"Take me Home, Country Road", 12x16, oil on canvas
For twelve years I lived in beautiful, bucolic Chester Springs, Pa., a suburb of Philadelphia in Chester County. I've painted quite a few scenes from the area, including the historic Washington Building in the tiny village of Yellow Springs, which was right down the road from my home, as well as the iconic St. Matthews Church , which sits majestically on a hill on Conestoga Road. Tucked away on tiny roads like School House Lane are little treasures, like this old home lonely in its quiet beauty amongst the ancient trees, and this old red-roofed barn along St. Matthews Rd.
It was hard for me to leave that lovely home and area, and move to Florida, but it seemed like the best decision at the time. I have yet to find the inspiration here in Florida, that I can find at my old home's setting up north in Chester Springs.
We return to the area at least once a year, and I always bring my paints along with me in order to capture the beauty of the place.
A favorite walking and biking route of ours, back when we lived there, was along Flowing Springs Rd., which is true to its name, and meanders along a little spring into the tiny town of Birchrunville, famous for its tiny Fourth of July parade and the Birchrunville Store Cafe, a quaint bistro serving delectable food to the small, privileged bunch who are able to get a reservation.
The above painting is of an old barn with a red roof on Flowing Springs as the road approaches the intersection of Hollow Road, where the Cafe (which is also a post office!) and the delightful Butterscotch Pastry Shop sit together. Indeed, if you look at my painting, the building beyond the barn is a small glimpse of the Butterscotch Pastry shop. It was an antique store when I lived in the area, but I am glad that a thriving bakery has taken its place.
In these uncertain times in which we live, there is something especially calming about familiar country roads, and little pieces of American history, like the iconic building that houses the Birchrunville Store Cafe, which was a creamery before it became a post office/ store/cafe. I only wish I could still gather together a picnic lunch, hop on my bike and head up Hollow Road towards the covered bridge that spans French Creek. Here is another painting that I did of Flowing Springs Road.
The Birchrunville Store Cafe
The Sheeder Hall Covered Bridge
Thanks for visiting my blog. If you have an interest in "Take me Home Country Road", just send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com. I hope you have a blessed Day!
