QUIET SPOT

Here is another lovely spot at the Appleford Estate.

ALLAY OF TREES

An allay of trees at the Appleford Estate.  There are lots of wonderful spots to cool off in the shade here.

APPLEFORD

The estate of Appleford, 24 acres of arboretum and bird sanctuary, is over 300 years old.  It is meticulously maintained and open to the public.  Another historic property, this time   painting under the auspices of the Wayne Art Center and their 'GARDEN SERIES'. I do this every year and am able to enjoy the quiet, usually private, gardens that are hidden away in all parts of the Main Line.

LONELY HOUSE

Here is a building in West Philadelphia that must have an interesting history.  It looks like a row house that lost it's row.  What happened to the rest of the block and how was this house spared?  It looks like the clouds are holding it in place here.  What does it feel like to live here? In spite of it's isolated position it has a cheery countenance and trimmed hedges, a fresh coat of paint and a neat, fenced in yard.

STONE ARBOR

Another painting from Harriton House.  This would seem to be an arbor built on some old stone pillars.  This whole site is filled with interesting old walls, and nooks and crannies filled with flowers. See my other painting of the ruins there. BURIED TREASURE

SIMPLE OLD HOUSE

This is the simple house that goes with the simple barn in the last post.  These old, well maintained buildings, date from the 1700's.  That's a long time to survive in all their pristine beauty.
These are more paintings from the Lower Merion Conservancy paint-out.  See photos of some the artists who participated and the gala that followed plus Bill's beautiful painting on Bill Ternay's blog POSTCARDS FROM PHILLY. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this painting will benefit the Conservancy.

SIMPLE OLD BARN

                                              SIMPLE OLD BARN

                                                  Nancy Herman

                                                        6" x 8"

To be in nature, when it is tamed and safe, is probably one of the most soothing experiences.  This stately old barn from the 1700's adds to the serenity with its simple lines.

A portion of the proceeds of this painting will be donated to the Lower Merion Conservancy.

BRIDGE OVER MILL CREEK

This private bridge leads to an historic home across the street from the mill of yesterday's painting.  This whole area is an historic district - Mill Creek Historic District.  It dates from the 16th and 17th hundreds.  This house is in excellent shape and looks like a beautiful place to live with its long second floor porch looking out over the creek and surrounding gardens. A portion of the proceeds from this painting will go to the Lower Merion Conservancy.

THE MILL ON MILL CREEK ROAD

Here is another painting that came about because of the paint-out with the Lower Merion Conservancy.  This is the side of the Mill on Mill Creek Road in Gladwyne.  For another view of this building and the creek go to my painting partner for this gig,  Bill Ternay, at his blog Postcards from Philly.  His blog is very entertaining with lots of photos, great art and news, so I'm sure you'll enjoy it.  A portion of the proceeds from this painting will go to the Conservancy.
SOLD

SAUNDER'S WOOD BARN

This is another painting done at the paint- out sponsored by The Lower Merion Conservancy.    This is a close up of a beautiful old barn I painted at Saunder's Wood.   It is over 200 years old.  The beauty of its construction and proportion are a testament to the integrity of the age and....you can have picnics there!
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BURIED TREASURE

Last week the Lower Merion Conservancy sponsored a paint-out to benefit their activities.  They gave all the artists who signed up maps to historic sites and we all went out in the 90' weather to find the spots and try to capture them in paint.  It was quite interesting to discover these lovely places, many of which I had never known about before.  This painting is of some old walls at HARRITON HOUSE built in 1704.  It was at one time the home of Charles Thomas who was the first and only secretary of the Continental and Confederate Congresses.  A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this painting will go to the Conservancy.

POPPY

This year only one of my 4 poppies bloomed.  Not sure why, as it has been a good year for everything else.  I was surprised, when painting this, how many shades of purple are in the center of the flower.  Purple does seem to be an appropriate color to be associated with opium.  "After WWII, Poppies became the symbol of both tragedy and renewal of life. They gained this recognition as there were many poppies in the battlefields of France. Each year on Memorial Day, Veterans sell poppies as a memorial for those who have given their lives for their country. The proceeds benefit veterans groups." Gardener's Network
$100.00

ARDMORE BUILDINGS

These are the 'storebacks' of buildings seen from the parking lot in Ardmore.  I have always been fascinated by the apartments above stores.  As a child I thought what fun it would be to live over a toy or candy store.  I imagined that at night the whole place would be mine to explore.

GARDENIA

Like the french lilac in an earlier painting, I wish I could include the fragrance of this lovely bloom.  It is redolent for me of anticipation of a romantic evening, as it is so often used for corsages.

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NIGHT IN THE CITY

This painting of city traffic at night seemed appropriate to begin this weekend when so many will be going somewhere else.  I am in the side view mirror.  This is from a trip into Philadelphia a few weeks ago.
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BORDERS

This is a painting of the Wynnewood Shopping Center with Borders just showing a bit in the corner.  Wynnewood is the 4th stop on the Paoli Local.  The station is directly across from the shopping center.  One good thing about shopping centers is that there is a nice view of the sky where there are no borders.
$100.00

IRIS IN THE EARLY MORNING

I came out one glorious morning last week and these iris, that had not bloomed for several years, were at the height of their glory. They were back lit by the sun shining through the fading but still somehow majestic for -get -me -nots.  What a gift a garden can be!
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NARBERTH HOUSETOP

Something about the colors in this combination of foliage and housetop gives me a quiet, joyous feeling.
$100.00

BLUE IRIS

This year I planted 3 new iris varieties.  This is the blue one and it is quite prolific and beautiful.  The old iris that have been blooming for 35 years or more are spectacular this year as well.  They are much taller than in the past and have many blooms.  I guess they enjoyed all the snow we had.

SOLD 

JAKE, SPANISH BELLS, AND FORGET ME NOTS

Here is Jake getting into the picture again. Forget Me Nots are starting to fade but the Spanish Bells are coming on strong.  The new grass is an unbelievable shade of green.

BALA CYNWYD SKYLINE

The combination of the water tower and the church on Levering Mill Road in Bala Cynwyd looks like a Medieval fortress. . . at least in my imagination.

ALLIUM

The Allium in my garden are so reliably sprightly.  I look forward to their appearance every year.

VERY STILL LIFE

The past few days the wind has been blowing non stop. It has made me very tense and jumpy.  Painting this very ordered piece was quite soothing.

EARLY MORNING IN MAY

This is the view from the porch off my bedroom in the early morning.

BARTLETTS TREE EXPERTS

Bartletts Tree service in Bala Cynwyd, taking care of trees on the Main Line since 1921.   They recently painted their building this subtle shade of yellow.

FORGET ME NOT AT DUSK

This year the humble Forget-me-not has completely taken over my Lavender beds.  I can't really complain as they are my very favorite color, especially at the magic hour of twilight.  It is worth reading the entry for Forget-me-nots in Wikipedia.  (click title for link)
You'll notice I have omitted the 's' after Forget-me-nots in the title.  Perhaps Forget-me-nots should be the official flower of artists.
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MONUMENTAL POTS

Behind Trader Joe's in Ardmore there is a warehouse, painted pastel colors, with these monumental pots lined up out front.  Not sure what's up.  Why are they outside where anyone could take them home (or are they too heavy?).  Are they made there?  Anyone know?