Lewis painting sold after thrift-store find

A painting recently discovered at an Ontario thrift store by renowned folk artist Maud Lewis sold in auction for $45,000, almost three times its estimated price.

Portrait of Eddie Barnes and Ed Murphy, Lobster Fishermen had been appraised at $16,000. It was found a little more than a year ago by volunteers sorting through donations in a New Hamburg, Ont., thrift shop run by the Mennonite community.

Lewis, who lived in poverty for most of her life, sold her paintings from her home near Digby, N.S., for as little as $2 and $3. She died in1970, but her paintings have since sold for more than $20,000. Two of her works were ordered by the Nixon White House after Lewis achieved widespread attention.

The Canadian artist has also been the subject of a biopic starring Oscarnominated actors Ethan Hawke and Sally Hawkins.