"Sunshine on my Shoulder", 12x16, oil, portrait study, models in outdoor lighting, dappled light redhead, relaxation

 "Sunshine on my Shoulder", 12x16, oil

I loved the dappled light on the model's face in this outdoor setting, so that was the purpose of this 2 hour portrait study. I have only painted this kind of light on a face one other time, on my painting of Renaissance Child.

It's a little tricky to do, and I'm amazed that I pulled it off as well as I did in "Renaissance Child", because I was very new to painting when I painted her.

At any rate, I find these quick, non-fuss portraits very relaxing for some reason. I recall, talking to friend Tony D'Amico one time. He told me that he found sketching his amazing architectural renderings of New York City buildings very relaxing. I remarked that I would find that tortuous. 

I guess we artists all have different ways of relaxing!

Thanks for visiting my blog. Please also visit my website at https://maryannejacobsenfineart.com

"Springhouse and Forsythia", 12x16, oil on panel, plein air, plein air, Chester County Pennsylvania, country road, springhouse, first signs of spring, Chester Springs

"Springhouse and Forsythia", 12x16, oil on panel, plein air

I painted this one early spring morning on Miller Road in Chester Springs, Pa. The forsythia is one of the first signs of spring in Pennsylvania, and its yellow blossoms made a cheerful contrast against the still leafless trees, that marched like soldiers up the hill.

As I was painting the scene, an antique horse-drawn carriage full of people waved cheerily as they went by, and then I saw a red fox make a quick appearance on the road before scurrying into the shadows.

It was a wonderful day to paint outdoors, especially since I was in my old hometown on a beloved old road.

Tis painting is available. Send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com for price info.

"Old World Charm", 12x16, romantic settings, romantic restaurants, Chester County Pennsylvania, Fine dining establishments, Vickers Tavern, White Dog Cafe, Four Dog Tavern, historic restaurants

 "Old World Charm", 12x16

There's something so romantic about dining in a lovely setting, complete with candlelight, and a warm fire burning nearby. 

When I lived in Chester County, Pa., there were many historic old buildings that were converted to restaurants that had the kind of charm that made you want to fall in love all over again, even if it was only to love the sumptuous meal or the fresh flowers on the table.

My favorite restaurant in the beautiful area of Chester Springs, was Vickers Tavern, which has a rich history. From the restaurant's website we read:

"The building’s roots date back to 1823, when skilled potter and abolitionist John Vickers purchased the farmhouse. Vickers’ father, Thomas, was an abolitionist and one of the earliest and most active members of the Underground Railroad. He was one of the original members of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, formed in Philadelphia in 1777.

In 1823, John Vickers purchased five acres for $800 and constructed the building for a pottery business. Many enslaved people found sanctuary in the building, which later became Vickers Tavern, then Vickers Restaurant."

It was always a joy to go there and look for a piece of pottery to be taken home along with the remains of a delicious meal. The restaurant has since closed under the Vickers name, but is re-opening soon as another local favorite- The White Dog Cafe, which is another of my personal favorites and has locations in Wayne, Haverford and Philly.

Another favorite in the area that closed many moons ago was The Inn at Yellow Springs. With a rich history as a hospital for revolutionary war soldiers, it is known as the Washington Building in the tiny little enclave of historic buildings known as Yellow Springs. We lived nearby, and my son waitered there during his college summers, and would often come home with ghost stories of sightings and strange noises after hours.

Ghosts or not, I loved choosing that place to dine on anniversary dinners, birthdays, or what have you.

I've also painted the old building and you can read more about it's history here.

There were so many others that we would frequent regularly-The White Horse Tavern in Malvern, The General Warren Inn, Four Dogs Tavern in MArshalton, (which I've also painted) and so many others too numerous to mention.

What they all had in common was ambiance- Old World Charm, history, fresh flowers, fireplaces, mystery ghosts, and best of all- impeccably prepared food.

This blog post has reminded me of how much I miss Chester County, Pa. There is no comparison whatever here in Florida. Alas.....what started out as blog post about my painting, has turned into a trip down memory lane for me. I am definitely getting old!

If you are interested in this painting, feel free to email me at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.

Thanks for visiting my blog, and if you are visiting historic Chester County, PA., I highly recommend these restaurants.

"1969", 12x12, oil on panel, the 60's, Vietnam war, High school, hippy, Beatles, SS 396 Chevelle Super Sport, memories, Seventeen

 "1969", 12x12, oil on panel

Today is Independence Day, 2024. A long way off from 1969.

I painted this about ten years ago, and I took it out today because I was feeling  really nostalgic for the good old days. So I touched it up a little, but not too much.

I had found an old picture of myself the summer that I graduated high school, which was..... ummmmm....you guessed it- 1969!

 I was wearing a tie-dyed shirt, white culotte shorts and moccasins and sitting atop the SS 396 Super Sport Chevelle of my future husband, along with two friends, Dave and Ruth.

Those summer days were carefree and high school was over. We were Feelin' Groovy.

I was seventeen and although I know the beautiful and sad song "At Seventeen", by Janis Ian, with my long blonde hair I preferred the slapstick lyrics of Lady Godiva, by British rock group, Peter and Gordon.

Things weren't all that rosy back then, though. Just like today, there was political turbulence and war. Teenage girls like myself worried that our boyfriends would soon be drafted and sent off to war, and college campuses held protests across the country, just as we see now in a totally different war.

Life goes on. Those who did drugs experimented with Marijuana, hashish and LSD. The braver souls tried mescaline. The fearful ones drank cough syrup. Yup. We were crazy, but we loved getting together in coffee houses and talking civilly about life, war, religion and the future.

I don't know what drugs people are doing now, but I suspect they are much more dangerous, and much easier to get. I hope I'm wrong.

Those students protesting the war joined groups like Students for a Democratic Society, or took off for Haight Ashbury wearing flowers in their hair. While I was part of neither of those groups, I embroidered flowers on my bell bottom jeans and wore bells around my neck.

We favored the Beatles, The Stones, Simon and Garfunkel, Dylan and Joni Mitchell. The music of today can't come close to the genius of those musicians. 

Yes, the times they were a-changing.

I had fun painting this originally, and I even enjoyed making a few revisions today. While the times were turbulent for many reasons in 1969, they were much simpler than today. No cell phones, computers, or IA. No Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat. Jeez, we were dinosaurs! 

But if you look at the smiles on our faces from the photo below, you can tell we were happy kids. Looking forward to a bright future.

If this post made you feel old, I am sorry. Painting this made me feel happy and I wouldn't change being a teen in the 60's for anything.

Memories can make you feel young again. Or old. It's our choice how we look at it.

Here's my shameless reference photo. Yeah it was a little blurry. But it still brought  back those happy days.

This painting is available. Send me an email message at maryannejacobsen@aol.com, if interested.

Thanks for going down memory lane with me today.