Two (2) Leslie Benson (American, 1885-1972) illustration art paintings, watercolor and gouache on Superior illustration board, each signed lower left "Leslie L. Benson." 1st painting titled "Apartment Cat," depicting partygoers looking at a cat. Image 11 5/8" x 9" on board 17 1/2" x 15". 2nd painting titled "Young Courage," depicting a young boy seated at a table and a woman in apron holding plates. Board 22" x 14 5/8". Circa 1949. Biography (courtesy Askart: The Artists' Bluebook): Leslie Benson was a member of the Salamagundi Club, Artist's Guild and the Society of Illustrators. His illustrations appeared in many magazines including Saturday Evening Post, McCalls, Red Book, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping etc. He was a magazine illustrator in the early 1920s and 1930s, then he became a book illustrator and turned to more religious subjects. He also did some important portraits of Joan Crawford, General and Mrs. H. Frank Gregory and Mr. & Mrs. Tom Fruge. He illustrated a number of books, including The First Easter by Nancy Skarmeas. His work from the 1950s on was mostly done for the Providence Lithograph Company, Concordia Publishing House and The Messenger. He worked in New York City, Connecticut, Rhode Island and North Carolina. CONDITION: Margin notations in pencil and smudges, images with light toning, overall very good condition.