"Father Serra's Garden",11x14, oil on linen, Father Junipero Serra, Carmel Mission, Beautiful gardens, Mission gardens, statues of saints, California missions, California art

 "Father Serra's Garden",11x14, oil on linen

Junípero Serra Ferrer, (November 24, 1713 – August 28, 1784) was a Spanish Franciscan friar who founded a mission in Baja California and the first nine of 21 Spanish missions in California from San Diego to San Francisco. He began in San Diego on July 16, 1769, and established his headquarters near the Presidio of Monterey, but soon moved a few miles south to establish Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo in today's Carmel, California.


The missions were primarily designed to bring the Catholic Christian faith to the native peoples. Other aims were to integrate the neophytes into Spanish society, and to train them to take over ownership and management of the land. 

Serra was beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 25, 1988, and Pope Francis canonized him on September 2015 during the Pope's first visit to the United States. I painted a similar version of this garden and statue back then, and it was well received, so I decided to paint the scene again, in a slightly different format.

Whenever I have visited California, it is almost a must for me to visit one or more of Father Serra's missions. They are all tranquil and lovely. My favorite of the missions is Mission Capistrano, which I've painted numerous times, but the Carmel Mission in Carmel, where Father Serra established his residence and is buried, is a close second.

The painting above is of Father Serra's Garden at the Carmel Mission, also known as Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo. It was close to closing time when I was there that day, and the long shadows added an air of mystery to the little garden alcove. Adding to the enchantment, the statue of Father Serra had the smallest slice of butterlike light cascading over his head and down his shoulder, an almost seeming continuation of the rapidly melting late afternoon sunshine that was snaking down the terra cotta roof, where it made a nose dive and finally came to rest over the figure of Father Serra.

I wish the fountain had been on, as the fountain itself was still bathed in that lovely light and a little running water would have added additional drama.

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

"Beauty Amidst the Ruins, Mission Capistrano", 12x16, oil on linen, Mission San Juan Capistrano, California earthquake, California missions, Juanero Indians, beautiful gardens, Orange County attractions, historic ruins

 "Beauty Amidst the Ruins, Mission Capistrano", 12x16, oil on linen

Mission San Juan Capistrano is a place of quiet peace, lush, fragrant gardens, as well as ghostly whispers of the past. 

Echos of long ago struggles can now hardly be detected in this place of serene fountains, gracefully curved arches and seasonal flowers, yet the missions stretching along the California coast  have a long controversial history that profoundly shaped the culture and founding of California and the history of its ethnic peoples.

Mission San Juan Capistrano, in Orange County, is probably the most beautiful of the many missions that defined California's history.  The Great Stone Church, built  by the Juaneno Indians beginning in 1797, was destroyed by an earthquake in 1812, yet today it is still one of the biggest tourist draws in the county*. Mission Capistrano is one of my favorite places to visit whenever I am in Southern California, and over the years I've painted dozens of paintings of this crumbling, yet still beautiful structure and its lovely gardens. I never tire of seeing its enduring beauty amidst the ruins, which are a solemn  reminder of nature's fury and lack of favoritism when destruction comes.

As the anniversary of Hurricane Ian approaches, I can say that the Mission and its history cause me to reflect on life's roller coaster rides. The painting reflects a bit of both- hope and despair, beauty and ruin, and the light and shadows cascading over the stones of the ruined original church, remind me of Matthew 6:19. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy (insert earthquakes), but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven."

 It's always joy to visit the Mission, so be sure to visit it if you are in Southern California. 

This painting is available. Contact me at maryannejacobsen@aol.com for purchase information

* information from the LA Times

"Beauty amidst the Ruins", 12x16, Mission San Juan Capistrano, California missions, Beautiful gardens, California history, Maryanne Jacobsen fine art

"Beauty amidst the Ruins", 12x16

Mission San Juan Capistrano is a place of quiet peace, gorgeous gardens and ghostly whispers of the past. 

Echos of long ago struggles can hardly be detected in this place of serene fountains, gracefully curved arches and seasonal flowers, yet the missions stretching along the California coast  have a long history that profoundly shaped the culture and founding of California and the history of its ethnic peoples.

I've visited and painted at Capistrano many times and never tire of its beauty. The old church was destroyed by an earthquake at least a hundred years ago and the ruins of that church are a solemn reminder of nature's fury and lack of favoritism.

This painting reflects a bit of both- the light and shadows cascading over the rocks of the ruins, while the lush fragrant gardens beyond beckon us into a season of hope. It's a joy to visit the Mission. Someday I intend to go back again, when this COVID mess is over!

"Chanticleer's Garden, 9x12, Chanticleer garden, Wayne Pa. Saint David's, Philadelphia area gardens, beautiful gardens, rooster, paintings of gardens, Maryanne Jacobsen art, rose garden, Chanticleer

"Chanticleer's Garden, 9x12

This majestic rooster stands atop his pedestal, gazing fondly about his garden.

"Chanticleer" usually refers to roosters, but it was also the name of Adolf Rosengarten's beautiful estate on the Philadelphia Main Line. Today,  the Chanticleer estate is now a pleasure garden open all year to the public in the Wayne/ St. David's area of the Main Line. According to the website, "Mr. Rosengarten's humor is evident in naming his home after the estate "Chanticlere" in Thackeray's 1855 novel The Newcomes. The fictional Chanticlere was "mortgaged up to the very castle windows" but "still the show of the county." Playing on the word, which is synonymous with "rooster," the Rosengartens used rooster motifs throughout the estate."

I love visiting Chanticleer whenever I am in the area, and it is especially beautiful in the spring. Here is another painting that I did of the estate a while back:

"Red Maple at Chanticleer", 16x20- SOLD

If you are in the Wayne/St. David's area, be sure to visit the gardens. Private and group tours of the Rosengarten's former home are also available. Visit their website here for additional information.

"Summer Garden, Provincetown", 8x10, oil, Cape Cod, Provincetown, beautiful gardens, summer gardens, New England gardens

SOLD

"Summer Garden, Provincetown", 8x10, oil

Provincetown is always a fun place to visit and although the summer crowds make travel on Cape Cod somewhat challenging, seeing all the beautiful gardens in full bloom make it well worth the effort.

Took a bunch of pictures last summer when I was up there for the American Women Artists exhibit in Orleans and finally took them out today and chose one to paint.

Cape Cod was the very first place that my hubby and I chose as a vacation destination when we were first married 44 years ago. Things have changed a lot since then, but the Cape, and Provincetown in particular, will always hold a special place in my heart.

"An Invitation to Rest", 18x24 oil on board, Chanticleer, beautiful gardens, Wayne, Pa. blue adirondeck chairs

"An Invitation to Rest", 18x24 oil on board

Was very inspired by all the beautiful gardens at Chanticleer in Wayne , Pa. Be sure to visit if you are in the Main Line area. YOu won't be disappointed.

This painting can be purchased for $2000, plus shipping. Please send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com if interested.