"Four Dog's Afternoon", 12x16, oil on copper panel, Four Dogs Tavern, paintings on copper, quickdraw, Marshalton, Pennsylvania, plein air Brandywine valley, historic buildings , interesting architecture, Chester county Pennsylvania paintings, Maryanne Jacobsen original art

"Four Dog's Afternoon", 12x16, oil on copper panel

Just returned from a fun week of painting in Pennsylvania with the Plein Air Brandywine Valley festival which benefits the Children's Beach House.

It's an event I look forward to, because it gives me an opportunity to paint in the beautiful fall weather in a gorgeous countryside that I  know well.

One of the highlights of the week was the Quick Draw event, in which painters are required to complete a painting in two hours and have it framed and hung for the public display. The event was held in the scenic and historic village of Marshallton, which is just outside of West Chester Pa.

I chose to paint at the Four Dogs Tavern because it has always been our favorite restaurant to visit with friends and family when we lived in Chester County, and now whenever we happen to be in the area. The tavern once served as a stables for the historic Marshalton Inn which is right across the driveway.

The afternoon was sunny and fairly warm and  I enjoyed portraying this old building because it has come to reflect many happy memories over the years of gatherings with friends and loved ones.

To learn more about the little town of MArshallton and its history, here is a very interesting article: Living History: A tale of two names, Marshallton and the Marshalton Inn 

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

"Summer Garden, Rockport",11x14, oil on panel, Rockport, Massachusetts, homes of Rockport Massachusetts, Cape Ann, summer gardens, Maryanne Jacobsen art, Windswept, Old Garden Path, paintings of homes in Rockport

"Summer Garden, Rockport",11x14, oil on panel

Rockport, Massachusetts on Cape Ann has long been a favorite haunt of mine. A favorite activity when my husband and I are there is to take the stroll along the ocean via the Old Garden Path. I have taken that walk dozens of times and never grow tired of it!

This is one of the gorgeous summer "cottages " that line the street called The Old Garden Path. Sitting high and stately  on a slight hill and with a long stone pathway leading to the porch, one can always count on beautiful perennial gardens in the summer. Black-eyed Susan, purple coneflowers, Russian sage- it's a delightful scene to behold as one walks down the street.

I took a photo of this house a few years back and decided to paint it. The home is called "Windswept". I'll bet sitting on that front porch facing the Atlantic Ocean, one can partake of the most marvelous of wind currents!

This painting is available. Please email me at maryannejacobsen@aol.com for more info and thanks for looking!

"Peaceful Port", 11x14, oil on panel , Maine art, Port Clyde, Tennant's Harbor, St. George, seaside village, fisherman's village, back in time, Maryanne Jacobsen art, original art

"Peaceful Port", 11x14, oil on panel (Click on photo to see the image better)

This is a little dead-end path in the tiny little village of Port Clyde, Maine.  We visited there on our way to spending a few days on Monhegan Island at the Island Inn. We flew from Florida into Boston, and then had a long drive ahead of us to get to Port Clyde. We had our reasons for flying into Boston, mainly because we were going to spend the latter part of our trip in Cape Ann. Anyhow, at 10 PM we were still driving the tiny back roads of Maine trying to find the village of Port Clyde. Its was incredibly foggy that June evening and with the fog as thick as pea soup we could barely see two feet in front of the car. To add to the drama, neither one of us had any cell phone service and never having been there before, we feared we were lost without our navigation device.

I finally convinced my husband to pull into a random driveway, and I tentatively knocked on a front door to ask for directions. The chap who answered the door looked at me suspiciously until he realized I was truly lost. He gave us directions , and fortunately we weren't too far off the beaten track. We arrived at  The Seaside Inn around midnight, amidst thick fog, and in looking for the driveway to the Seaside Inn we almost drove right into Muscongus Bay! Scary! The boat ramp there is right in front of the hotel driveway and there is no sign warning you that  you are at water's edge!

Anyhow, the whole area of St. George, Tennant's Harbor and Port Clyde is a throw- back in time, brimming with charm and character and the salty old smells of the sea. I hope to return there again one day!

If you are interested in this painting, please send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.

"Coffee, Mohair and Moi", 16x20, oil on gallery-wrapped canvas, coffee, paintings for coffee shops, paintings of women in hats, beautiful women, collectible art, coffee break

"Coffee, Mohair and Moi", 16x20, oil on gallery-wrapped canvas

This painting was recently featured at the Haggin Museum's stunning show, "Full Sun, American Women Artists Illuminate the Haggin Museum".

It was an honor to have one of my paintings hang in a museum amongst the like of Henry Watrous, Mary Cassatt, William Merrit Chase, Albert Bierstadt and other greats!

We were asked to use one of the paintings of the old Master's as an inspiration for a new work of our own, and I chose Watrous' Sophistication as the vehicle for my inspiration.

Check it out:

In my essay for the exhibit, I wrote the following:
 In “Coffee, Mohair, and Moi”, a modern-day fashionista exudes perfume, glamour, and quiet sophistication as she sips her latte in a coffee shop. Seemingly overdressed for a coffee break, one wonders why she is there. Her ensemble indicates that it has been thoughtfully put together with incredible care, and even her manicured fingernails are color-coordinated to demonstrate her fashion savoir-faire. This painting was inspired by Henry Wilson Waltrous’s “Sophistication”, and is an attempt to portray his subject in a contemporary light. Painted about a century ago, in “Sophistication” Waltrous employed dark-colored clothing in his femme fatale against a light, superficial background. In the modern interpretation, the artist chose light-colored clothing against a darker background to demonstrate more starkly the contrast of the times. The title Waltrous gave his painting for its exhibition at the Nation Academy of Design in 1908 was “A Cup of Tea, a Cigarette, and She” - implying the presence of an unseen male admirer. The modern painting’s title reflects a play on words as well, reflecting the self- indulgence and personal absorption often attributed to American women of today, hence the use of the word ‘Moi’ in the title.

This painting is framed in a gorgeous designer floater frame and is now available. Please contact  me at maryannejacobsen@aol.com, if you would like more information on this work.

"Summer Moonrise", 12x24, oil on board, Impressionism, California trees, eucalyptus trees, Maryanne Jacobsen art, Moonrise, summer moon

"Summer Moonrise", 12x24, oil on board (please click on the painting to better see the texture within)

If you read my blog, you'll know that I have an ongoing love for eucalyptus trees. They have a lyrical quality in the way they nod carry themselves- sometimes nodding their heads like naughty children and more often then not curling and twisting like a dancer performing a strange adagio.

This is another painting of a eucalyptus cluster. it was painted on a board and has soft muted colors and texture throughout.

Feel free to contact me at maryannejacobsen@aol.com, if you are interested in this painting.

"Prairie Gal", 16x16, oil on wrapped canvas, women in hats, green shawl, Spanish Point, Light and shadow, Maryanne Jacobsen Fine Art

"Prairie Gal", 16x16, oil on wrapped canvas

This beautiful gal modeled for a group of us artists a few years back at Historic Spanish Point, in Osprey, Florida. She stood against the door of the old boathouse, just as the afternoon sun was sending wonderful diagonal patterns against the shadowed walls. A piece of light from her white blouse reflected back up into the underside of her nose, and the effect was captivating.

I knew I'd get around to painting her again eventually. Just surprised that it took about 5 years!

For additional information about this painting, email me at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.

"Island Walkers", 28x16, oil on board, Monhegan Island, misty mornings, morning walk, Maine art, islands in the Atlantic, Maryanne Jacobsen art

"Island Walkers", 28x16, oil on board (Note: If you click on the image you can better see the brushwork.)

This is a painting of well-worn path on Monhegan Island, off the coast of Maine. The island is a special, almost magical place. I've only been there twice, but those visits left me with abundant memories of the island's quirky character  and raw beauty.

This was painted from a photograph that I took one misty, June morning. The lilacs were blooming everywhere and a bed of red tulips drew my attention as the reds stood out vibrantly in the low contrast atmosphere.

Please contact me at maryannejacobsen@aol.com if you would like more information about the painting.

"Periwinkle Hydrangeas and Plums", 12x16, oil on copper panel, hydrangea, paintings on copper, impasto florals, sunflower paintings, paintings with texture, Maryanne Jacobsen art

"Periwinkle Hydrangeas and Plums", 12x16, oil on copper panel (Note: If you click on the image, you can better see the impasto in the painting)

This summer I have done some additional experimentation with painting on copper panels. There is a wonderful patina that peeks through the painting in the areas that you don't paint. Sort of like a warm underpainting, only better. The problem with painting on copper is that it is slippery and the paint does not adhere to it the way it would to a canvas or linen panel. That being said, I enjoy the challenge of the slippery surface and feel as though I am getting better at handling it.

The painting above was painted with mostly a palette knife, so it's loaded with thick impasto, adding to  the special effects of the copper!

I set up the still life on my lanai (Florida word for (patio), and finished it in my air-conditioned studio.

Here's my set-up:

I am thinking that I'll do a few more florals on copper before I use the copper for figurative work.

If you would like to purchase this painting, it is available through Gallery444 in San Francisco. Phone number is (415) 434-4477. Thanks for looking!

"Invitation", 22x28, oil on wrapped canvas, paintings of courtyards, Provence, wine, happy places, sunlit alcoves, Maryanne Jacobsen art, impressionism

"Invitation", 22x28, oil on wrapped canvas

Whenever the dog days of a Florida summer get me down, I endeavor to find that special place in a different part of the world, where I can escape the humidity and torrid heat of Florida summers.

In this case I chose aa shadowy alcove in a sunlit courtyard, shaded from the heat but still fragrant with summer scents and lit with warm reflected light. It could be anywhere in Greece, Italy, Provence, maybe.

But wherever it is, it is a happy place and I am going to stay there for a while with my glass of wine!

Subscribe to my website newsletter and receive a very special savings on this painting for a limited time only. Just click this link to subscribe and you will start receiving my newsletters and special offers right away.

Thanks for stopping by!

"Riot of Color", 9x12 oil on panel, St. Paul de Venice, palette knife paintings, paintings of doorways

"Riot of Color", 9x12 oil on panel

A quick little palette knife painting of a scene from St. Paul de Venice, France.

Purchase inquiries at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.

"Day Lily Cottage", 9x12, oil on panel, carriage house, Pennsylvania landscapes, Amish country, Day Lillies, summer, impressionism, Maryanne Jacobsen Fine Art

"Day Lily Cottage", 9x12, oil on panel

I painted this scene recently while visiting Pennsylvania's Amish country. The carriage house sat back from the road and was surrounded by an abundance of day lillies.  A day lily is so named because the flower that opens in the morning only lasts one day! This would be sad if the lillies were not so prolific!

Anyhow, here is my plein air sketch of the scene:

I used water-soluble oils when I was traveling last week, but decided to re-paint the scene using traditional oils. The water-soluble oils are great for traveling, but I'll never give up my traditional oils.

"Summer Courtyard", 12x16, oil on panel, Provence, courtyard, bougainvillea, impressionism

"Summer Courtyard", 12x16, oil on panel

The cool light in an afternoon courtyard.... Summer is at its height and the lush bougainvillea vines trail lethargically from the ancient buildings . The dazzling light  from a nearby hillside erupts suddenly into the tiny courtyard and a songbird's call breaks the warm silence.

It's summer. It's Provence. And everything is beautiful.

For purchase  information regarding this painting, please send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.

"Sundown, Balboa Park", 16x20, San Diego, Balboa Park, architecture, San Diego tourism, museums, Maryanne Jacobsen art , impressionism

"Sundown, Balboa Park", 16x20

Balboa Park is an exceptionally wonderful place to visit when in San Diego. The museums and festivals are exceptional, and there's even an area designated for the artist community.

I originally tried to paint this scene en plein air, but became overwhelmed by everything that was going on in the scene. So I snapped a photo and used it for a reference. I loved the backlit late afternoon sky against the contrasting architecture of the buildings.

Don't miss the opportunity to visit the park if you ever land in San Diego!

"Feeling Blessed", 11x14, oil on panel, blessings, light and shadow, impressionist paintings, floral arrangements in paint, Greg McLogan, James1:17, Maryanne Jacobsen art

"Feeling Blessed", 11x14, oil on panel

The painting above is a self-portrait of sorts in that I have often looked back over my life and considered my many blessings. Some people have said I live a charmed life. Others declare that I am fortunate, or lucky. So what's the difference between being lucky and being blessed?

Below, I quote the words of author/writer Greg McLogan from his blog "Simple and Deep" because he has summed up this simple truth in a way that I myself could not articulate.

"I have learned that there is a huge difference between thinking and saying I’m just lucky or believing I am blessed. It lies in the difference in the mindset and heart of being one or the other. Being lucky is the idea that by chance, something in the universe made a situation go in your favor. Being blessed is attributing a given situation to the goodness of God or another person. I keep myself in the mindset of being blessed, because I know that things happen a reason, rather than the mindset that things happen by random chance. So to be a Christian, is to believe that there’s no such thing as luck. Saying it was luck or attributing everything to luck denies that God is in control. The credit for everything good that happens to us is God’s. There’s no such thing as luck, because God is alive and well. He cares about us, and wants to be involved in every area of our lives."- Greg McLogan

Finally, I love this quote from the Bible reminding us that every good thing comes down from the Father Of Lights above: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.- James1:17

"The Gate of the Year", 16x20, oil on linen, Minnie Louise Haskins, King George VI, Christmas address, gates, darkness, paintings inspired by poetry, Maryanne Jacobsen art

"The Gate of the Year", 16x20, oil on linen

This painting was inspired by a poem by Minnie Louise Haskins, (1875-1957).

It was recited by radio to a troubled nation by King George VI, the reigning monarch of England during the time when Great Britain was at war.

The Third Reich of Nazi Germany had ruled in Germany since Hitler took over in 1933.  Germany had become a fascist totalitarian state and the Hitler regime had spread terror across Europe.  In September 1939, Great Britain had entered the Second World War.  And in three months, the nation was gripped in the clutches of fear.  With every air-raid siren that pierced the ears of the English people, anxiety increased and fear overwhelmed them.  Uncertainty for the New Year reigned in the hearts and minds of Great Britain’s citizens.

In December 1939, as was the English custom, the king addressed the nation on a BBC radio broadcast on Christmas Day, and, in the uncertain last days of 1939, the king spoke words of peace to calm his nation. He reminded them of the only true King, the One who can provide true peace and real rest in such troubled times.  As King George concluded his message of encouragement, he read the preamble of a poem that had been brought to his attention by his young daughter, Princess Elizabeth.

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”

And he replied:

“Go out into the darkness and put your hand in the Hand of God.  That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night. And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

I hope you enjoy this painting, and thank-you, Ms. Haskins, for the inspiration.

"Wish You Were Here", 11x14, oil on panel, Maryanne Jacobsen art, Galer Winery and Estate, Peonies, paintings of peonies, wine, Kennett Square attractions, Chester County Wineries, still life, impressionism, AirBnB

SOLD

"Wish You Were Here", 11x14, oil on panel

My husband and I have been using Airbnb and VRBO for years. With very few exceptions we have been very happy with these sites, which offer an eclectic array of alternatives to hotels.

A recent trip took us to a lovely Cottage on the grounds of the Galer Winery and Estate near Longwood Gardens in Chester County, Pa.

The cottage overlooks the vineyard, and it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy nature. The peonies were blooming and we were greeted by bouquets of peonies in our room when we arrived. The interior is charming and quite cozy, and we loved the views from the window and front porch. The booking also provides for a complimentary wine tasting!

I couldn't resist setting up a little still life using the peonies to full advantage, as you can see from the finished painting above.

I hate telling about the little gems that we have found along our winding roads, but this one was just too good not to brag about. If you are looking for a great place to stay for a romantic weekend in the Brandywine Valley, I highly recommend this little gem of a cottage!

If you would like to purchase my painting, "Wish you were Here", just follow this link and use the PayPal button. And if you like my work, don't forget to follow me on Instagram and sign up for my newsletter through my website.

Playing Dress-up, 12x16, oil on linen, paintings of children, costume, little girls in costume, Princess Anna, Maryanne Jacobsen art

"Playing Dress-up", 12x16, oil on linen

A recent visit from my California family brought about a slight dilemma. What to do with a two and a half year old on a day that was just not right for the beach or pool? A quick Google search  and I discovered the Sarasota Children's Garden in downtown Sarasota.

It was just the thing for an overcast day with little fantasy gardens, a make-believe dragon and pirate ship and special dress-up room for all sorts of imaginings. The dress-up room proved to be the hidden treasure. As a true "Frozen " aficionado , Zoey had no trouble locating a Princess Anna gown from the racks of little girl costumes.

Though not quite the perfect fit, it nevertheless did not hamper Zoey from imagining her magic realm. I was only too glad to be one of her Highness's royal subjects!

"Country Inn Warmth", 12x16, oil on panel, interior, Duling-Kurtz Inn, country inns, Bed and breakfast, Maryanne Jacobsen art, Chester County Pennsylvania, fireside

"Country Inn Warmth", 12x16, oil on panel

The Duling Kurtz Inn in Exton , Pennsylvania has a fascinating history. It is located in beautiful Chester County , Pa. and is well over a hundred years old.

Named after two woman, Edith Duling Carr drove her horse and wagon to Market in Wilmington, Delaware where she sold live chickens, eggs, and vegetables in the open market square. She married Robert H. Carr, who left farming to establish a regional milk transporting company in Frazer, and raised a family of five boys and one girl. "Aunt Edith" resided in Chester County for the most of her 85 years.

Lena E. Kurtz Knauer, one of eight children born to a miller's family, was raised in the Morgantown, Pennsylvania area. During her youth, while homesteading in North Dakota with her sister, she rode horseback through the West selling cosmetics to Indians.  In her twilight years "Aunt Lena" entertained visitors regularly at St. Peter's Village with her musical saw and made several appearances on national television, playing her unique instrument.  She was, in fact, a very colorful citizen of Chester County where she lived most of her 90 years.

Duling-Kurtz House and Country Inn is named in honor of these two fine ladies whose love, strength and character deeply touched and wonderfully influenced so many lives.

My husband and I had the occasion to stay at the Inn recently while visiting Chester County, Pa. When we entered the reception area, there was a hearty fire roaring in the the fireplace. There were flowers on the coffee table and oranges in a bowl. It felt wonderful on this chilly, rainy, spring day.

I snapped a quick photo of the reception area and painted it last week. There is also a restauranton the premises which has exceptional food.

Thanks for looking and do visit the Duling -Kurtz Inn and Restaurant if you are in the Exton, Pennsylvania area!

"Peaches and Cream", 16x20, oil on linen, Mother's Day gifts, impressionist floral, peaches, roses

"Peaches and Cream", 16x20, oil on linen

This lovely floral was painted a while back and also received an honorable mention in an exhibit.

It would make a lovely gift for Mother's Day and is also available framed. Please send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com if you would like purchasing information.

"This Table is Reserved", 12x16, oil on paper on panel, Paintings of table settings, drawing room, old world charm, Zorn palette, alizarin crimson, interiors

"This Table is Reserved", 12x16, oil on paper on panel

This was a study with a limited palette, using colors I don't normally use. It was basically a Zorn palette, but I added Ultramarine Blue as well. I used Yellow ochre for my yellow, and normally I rarely use ochre. I prefer Indian yellow for its vibrancy and transparency.

I also used Alizarin Crimson, which is a color I've disliked for a long time. Alizarin Crimson is preferred by most painters, to the point where it is considered almost sacred! I can definitely paint without it. It's a muddy red, quite fugitive, and as such it does not mix well with other colors. I much prefer Permanent rose.

I also used black, which I refused to use for many years. But I'm actually beginning to like it as I grow older. Maybe because I am getting lazy. It's easy to create a cold dark, but a warm dark is a bit harder. Black makes it simple.

At any rate, using a limited and rather dull palette set the stage for what I was trying to create in this study, which was basically an old world look, like stepping into a drawing room of the late 1800's.

It's good to experiment with different palettes and techniques, and I feel like I've grown a lot since the days when I refused to put earthy ochre, ugly old black and muddy alizarin on my palette!

"Miller Road Springhouse", 11x14, oil on panel, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, springhouse, forsythia, Chester County Pennsylvania, Miller Road, Foxhunt country, Dr. Don Rosato, antique carriages, red fox, plein air paintings, Maryanne JAcobsen art, country roads

"Miller Road Springhouse", plein air, 11x14, oil on panel

For many years I took ballet class on a daily basis. It wasn't a chore, it was something I absolutely loved to do. It refreshed and challenged and nourished  me. It conditioned my body and brought joy to that spiritual part of me that just wanted to soar. My favorite part of ballet class was of course the grande allegro. This is where I could soar through the air in leaps called grande jetes and attempt to move the way a bird travels across the sky!

At any rate, those days are well over, but I still recall when I would stop taking class for a week or two or even a month due to unpredictable circumstances- injury, vacation, family obligations.... whatever.

There was a saying amongst dancers that when you stopped taking class for three weeks, it would take you six weeks to get back into shape. So for example, if I were to try to go back to ballet class now, it would take me 30 years to get back to the condition I was in when I quit.

Lol. At 66, it's probably not worth it!

Anyhow, I experienced a little bit of the same thing recently, when I went back to plein air painting after taking about 6 months off.

It could have been a total disaster as I contemplated giving up over and over again in that first half hour as I struggled with paint mixtures and finding the right brushes.

But luckily, I happened to be in my happy place- Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, just a short mile or so from where I once lived, and I was not about to let the opportunity go to waste.

You see, I live in Florida now, and it's not often that I get to paint Spring expressing herself in bright golden forsythia bushes along a winding road with a stream and springhouse plopped along the way.

So I scraped the painting down and started again. The long afternoon tree shadows kept showing up on my canvas as I tried to paint and I had to keep turning my easel to get out of their way, which meant I had to look backwards at my scene.

As my neck got stiff from looking backwards, I finally gave up trying to avoid tree shadows and just turned the easel into the scene.

You truly never know what kind of treasures you'll see when you happen to be painting along Miller Road.

At one point, a red fox came strutting up the road, right past me, with a mouse or something tucked in his mouth. He was not in any hurry, so I had a chance to grab the camera and catch a quick shot as he headed up the hill.

Next, the storied Dr. Don Rosato and his friends came by in one of  the doctor's handsome carriages.

Dr. Rosato  is well known and respected in the fox hunt community. He lives nearby on St. Matthews Rd. and his colorful history and beautiful carriages are a permanent fixture in this tiny bucolic community. He waved as he passed my easel and I managed to get another quick shot in.

Jeez. Was I having good day or what? Imagine if I had given up, thrown my gear in the car and drove away?

So even though I was out of practice and discouraged at the outset I persevered and had an absolutely marvelous afternoon!

If you would like to purchase, "Miller Road Springhouse", just send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.

Thanks for visiting my blog!

"Summer Reverie", 16x20, oil on panel, garden party, wine, flowers, garden scenes, Maryanne Jacobsen art

"Summer Reverie", 16x20, oil on panel

I was very pleased to receive a First Place award recently in the North Port Art Center's "Garden Party" exhibit.

To paint the scene, I set up  a table with some flowers and a glass of wine out on my lanai, near the pool.

I then did a 12 x16 inch plein air sketch out doors and used the sketch and the photo to create the larger painting.

If you would like purchase information about this painting, please send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.

Happy Spring!

A Walk in Central Park, 9x12, oil on panel, palette knife paintings, Central Park, impasto, Maryanne Jacobsen art, sale, small studies

"A Walk in Central Park", 9x12, oil on panel

Spring is here and in spite of a dreadful winter, the trees will soon be filled with blossoms in Central Park, and couples will best rolling arm in arm.

I haven't painted with a palette knife in a long while, but yesterday I was in the mood, so I revisited a scene I had painted years ago.

It was fun.

This was a quick study, and I am offering it today for only $99, with free shipping. Just click the "Buy Now" button at this link.

"Autumn Reflections", 12x16, oil, Birchrunville Pennsylvania, autumn landscapes, Impressionism, French Creek, Sheeder Hall Bridge, Maryanne Jacobsen art

SOLD

"Autumn Reflections", 12x16, oil

Another study- this time I was working on reflections. Reflections can be tricky and although I am an all prima painter typically, I had to wait until the painting dried in order to get the reflections the way that I wanted them.

This is one of those impressionist paintings that look great from across the room, and then when you get close, it's just a bunch of color notes.

I have painted this beautiful scene before. It is French Creek near the Sheeder Hall Bridge in Birchrunville, PA.

Feel free to send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com if you would like to have pricing information on this painting.

"Misty Riverbed", 12x16, oil study, chicken coop, Clifton Tennessee, riverbed, morning mist, small studies

"Misty Riverbed", 12x16, oil study

I struggled with this piece for sometime before finally calling it quits. Although not satisfied with it, I did learn from my struggles! I don't have much occasion to paint at misty riverbeds. A friend let me use her photo of a chicken coop in Tennessee to tackle this difficult misty scene.

This study is available. Please email me at maryannejacobsen@aol.com if you are interested.

"The Dream House", 16x20, oil, California impressionism, Santa Barbara homes, dream house, road trips, palette knife paintings, MAryanne Jacobsen art

SOLD

"The Dream House", 16x20, oil (Note: click on the image to see the detail)

This was painted over ten years ago, after I had visited California for the first time. We took a road trip up the coast , starting in San Diego and ending in San Francisco, and oh what a road trip it was!

One of my best memories was a short stop at Santa Barbara for lunch overlooking a harbor and then a ride up into the mountains where the vistas were beautiful and the homes were opulent.

A brief stop at a tiny monastery, found us staring at this statue and engraving which read,

"I am a man. No men are foreigners to me. Of one blood are all nations."

Further up the mountain , the roads became steeper and more narrow and the scenery even more dramatic. I stopped and snatched a photo of this lovely home, nestled under the shadow of the mountains :

So that home became the subject of my painting, "The Dream House".

This painting is available, please send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com if interested in this work.

"Windows to the Past", 16x20, oil on panel, historic yellow springs, art school road, Washington Building, The Inn at Yellow Springs, Pennsylvania Impressionism, Maryanne Jacobsen Fine Art, mineral springs, Philadelphia area art, dappled light, weddings at The Washington, Wedding venues

"Windows to the Past", 16x20, oil on panel

This is a side view of the Washington Building in the historic village of Yellow Springs, about 30 miles west of Philadelphia. Although once called Yellow Springs, the village is located in what is now known as Chester Springs, Pa.- an area of rolling hills and underground springs and beautiful gentlemen's farms. I once lived in this gentle area, and it holds many beautiful memories for me, which is why I often come back and paint here whenever I am visiting Pennsylvania.

In times past, wealthy Philadelphians would travel by coach or train to vacation in the village of Yellow Springs, where they could bathe in the iron springs that still permeate much of the area, and from which the village derived its name. Supposedly the iron springs were a boon to one's health, and so the village became a spa of sorts. But the spa era was long after the Revolutionary war, when General Washington used the old tavern as a temporary headquarters for his troops.

Originally a tavern, the Washington Building has gone through numerous transitions and additions over the centuries. When I lived in Chester Springs, the Washington Building was known as The Inn at Yellow Springs, and it was a favorite haunt of the locals for fine food and great wine. Speaking of haunts, the building was also reputed to house a few ghosts left over from the years when the grounds supported a hospital for the wounded troops. My son worked as a weekend waiter at the Inn when he was in high school, and he would come home with firsthand stories of the ghostly noises that were heard by the staff on any particular evening.

Front view of the Washington Building

Spooky, yes. Old and historic- yes as well. But the architectural beauty of the building is what enchants me most and brings me back time after time for a new painting session. The view I captured on this particular occasion is a side view at late afternoon, showing the long porch that connects the Washington Building to its neighbor, the Lincoln Building. The little courtyard  has a bench for musing, and  a sculpture of a blue heron, which I've also painted before. Directly up the path from this view is a small herbal medicinal garden, dating from the days when it provided medicine of sorts for the sick and wounded. Just beyond that is the ruins of the old hospital, and directly across the street is the gazebo that housed the iron springs where the wealthy and healthy bathed.

View of gazebo that housed the iron springs

View of steps leading from courtyard to the old hospital ruins

Quixotic as the springs were, I suppose it was their dark, orangey-colored waters that attracted the attention of General Washington in the first place! I can attest to the fact that in the 14 years that I lived directly up the road in Chester Springs, my hair was orange from the well water that I bathed in!

Up the road a short distance is the art school, where famous painters and students from the Academy of Fine Arts would travel in the summertime to take advantage of the beautiful surroundings and paint en plein air. Indeed, the tiny road that houses all this history is called Art School Road, and residents have worked hard to preserve the quaint beauty and historic significance of the tiny village.

Well, if you enjoyed learning about the historic village of Yellow Springs, do visit the village's website here where you can learn about tours and art lessons and much more history!

This painting is available for purchase for $1500. Please send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com, if interested in purchasing this window to the past.

"Gibson Girl",16x16, oil, first place, award-winning paintings, figurative, portrait, Gibson Girl, Maryanne Jacobsen art, paintings of women, Venice Art Center

"Gibson Girl",16x16, oil

I was so very delighted to receive a first place award last week for my painting, "Gibson Girl", 16x16, oil on wrapped linen. Out of over a hundred entries, mine was chosen for the top award at the Venice Art Center's Spring Member's show in Venice, Florida.

According to Wikipedia, "The Gibson Girl was the personification of the feminine ideal of physical attractiveness as portrayed by the pen-and-ink illustrations of artist Charles Dana Gibson during a 20-year period that spanned the late 19th and early 20th century in the United States and Canada.^[1] The artist saw his creation as representing the composite of "thousands of American girls."

Here is a picture of Gibson's pen and ink sketch, "Gibson Girls at the Beach".

I was happy with the way the  painting turned out, but it is always a special thrill when another artist recognizes its merit as well. A special thank-you to artist Ron Goulet , who is a wonderful artist in his own right, and who was the juror for the event. His comments about the painting were the following: “Remarkable handling of color and composition calls you across the room and does not disappoint up close; excellent collectible piece of art.”

Here is a better photo of the painting:

This painting is available for purchase for $1600, framed as shown above. Please send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com, if you are interested in purchasing this painting.

"The Scent of Summer", 12x16, oil, palette knife florals, MAryanne Jacobsen art, roses, impressionistic florals, contemporary art, Palm Avenue Fine art, Sarasota Florida art

"The Scent of Summer", 12x16, oil

Worn down by winter? This painting will get you in the mood for warmer weather!

It is available through Palm Avenue Fine Art gallery in Sarasota, Florida. Please call the gallery at 941-388-7526 for pricing information, and add some warmth to your home!

"Peach Blush", 12x24, oil on birch panel, paintings of eucalyptus trees, California eucalyptus, sunset blush, Maryanne Jacobsen art, California landscapes, impressionism

"Summer Moonrise", 12x24, oil on birch panel

My love affair with eucalyptus trees continues with "Peach Blush". These trees remind me of ballet dancers- willowy and graceful. Their limbs are evocative of the épaulement of a ballet dancer, demonstrating style and mystery as they bend from their twisting, bending trunks in much the same way a dancer uses her shoulders, neck and head to create different illusions of carriage.

This was painted with palette knife only, and has beautiful passages of impasto throughout.

To see more of my paintings of eucalyptus trees, please visit my website at Maryanne Jacobsen Fine Art.