...

Plenty of famous artists used monograms.

[Rauville]

It's a longshot, but you might try contacting the local pastel group.
http://www.lakecountrypastelsociety.org/
Someone might be familiar with "MZ".

[kdj]

WOW - I did not know of this Lake Country Pastel Society! Thank you for that link.
It is difficult to see in a picture of this chalk work but I held a magnifying glass to the blossoms on the tree and whether it is by design or not I was very surprised to see a 3 dimensional depth in the tree - a layering of branches and blossoms.
Thanks again for the link!

[mart]

Layering is done in all paint forms !!  There is no record of any artist that used these initials !!

[kdj]

Thanks for checking Mart!