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

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"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.

"Autumn's Kiss", 12x16, oil on copper , paintings on copper, Birchrunville, Chester Springs scenes, autumn landscapes, Flowing Springs Rd. Chester County landscapes, Pennsylvania impressionism, Maryanne Jacobsen art, experimental art

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"Autumn's Kiss", 12x16, oil on copper (Note: you can click on the image to see the detail better)

This was my first attempt to paint on a copper panel. As the Mayor of River City in the musical Music Man would say, "It's slipperier than a Mississippi sturgeon!" Where linen our canvas will  grab the paint and you'll have some resistance, the paint pretty much goes on like butter. Nice, but a little difficult to control.Although it is a very slippery support to work on, I did have fun experimenting with it, and expect to do more in the future. The trick is to expect the unexpected because it is so different from working on linen or canvas.

I chose a fall landscape because I wanted to see if the copper affected color. I did miss the luminous quality of working on a pure white support, but allowing little bit of the copper to show through was pretty much akin to starting with a warm wash. We stayed at this wonderful little cottage in Chester Springs, Pa. a couple years back and the fall color in the trees was breathtaking. I recall  the crispness in the air as I painted outdoors in the October sunshine.

The light was fading fast in the late afternoon, the day that I painted on the property. I used my plein air sketch and this photo for a reference for the copper support painting.

I do think that I'll continue to experiment with copper panels. Old Masters painted on copper centuries ago! Only problem is that the copper is heavy. But if you have a good sturdy easel it's not an issue.

Here's wishing a Happy New Year to my friends and blog readers!

"Dappled Light", 16x20, oil , Historic Yellow Springs village, Maryanne Jacobsen original art,, Yellow Springs Inn, the Washington Building, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, Autumn landscapes, Pennsylvania landscapes, original art

"Dappled Light", 16x20, oil (Please click on the image for a better view)

During my recent painting trip to Pennsylvania, I had the opportunity to paint a couple times in the sweet little historic village of Yellow Springs, Pennsylvania. The weather was gorgeous and the trees were colorful and my only dilemma was choosing what to paint in the tiny village!

I decided to set up in the little courtyard between the Washington Building and the Lincoln Building, since the dappled light on the side on the Washington Building fascinated me.

As is usually the case with plein air, by the time, I set up my easel and got around to painting, the light on the building was gone and the building and courtyard were cast in shadow with the exception of the little bench.

Here is what it looked like in less than an hour's time:

Since I was unable to capture the dappled light that had first attracted me to the scene, I decided to paint the scene in my studio, using my field study and photo reference for guides.

 I was pretty happy with the outcome, and hope to do more autumn scenes in upcoming weeks from the trip to beautiful Pennsylvania.

This painting is available . Please email me at maryannejacobsen@aol.com if you have any interest in purchasing this work. And don't forget to visit my new website at Maryanne JAcobsen Fine Art.

"Long Shadows, Coverdale Farm", 12x16, oil, Coverdale FArms,, Wilmington Delaware, plein air Brandywine VAlley, farms, fall scenes, autumn landscapes

"Long Shadows, Coverdale Farm", 12x16, oil

This was the first painting that I did during the Plein Air Brandywine Valley event two weeks ago. I had painted at Coverdale last year with good results, so I thought this first painting would be a piece of cake.

As it turns out, it was a little tricky as I tried to capture the shadows from the fencing. The best thing about the location was the sheep in the pen next to me who serenaded me with his baaaaas as I painted.

The morning grew progressively warmer and I had to strip off all those layers of clothing I had put on for warmth. Overall, a perfect morning to paint!

Contact me at maryannejacobsen@aol.com if you are interested in this fall scene.

"Pumpkin Season", 10x20, oil on panel, HAskell's Farm, plein air Brandywine Valley, Children's Beach House, barns, bank barns, autumn, pumpkins, autumn landscapes, MAryanne Jacobsen art

"Pumpkin Season", 10x20, oil on panel

This is one of two paintings that I did last week on the first day of the Plein Air Brandywine Valley competition, benefiting the Children's Beach House in Lewes, Delaware. This turned out to be my favorite painting of the week because I think it epitomizes the beauty of the Brandywine Valley in October, and I felt like I was able to capture that beauty.

Fall has always been my favorite time of year and so I enjoy traveling back to my home state of Pennsylvania each year for this annual event. The problem for me that first day was choosing between painting Jaime Wyeth's fabulous property  or Haskell's Farm in Chadds Ford, which I had heard from other painters was a real treat. Since I had been to the Wyeth property before I decided on the new venture and was happily rewarded with a plethora of subjects to choose from including farm equipment, stables, horses willing to pose, an old cottage and this magnificent bank barn.I chose the barn because of the dramatic light and shadow pattern created  in the afternoon sun.

The entire week we had gorgeous weather- a treat for this Floridian who has been accustomed to wearing thick wool socks and gloves each year at the event.

If you have any interest in this painting, feel free to send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com, and thanks for visiting my blog.

"Morning Chill", 9x12, oil on linen, plein air , Coverdale Farm Preserve, Greenville, Delaware, Delaware Nature Society, Visual Art Center, Punta Gorda, Bill Farnsworth, red barns, autumn landscapes, harvest, award-winning art, MAryanne Jacobsen art

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"Morning Chill", 9x12, oil on linen, plein air (aka "October Morning")

This was painted on a frosty cold (29 degrees) morning at Coverdale Farms, near Wilmington , Delaware, during the Plein Air Brandywine Valley event last month. Coverdale Farms is a non-profit organization run by the Delaware Nature Society and it's a lovely place for artists to find inspiration. Red Barns, sheep, roosters, haybales- you name it. They were all there the morning I went there to paint, and the only dilemma was figuring out which scene to choose.

I finally chose to stand on the hill overlooking a red barn, spent cornfields and autumn-dipped trees, where a thermos of hot coffee kept my fingers from freezing while I painted.

Although I was seriously cold that morning, the funny thing about plein air painting is that you pretty much loose yourself in the moment and kind of forget your discomfort as you attempt to capture that all too fleeting light in the short span of maybe an hour or so.

 Recently I entered the painting into the "Harvest of Art" exhibit and fall festival at the Visual Art Center in Punta Gorda, Florida. There are many fun events that the art center is sponsoring in conjunction with the exhibit, so check out the info here if you enjoy Harvest celebrations in conjunction with beautiful art.

I was pleased to receive a merit award for this painting by juror, Bill Farnsworth, a very accomplished award-winning artist, who was this year's juror of awards. You can check out Bill's website here. The painting is available for purchase for $750. You can contact the art center directly to purchase or just send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.

"Autumn Day at Marsh Creek", 9x12, plein air, Marsh Creek State PArk, Chester County paintings, autumn landscapes, fall, trees, oak trees Pennsylvania landscapes

"Autumn Day at Marsh Creek", 9x12, plein air

Marsh Creek State Park was about a ten minute drive from where I used to live in Chester Springs, PA., before moving to Florida. Our family had many happy times at that park. We would walk the trails, fish, canoe and wind surf in the lake and swim in the community pool on hot summer days. It was a great place for picnics and watching sunsets.

During our recent trip up north, I decided to go paint there. The trees did not disappoint, and one in particular seemed to be screaming, "Paint me! Paint me!"

So I did.

Feel free to email me at maryannejacobsen@aol.com if you are interested in this plein air sketch.

"The Little Church in Chester Springs", 8x10, oil on panel, plein air, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, fall foiliage, paintings of churches, St. Matthews Church of Christ, autumn landscapes, Maryanne JAcobsen art

"The Little Church in Chester Springs", 8x10, oil on panel, plein air

Last week the leaves in Pennsylvania were at their peak of glory. So it was with a happy heart that I went out each day and painted the beauty that was truly everywhere. When I lived in Chester Springs, I passed the little St. Matthews Church of Christ on the corner of 401 and St. Matthews Rd. almost everyday, but it wasn't until I left the area, became an artist, and then returned to the area, that I realized how much it needed to be painted!

It's an incredibly scenic little church, with a graveyard in the side lawn, and I knew I had to paint it while I was there.

Route 401 is a fairly busy country road, so I set up on the other side of the road, as far back from the highway as I could. The sun was on the left side of the building and so the light effect was really nice as it hit the tops of the trees.

Below, you can see how much the light had changed by the time I finished the painting...

When I got back home to Florida, I realized that I had forgotten the little red maple in the front yard, so I added it to the painting afterwards and tweaked some additional areas, but overall, it was done mostly on location.

I hope you like it! Send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com if you have any interest in this painting!

"Covered Bridge on Yoder Road", 6x6, oil on board-paintings of Chester County, Pennsylvania, Elverson, Yoder Road, covered bridge, farms, red covered bridge, autumn landscapes,miniature art

"Covered Bridge on Yoder Road", 6x6, oil on board

While I was in Pennsylvania a few weeks ago, we were driving along Yoder Road when suddenly I screamed out, "Stop the Car!"

My husband obediently obeyed and I jumped out and shot some photos of this quintessential little Chester County icon- the covered bridge.

This is the scene I was looking at:

As you can see, it was a postcard perfect scene to paint, which is what I did when I came home.

This little painting would make a lovely gift and is also available framed. Contact me for additional information at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.

"Cornfields at Granogue", 9x12, plein air, Brandywine Valley, DuPont estate, farms, cornfields, autumn landscapes

"Cornfields at Granogue", 9x12, plein air

This is another painting that was done during Plein Air Brandywine Valley. For me it was the best day of the event, as I simply loved the setting, and I think it was reflected in the way that the painting turned out-my best of the week.

Granogue is the country estate of Irenee Du Pont and the mansion sits high on a hill overlooking the beautiful Brandywine Valley.

Although Granogue remains a family residence, much of the land is preserved, in keeping with the DuPont tradition of conservationists.

It was a clear beautiful day, on the day we were allowed to paint there, and it was difficult choosing from farmland, old barns, cattle, ponds and the rolling hills that cascade down the valley toward the Brandywine River.

I chose to stand at the carriage house, where I had unmitigated views of the rolling cornfields ,and a farm and fall foliage in the distance.

I only wish I had the option to paint such beautiful scenery every day of the week!

This painting is available through Galerie Du Soleil.

"Autumn Fugue at Winterthur", 14x11, oil on board, plein air, fall foliage, autumn landscapes, Winterthur Museum, Brandywine Valley art

"Autumn Fugue at Winterthur", 14x11, oil on board, plein air

This was painted last week on a cold morning at the Winterthur Museum for the Plein Air Brandywine Valley Paint-Out. I was standing on a slope and my easel blew over a couple times until I finally moved it onto the tram path, which was level. This meant I had to move the easel every time a tram or bus went by, which was basically every 15 minutes. I was attracted to the little gazebo up on the hill as a focal point, as well as the strong contrast of light and shadow patterns. Over all, I was really happy with the way it came out, as the autumn foliage really inspired me to push the palette more than I have been doing recently. Here is what it looked like when It was hanging in the show:

  Unfortunately, whoever shipped it back to me from Wilmington, had no clue how to ship a wet painting. Since this was painted with a palette knife, the paint was extremely thick to begin with. Common sense should have told the person that nothing should come in contact with the paint, but maybe the person didn't realize that the painting could be ruined by contact with heavy paper. At any rate, the painting had been wrapped snugly in brown paper and there was paint all over the paper and the frame when I received it today. Throughout the painting the thick impasto was either smeared or gone!I was really upset because I had worked so hard on the painting at Winterthur. Yet it was truly my own fault, too, since I had not given better instructions on how to ship it back!

So I took it out of the frame, cleaned up the frame and set about to repair it. It does not have the same freshness of the original painting, but I am still happy that I was able to rescue it somewhat. If you are interested in purchasing the painting, just send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.

The grounds of the Winterthur Museum are gorgeous all year long, and it was a treat to be allowed to paint on this beautiful property. Founded by Henry Francis du Pont, Winterthur (pronounced “winter-tour”) is the premier museum of American decorative arts, reflecting both early America and the du Pont family’s life here. Its 60-acre naturalistic garden is among the country’s best, and its research library serves scholars from around the world. Please check out their website and be sure to visit if you are ever int he Wilmington , Delaware area.

"Elegy", 10x8, oil on panel

"Elegy", 10x8, oil on panel

I did this one a few months ago and took it out today and made some subtle changes to it, and now I like it better.

Autumn is such a gorgeous time of the year for those who live in zones with deciduous tress. The trees were just starting to change color when I was in New England recently and I can only image how stunning the colors are now!

There is no doubt in my mind that the Creator is a master artist!