Chadds Ford, PA

I fell in love with Chadds Ford through the paintings of Kuerner's Farm by Andrew Wyeth. My first visit was in 1989 when I began painting around the town in hopes of getting connected with anyone who could help me on my pilgrimage to find the farm and hopefully to meet Andrew. I spent hours each day at the Brandywine Museum pouring over Andrew's originals. I ate my meals at Hank's place where everyone in town ate as well. Before long someone invited me along on her visit to the farm where she was well aquainted. I was allowed to do a few paintings and was ecstatic.

In the years that followed, on my trips back to PA, I would always do at least one painting from the roadside. My views were obstructed and traffic was dangerous. Still, I was glad to get in a painting.

In 2012, I was on such a visit. I turned around from my roadside work to find Mr Kuerner (85 years old) standing behind me. He saw what I was up to and invited me in. For two days I worked quickly to complete five studies. Mr Kuerner and his son Karl, also a painter, liked what I was doing enough to let me stay as their guest for three hot summer months. Many of the paintings on this page are from that visit. I was able to freely wander the farm in the footsteps of Andrew, painting constantly. This page holds a very extensive tour around the picturesque corners of this beautiful, spirit-filled, and special place and other paintings I've done in the Area.