"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!

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.

"Afternoon Shadows, Cortez Fishing Village", plein air , 11x14, Cortez Fishing Village, Starfish Grill, plein air, Old Florida, Gulf Coast

 "Afternoon Shadows, Cortez Fishing Village", plein air , 11x14

This was painted back in 2016 at the scenic little Cortez Historic Fishing Village, on Florida's Gulf Coast.

After first asking permission to paint of two men who seemed to be part of the place, I set up my easel right at the edge of the water, behind where you see the figure in my painting. I selected a great composition of two boats and the little fish shack that lies in the distance on the water as my composition, and had begun painting when someone came along and said, "Lady, you'll have to move so we can load the barge."

Well, of course! This is plein air and this is a working fishing village. So I packed up all my gear and moved to the foot of the walkway that goes up to the covered pier.

It turns out that the two men who I'd asked permission of were somewhat (I'm being kind) inebriated and had no work connection to the place at all. They stood nearby as I painted all afternoon and discussed politics, terrorism and how to change the world. It was different from listening to the gulls screech and I found after a while that I was kind of glad they were there. One even offered me a live starfish, which I dropped to the ground after realizing it was alive. You can see one of these friendly characters in my photo below.

I do miss painting in the great outdoors! The world is alive when you paint it from life. 

I haven't been to Cortez in a very long time. We used to eat lunch at the Starfish Grill, but I'm to even sure if it's still there or not. Check out this scenic little fishing spot if you are ever in Manatee County. It's definitely Old Florida!

"Napa Garden", 11x14, oil, Napa valley, paintings of gardens, A good year, wineries, chardonnay, Sterling vineyards, Gallery444, San Francisco, oil paintings

"Napa Garden", 11x14, oil

There are few things that feed my soul like beautiful gardens, flowers, and glorious sunshine. A little chardonnay is additional icing on the cake. 

My hubby and I had so much fun a few years back when we took a trip out to California and visited Napa and Sonoma Valley wineries. There were so many wine tastings that I can't even remember the names of the wineries anymore.

We took an aerial ride up to Sterling vineyards and had a wonderful lunch there overlooking the breathtaking vistas below us.

Our little Airbnb was beautiful and we took time to visit one of my galleries that represent me in San Francisco- Gallery 444.

Overall, it was an amazing trip, and one of many we've enjoyed over the years since our son moved to California years ago.

Although having loved ones living far away can  make us grandmothers feel sad at times (I miss my grandkids), there are some benefits to having kids live in lovely places!

Thanks for visiting my blog.

 

"Petals and Coffee", 11x14, oil on linen, impressionist florals, roses, serenity, cherries, coffee, MAryanneJacobsen fine art, Impressionism

 "Petals and Coffee", 11x14, oil on linen

I am happy to say that this impressionist floral was juried into the American Impressionist Society's National Exhibit last fall, and has also just been juried into the American Women Artists annual online exhibit!

I enjoyed telling the story of these roses through paint strokes while evoking a peaceful atmosphere through the softly painted background. 

At the last minute, I decided to add the cherries to add more color harmony to the foreground.

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

"Another Degas Moment", 11x14, oil , paintings of dancers, ballet, dance art, after the show, afterglow, ballerina painting, the life of a dancer, tutu

 "Another Degas Moment", 11x14, oil 

I had painted this same scene about ten years ago, and decided to have another go at it. This was the result.

I remember that warm, wonderful glow that myself and my dancers felt after a successful performance. At West Chester Ballet Theatre, the company danced different ballets each year, with the exception of the Nutcracker which was an annual event and treat.

When you get a standing ovation at the end of a show, you know that all that hard work was worth it! Knowing you did your very best, and the audience loved it, lets the dancer know  it's time to rest those weary feet.

Those were special years when I was Artistic Director of West Chester Ballet Theatre, and these many years later, I still stay in contact with many of my students and their families.

Email me at maryannejcaobsen@aol.com, if you have any interest in this painting.

"Old Bard playing his Kobza", 11x14, oil on linen, Ukraine, Paintings of Ukrainian people, old bard, Kobza, Ukrainian guitar, portraits of people, musician

 "Old Bard playing his Kobza", 11x14, oil on linen

I painted this one years ago, and put it away, because I didn't like it. Yesterday, I took it out and looked at it, and realized it was actually a lovely painting that just needed a little tender , loving care. So I re-worked some passages and decided to call it done.

A Kobza, is a Ukrainian guitar, similar to a lute. With the Ukrainian war still  in full swing after all this time, I thought it would be apropos to post this painting, reflecting the culture and costume of the Ukrainian people.

This painting is available for sale through my website at https://maryannejacobsenfineart.com

"Cypress Cove", 11x14, oil on linen panel, paintings of Point Lobos, California seascapes, Carmel California. Pacific Ocean, nature preserves, beautiful nature preserves, cypress trees

"Cypress Cove", 11x14, oil on linen panel

Cypress Cove is located along the Cypress Trail in Point Lobos, a nature preserve in beautiful Carmel , California. The trail is one of the most popular in the park and contains the Old Veteran, a 200+ year old cypress tree with a wide girth.

Point Lobos is eye candy for artists, and I have painted numerous scenes here, including Pinnacle Point and China Cove.

Painting en plein air here is a treat, and the sounds of the sea lions are a lovely accompaniment to the crashing surf.

This painting is the only painting of Point Lobos that I currently have that is available. If you are interested in purchasing the painting, please contact me at maryannejacobsen@aol.com

"Summer Waterwheel", 11x14, oil on panel waterwheel, Radnor Township Pennsylvania , Eastern University, summer, Philadelphia Main Line, St. Davids Pennsylvania

 "Summer Waterwheel", 11x14, oil on panel.

The waterwheel at Eastern University in Radnor Pennsylvania is gorgeous in every season. I was fortunate to discover this beautiful campus while taking a ballet course there many years ago. Later on, my youngest son would attend Eastern for 2years, and so I had numerous opportunities to explore its delightfully beautiful campus. This is a fresh version of a scene that I did about 8 years ago.

It's always fun for me to revisit scenes that I've painted before in the hopes that I've made progress as a painter. Here is the 8 year old version of the first time I painted this scene.

I think I did a pretty good job painting the scene back in 2014!

Thanks for visiting, and hope you'll leave a comment and tell me what you think.

"Dappled Forest", 11x14, oil on masonite panel, Brandywine river, dappled forest, light and shadow, impressionist paintings. paintings of trees

 "Dappled Forest",11x14, oil on masonite

A few years ago, during a trip to Pennsylvania, I took a walk along the Brandywine River. The morning light was dappled along the path and into the trees along the river. I took a picture of the scene because it was so beautiful.

Yesterday, I painted it. I remember there was someone fishing along the river that day. I hope I can find the picture of the fisherman, because I would like to try to repaint the scene with the fisherman in it.

This was an experimental painting. I started out by shut throwing a lotto big shapes on the panel to see if I could find my way back into the scene. I think I did. So now I'll try a bigger one, hopefully with a fisherman in it.

If you would like to purchase this painting , it is on special this week for only $200. Use this link to purchase directly from my website. 

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Lady in Red, 11x14, oil on linen, paintings of beautiful women, lady in red, Short Dog Studio, red hats, Bill Taylor Photography, Beth Bathe studios, Maryanne Jacobsen fine art

 "Lady in Red", 11x14, oil on linen-$400

It's been almost 2 months since I broke my clavicle, and slowly but surely I am starting to paint again. This was yesterday's effort and by the end of the day I was totally spent and aching. But it was worth it. I enjoyed doing this one very much.

Another great big thank-you goes out to Bethe Bathe and Bill Taylor Photography in Ephrata, Pa. for allowing artists to paint from their portfolio of amazing photographs taken at Short Dog Studio. The models are always beautiful and costumes and poses are yummy.

Please send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com, if you are interested in purchasing this painting.

"Cape Garden", 11x14, oil on linen, gardens on Cape Cod, Provincetown garden

"Cape Garden", 11x14, oil on linen

The garden's on Cape Ann and Cape Cod re simply sumptuous in the summertime. I think the beautiful weather conditions and gorgeous sunlight up there in Massachusetts contribute to an abundance of blooms of every color and variety imaginable.

This garden was a highlight of a trip to Provincetown a few years ago  when I was up there for a show with American Women Artists at The Addison Gallery. Unfortunately the short trip up the Cape to Provincetown resulted in me not attending the opening night of the exhibit as there was an accident that closed the one highway for hours on end. But it was kind of worth it and this painting was the result.

This painting can be purchased through my website here. Thanks for visiting my blog!

"First Light, La Jolla Shores, 11x14, oil on linen, La Jolla shoreline, La Jolla California, Sunrise, paintings of La Jolla, lifeguard station, beauty of California

"First Light, La Jolla Shores, 11x14, oil on linen

Artists talk about capturing an "Ahah!" moment. I recall feeling that excitement of discovering an ahah moment during our last trip to California. My husband and I often stay in La Jolla because of the early morning walks that we so love to take along the shoreline. One one such morning, it was pretty early and as the sun broke through the horizon, it cast a beautiful light on the Lifeguard Tower. The rest of the landscape was still dark, only the Lifeguard station and the distant waves became lit up like firecrackers.

Here's the photo that I took:

We usually start our walk down by the caves, and here's a photo of the trees over the caves that morning:

 When things go back to "normal", I can't wait to return to California to see my loved ones, take beautiful scenic walks, and paint, of course.

"Imagination", 11x14, oil on linen panel, floral, imagination, still life, experimental paintings

"Imagination", 11x14, oil on linen panel

Sometimes it is good to just experiment. There is a liberating quality about not caring too much how a painting will come out.

In this case, I took a painting that was unsuccessful and  covered it with an orangish wash. Then I just used my imagination to create some semblance of forms and.... Voila! A painting is made.

I didn't fret over value, color or edges. I just painted.

While this is not a masterpiece, it proves to me that 'letting go' is a good thing on my artistic journey.

"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.

"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

"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.

"Autumn in the Country", 11x14, oil on panel, plein air, Chester County, Pennsylvania landscapes, autumn color, farm scenes, original oil paintings, Maryanne Jacobsen fine art

"Autumn in the Country", 11x14, oil on panel, plein air

This was painted during a trip to Chester County. I was intrigued by the shadows on the ground and the colorful foliage.

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

"Dark Roast with Cherries", 11x14, oil on oil paper, framed, award-winning paintings, color, Maryanne Jacobsen art, floral, coffee, roses, cherries

"Dark Roast with Cherries", 11x14, oil on oil paper, framed

I was very happy to receive a Third place ribbon at the reception last week at The Visual Art Center's "Color" exhibit.

The Visual Art Center is located in Punta Gorda and offers many wonderful classes, workshops and exhibits throughout the year. Check it out here.

This painting is available. Please contact me at maryannejacobsen@aol.com, for more info about the painting.