"Dappled Garden, Yellow Springs", 12x16, oil on panel, Yellow Springs, Chester County Pennsylvania, The Washington Building, rhododendrons, dappled garden, spring garden, historic places

 "Dappled Garden, Yellow Springs", 12x16, oil on panel

The tiny little village of Historic Yellow Springs off of Yellow Springs Rd. in Chester County, Pa., is a magical place. Though tiny, it is full of surprises.

"Once a spa village and briefly a Revolutionary War campsite and hospital, Yellow Springs has evolved over time, serving as a home for Civil War orphans, a Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts campus, a motion picture studio, and for the past 50 years, a center for studying art, history, and the environment."-Historic Yellow Springs website

I lived quite close to the village back when I lived in Pa., and at the time the Washington Building was a fabulous restaurant and old historic inn. The village itself has undergone numerous changes since I lived there 20 years ago, and many of the buildings have been beautifully restored. The art studio now has many workshop offerings and the village sponsors the annual Yellow Springs art show every spring, featuring gorgeous artwork from local artists.

I painted this scene from a photo I took a few years ago when the Rhododendrons were just budding and starting to bloom. This painting is available for purchase through my website, if interested.

Thanks for visiting!

"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.

"Take me Home, Country Road", 12x16, oil on canvas, Chester Springs pa, Flowing Springs Rd, Birchrunville Store Cafe, Butterscotch Pastry Shop, paintings of Chester County Pa., Maryanne Jacobsen art, old barns, red roof, country road

 "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!

"Windows to the Past", 16x20, oil on panel, historic yellow springs, art school road, Washington Building, The Inn at Yellow Springs, Pennsylvania Impressionism, Maryanne Jacobsen Fine Art, mineral springs, Philadelphia area art, dappled light, weddings at The Washington, Wedding venues

"Windows to the Past", 16x20, oil on panel

This is a side view of the Washington Building in the historic village of Yellow Springs, about 30 miles west of Philadelphia. Although once called Yellow Springs, the village is located in what is now known as Chester Springs, Pa.- an area of rolling hills and underground springs and beautiful gentlemen's farms. I once lived in this gentle area, and it holds many beautiful memories for me, which is why I often come back and paint here whenever I am visiting Pennsylvania.

In times past, wealthy Philadelphians would travel by coach or train to vacation in the village of Yellow Springs, where they could bathe in the iron springs that still permeate much of the area, and from which the village derived its name. Supposedly the iron springs were a boon to one's health, and so the village became a spa of sorts. But the spa era was long after the Revolutionary war, when General Washington used the old tavern as a temporary headquarters for his troops.

Originally a tavern, the Washington Building has gone through numerous transitions and additions over the centuries. When I lived in Chester Springs, the Washington Building was known as The Inn at Yellow Springs, and it was a favorite haunt of the locals for fine food and great wine. Speaking of haunts, the building was also reputed to house a few ghosts left over from the years when the grounds supported a hospital for the wounded troops. My son worked as a weekend waiter at the Inn when he was in high school, and he would come home with firsthand stories of the ghostly noises that were heard by the staff on any particular evening.

Front view of the Washington Building

Spooky, yes. Old and historic- yes as well. But the architectural beauty of the building is what enchants me most and brings me back time after time for a new painting session. The view I captured on this particular occasion is a side view at late afternoon, showing the long porch that connects the Washington Building to its neighbor, the Lincoln Building. The little courtyard  has a bench for musing, and  a sculpture of a blue heron, which I've also painted before. Directly up the path from this view is a small herbal medicinal garden, dating from the days when it provided medicine of sorts for the sick and wounded. Just beyond that is the ruins of the old hospital, and directly across the street is the gazebo that housed the iron springs where the wealthy and healthy bathed.

View of gazebo that housed the iron springs

View of steps leading from courtyard to the old hospital ruins

Quixotic as the springs were, I suppose it was their dark, orangey-colored waters that attracted the attention of General Washington in the first place! I can attest to the fact that in the 14 years that I lived directly up the road in Chester Springs, my hair was orange from the well water that I bathed in!

Up the road a short distance is the art school, where famous painters and students from the Academy of Fine Arts would travel in the summertime to take advantage of the beautiful surroundings and paint en plein air. Indeed, the tiny road that houses all this history is called Art School Road, and residents have worked hard to preserve the quaint beauty and historic significance of the tiny village.

Well, if you enjoyed learning about the historic village of Yellow Springs, do visit the village's website here where you can learn about tours and art lessons and much more history!

This painting is available for purchase for $1500. Please send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com, if interested in purchasing this window to the past.

"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.

"Silent Forever", plein air, 8x10, oil on board, paintings of sculptures, heronsYellow Springs village, plein air

"Silent Forever", plein air, 8x10, oil on board

In Florida we have beautiful big birds- herons, cranes, ibises, egrets- the sky is the limit. I always take these beautiful birds for granted until I go north.

Recently, I took a trip to Pennsylvania to visit family and paint in the open air in the beautiful Chester County countryside.

We stayed in Chester Springs, where I know the terrain like the back of my hand.

IN the small village of Yellow Springs is a metal sculpture of a great blue heron. It is next to the historic Washington Building, which served as a hospital during the Revolutionary War for George Washington's groups.

So I set up there early one morning and painted the metal bird, glad that I would be soon returning to hot, sticky Florida, where the birds are real.

If you would like to purchase this plein air sketch, please send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.

Historic Buildings in Pennsylvania, Inn at Yellow Springs

SOLD Inn at Yellow Springs, (the Washington Building), 18x24, oil on linen



I worked on this a bit more today, and I'm pretty satisfied with it now. I still haven't decided whether or not to take the long drive up to Chester Springs next week, for the jurying of the Annual Yellow Springs art show, which is in May of 2008. But if I decide to do it, this is one of the paintings that I'll take with me, though it certainly is not a good example of my best work. Since they would have to retire regular artists in order to accept new ones, I think my chances of getting into the show are pretty remote. Also, since the hubby and I put about 6000 miles on our car this summer road-tripping, I'm definitely not in the mood for another road trip. Sigh. I do need to make up my mind in the next day or two, but for now, I'm just happy I finished this sucker.


For more info on the fascinating history of the Village of Yellow Springs, in Chester Springs, Pa. just click on this link.

Historic Yellow Springs

a Painting a day, Daily painters, original art , affordable original art, home decor art, colorist art,contemporary impressionism, historic Yellow Springs, Chester County landscapes,Pennsylvania landscapes,quaint places,historic places.

Inn at Yellow Springs, Washington Bldg.

Inn at Yellow Springs/ Washington Building, 18x24, oil on linen I decided to paint this building, even though I suck at painting buildings. (Note: finished product is better than photo! Click on the picture for more detail.)

Please let me know what you think of the final product. I painted it from the photo below, which is a picture of the Washington Building in historic Yellow Springs, Pa. where I lived before moving to Florida.

If you would like to learn more about the village of Yellow Springs, in Chester County, Pa., please click on this link:

Historic Yellow Springs

a Painting a day, Daily painters, original art , affordable original art, home decor art, colorist art,contemporary impressionism, historic Yellow Springs, Chester County landscapes,Pennsylvania landscapes,quaint places.