"A Night on the Town", after Cortes, 6x6, oil, Small paintings, Parisian scenes, impressionism, turn of the century, walking in Paris, after Cortes

 "A Night on the Town", after Cortes, 6x6, oil

I have been working on painting in a looser , more impressionistic style. I've been studying the work of Eduard Cortes, and his magnificent Parisian city scenes. Painting this little vignette gave me a chance to continue to mimic his style. 

I am still struggling with tremendous back pain as I paint, but I am hoping I will eventually be able to paint more comfortably, and larger as well.

Thanks for following my blog.

"Midnight in Paris', after Eduard Cortes- 11x14 oil in panel, Montmartre, streets of Paris, a night on the town, back in time, nostalgia, old masters, Eduard Cortes, impressionism

 "Midnight in Paris', after Eduard Cortes- 11x14 oil in panel

I had to take a long hiatus from painting, due to a back injury. It has been almost a year since I even felt a desire to paint again. But the desire has begun to stir again, thanks to healing and the necessity to keep my brain busy.

Standing for any length of time is still painful, so I did this painting over a period of 4-5 days, taking long breaks in between to rest.

I have not been inspired to paint much, not just because of back pain, but because of other changes in my life, including becoming a caretaker for my husband of 54 years.

But last week I finally made up my mind to try and recover somewhat of the skill I have lost over time, in not painting or even trying to keep up with the new works that so many talented painters are doing these days.

So I resorted to looking at the works of my favorite artists, past and present, to try to get inspired.

Once again, and not for the first time, the incredible impressionist paintings of Eduard Cortes caught my attention and took my breath away. His scenes of Paris are so masterful, and yet they almost look like they were painted en plein air- so fresh and spontaneous are they. 

My painting above is a far cry from the master's work, but artists have always been advised that it is  a good practice to copy or mimic the work of the old masters in order to learn from them.

I have not been back to Paris in many years, but I will never forget how much fun my husband and I had on our wild, crazy trip to Paris  about 25 years ago.

Painting this scene from Montmartre was good for my soul, reminding me of the good times Ken and I have had over the years, and in the end, it is those memories that sustain us during the trials of life.

I am going to continue to try to start painting regularly again, in the hopes I can start regaining my former skills.

Thanks for the beautiful memories, Mr. Cortes, and for inspiring me to paint again by trying to learn from you. I wish I could have met you and taken lessons from you, and perhaps even painted with you in Paris. Your work has inspired many, the least of whom is me.

"Vineyard in Tuscany", 6x12, oil on cradled Ampersand panel, vineyard art, Tuscany, La Dolce Vita, Palette knife painting, impasto, Italian landscape

 "Vineyard in Tuscany", 6x12 x2, oil on cradled Ampersand panel.

This painting came together in my mind before it made it to the canvas. I decided I wanted soft, happy colors, and thick, thick paint. The result is an exuberantly colored vineyard set within dreamy mountains.

I applied much of the paint with a palette knife, creating, luscious impasto. This painting is on cradled board that is 2 inches in depth. It can be hung on the wall with or without a frame.

To purchase this painting, please visit my website here.

"Lizzy-Belle", 6x6, beautiful cats, Paintings of cats, Feline friends, small affordable paintings, original oil paintings, impressionist artist, animal art, daily paintings

 "Lizzy-Belle", 6x6, oil on ampersand panel-$100

I have been unable to paint for months now, due to a back injury. This was the first painting I have done in many months. My back will never be completely healed, but I will continue to try to paint for as long as I can.

I have had many cats in my lifetime; Lizzy Belle was a sweetie. I have been tempted to go to St. Francis cat rescue here in town and check out the rescues there, but I know I will never leave without a cat, and I  know it's not a good time for me to take on a kitty.

Anyway, I was happy to get this little painting completed today. If you would like to bring Lizzy home, just click this link to my website.

"A Clear day at the Nubble", 12x12 , oil on Ampersand hardwood panel, Cape Neddick, Nubble Lighthouse, York, Maine, Maine seacoast, Maine lighthouses

                               

"A Clear day at the Nubble", 12x12 , oil on Ampersand hardwood panel

I painted this way back in 2012 after a trip to the Nubble Lighthouse at Cape Neddick in York, Maine.

It was a beautiful clear day and the air was fresh and clear. 

Please send me an email at Maryannejacobsen@aol.com if you would like to inquire about this painting.

"Summer Pond", 16x9 inches, oil on Canson oil paper, Chester County, Pennsylvania, pond, horse farm, pond reflections, red barn, landscape, small oil painting

"Summer Pond", 16x9 inches, oil on Canson  oil paper

This was the lovely scene that I used to see from my kitchen window when I lived in Pennsylvania. There was a serene pond, with lovely morning sunrises, a horse farm, and a variety of random animals and waterfowl including geese, ducks, red fox, and deer.

It was an inspirational place  for me to write and read. I painted this study before doing a larger work of the same scene. 

If you are interested in this pretty scene, please email me at maryannejacobsen@aol.com for pricing.

Thanks for visiting my blog and come back again!

"Renaissance Child", 11x14, oil on panel, paintings of children, girls in bonnets, Renaissance Fair, little girls, paintings of little girls, prairie child

 "Renaissance Child", 11x14, oil on panel.

I painted this little girl many years ago. She won a couple awards, and her winsome look won my heart. I have never offered her for sale before. She has been hanging on my walls for at least a decade. I finally decided to let her go to a good home.

If you would like to purchase "Renaissance Child", you can do so through my website here.

"Florida Nature Preserve", 11x14, oil on linen, plein air, Oscar Scherer State Park, paintings of nature, plein air paintings, southwest Florida art, Osprey, sale

 "Florida Nature Preserve", 11x14, oil on linen, plein air

I painted this on location many moons ago, with the Light Chasers, plein air group. We watched a demo first, by someone who's name I can no longer recall, and then we all wandered off to find that special place that inspired our senses. I found mine here, near water and a patch of red foliage.

It was a clear beautiful day, not yet the heat season that attracts bugs and sunburn and snakes.

I do miss painting outdoors, but restrictions from a back injury no longer allow me to do that. At least not yet.

I am have a huge sale of beautiful artwork on my website, that includes this painting. Please check it out here, and find a painting that speaks to your soul!

"Distressed", 9x12, oil on Arches oil paper , on panel, paintings of girls, impressionism, children

 "Distressed", 9x12, oil on Arches oil paper , on panel

This is the first painting I have done in 5 months! At least I didn't forget how to paint! I had a bad vertebrae fracture back in October, that has prevented me from painting. This one wasn't easy. I still have tremendous back pain when I stand, so I had to sit-down every 10 minutes to rest.

At least I finally painted something. I like the softness of it. Maybe this will be a new style for me.

Thanks for checking out my blog. This little lady can be purchased through my website. If interested, here's the link.

The Carolers, 8x8, oil on panel, Christmas carol, carolers, snow, songs of the season, mittens and coats, a Christmas carol

 The Carolers, 8x8, oil on panel

I haven't painted in a few months due to a fractured vertebrae in my back, which has been very painful.

But because it is the season for snow and wam coats, and Christmas carolers, I decided to post this sweet little painting from a year ago.

It reminds me of a bygone era and a simpler time. I hope that you enjoy it.

Monhegan Morning, 11x14, oil on linen, Monhegan Island, summer garden, landscape, Summer garden, Maine, Maine garden, Carinas garden, cats, morning walk, island beauty

 Monhegan Morning, 11x14, oil on linen

This is a familiar scene to anyone who has ever visited Monhegan Island, a tiny picturesque island off the coast of Maine.

There are 2 ferries from the coast that can take you there, and this magical island is always worth the trip if you are on holiday in Maine. 

The island is tiny but is a painters/hikers/ boaters paradise with its unique landscape, and magnificent sunsets.

This scene is at the lush, ever blooming garden at Carina's, which was once a little convenience store but has closed in recent years. The garden changes with the seasons, as do the cats that will accompany you on your morning walk!

Send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com if you are interested in this painting.

"Midsummer Daydream", 12x16, oil, floral arrangement, still life, plein air, Florida garden, midsummer

 "Midsummer Daydream", 12x16, oil

This is a plein air painting that I painted on my lanai, a few years ago. I set up the flowers and fruit on the table next to the pool, and went to town painting it.

It became a study for a larger work that I did, called Reverie, which won a first place ribbon under esteemed judge Aline Ordman.

I used that wrought iron table often for plein air still life setups. Sadly, it got so rusty I had to through it out.

Let me know what you think of this painting in the comments below!

Thanks for visiting. Be sure to check out my website at Maryanne Jacobsen Fine Art.

"On a Shelf", 6x12, oil on panel, roses, pink roses, green bottle, impressionism, glass

 "On a Shelf", 6x12, oil on panel

I've had these artificial flowers laying around for years. I put them on a shelf today and painted them for the second time in 2 days.

I admit, that they were not very easy to paint. I hope my struggles don't show too much.

If you would like to purchase this  little painting, just send me a message at maryannejacobsen@aol.com, and thanks for looking.

"Farmhouse Morning", 8x10, Pennsylvania landscape, Amish country, pumpkins , autumn, front porch, red wagon, fall, pumpkin season

  "Farmhouse Morning", 8x10

Back in the fall, we took a trip to Amish country in Pennsylvania. We stayed at an organic farm, and the owner introduced us to all his chickens, roosters, goats, cows and ponies.

We had an awesome week and the farmhouse was especially rustic and cozy. I so enjoyed sitting on the porch in the morning, having my coffee, and watching the hens and roosters come up on the porch and walk around.

There was also a kitten who lived under the porch that became my best friend after I gave him half of my tuna salad lunch.

It took me a while to get together the nerve to paint the porch scene. There was a lot going on with the light and shadows, the stone walls and perspective and I was a little intimidated by it.

But I knew it was a good composition and so I set my mind to painting it, and this is how it turned out.

Overall, I was happy with it, but think it would be even better in a larger format. We shall see if I attempt that or not.

Thanks for visiting my blog. See more of my paintings at my website.

"Father Serra's Garden",11x14, oil on linen, Father Junipero Serra, Carmel Mission, Beautiful gardens, Mission gardens, statues of saints, California missions, California art

 "Father Serra's Garden",11x14, oil on linen

Junípero Serra Ferrer, (November 24, 1713 – August 28, 1784) was a Spanish Franciscan friar who founded a mission in Baja California and the first nine of 21 Spanish missions in California from San Diego to San Francisco. He began in San Diego on July 16, 1769, and established his headquarters near the Presidio of Monterey, but soon moved a few miles south to establish Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo in today's Carmel, California.


The missions were primarily designed to bring the Catholic Christian faith to the native peoples. Other aims were to integrate the neophytes into Spanish society, and to train them to take over ownership and management of the land. 

Serra was beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 25, 1988, and Pope Francis canonized him on September 2015 during the Pope's first visit to the United States. I painted a similar version of this garden and statue back then, and it was well received, so I decided to paint the scene again, in a slightly different format.

Whenever I have visited California, it is almost a must for me to visit one or more of Father Serra's missions. They are all tranquil and lovely. My favorite of the missions is Mission Capistrano, which I've painted numerous times, but the Carmel Mission in Carmel, where Father Serra established his residence and is buried, is a close second.

The painting above is of Father Serra's Garden at the Carmel Mission, also known as Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo. It was close to closing time when I was there that day, and the long shadows added an air of mystery to the little garden alcove. Adding to the enchantment, the statue of Father Serra had the smallest slice of butterlike light cascading over his head and down his shoulder, an almost seeming continuation of the rapidly melting late afternoon sunshine that was snaking down the terra cotta roof, where it made a nose dive and finally came to rest over the figure of Father Serra.

I wish the fountain had been on, as the fountain itself was still bathed in that lovely light and a little running water would have added additional drama.

To inquire about this painting, send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.