HELP!!!American Painter Identity

[Bryan]

First, let me say hello to the group. I have been looking for a group
like this for a while now.
Now for the question. I have aquired(due to the death of a family
member) 2 paintings and I have been unable to find out anything about
them. The artists name is(was) Ned Searle but his paintings are signed
simply "Jon". His preferred medium was oil on hardwood (usually old barn
stock or whatever was available). His style seems to be stark primitive
still life and he worked with few colors at one time. The 2 paintings
that I have are of a vase with a dead (leafless) plant in it against a
neutral background and the other is what appears to be a n Ivy plant
against a neutral green background.
The info that I have been able to aquire is slim to say the least. Ned
(Jon) lived and worked out of California (the Lake Elsinore area). He
stayed with my mothers parents in the 50's in Ft. Worth,TX(I presume
that this is how we got the paintings). He (Ned) was on the Johnny
Carson show 2 times shortly before his death (late 80's I think) and on
his last visit he presented Johnny with a portrait.
That is really all I know about him. Is there someone out here that
can give me some more info or steer me in the right direction to find
out more (history,value for insurance purposes,etc.). I would be forever
in your collective debts if you can provide any assistance. Thank you
very much!

Bryan