Thursday, January 10, 2013

What's the rush?

I'm back.
Back to posting on my painting blog. Back home to Bucks County where I grew up. We have bought a horse farm and have settled in with my family - both two legged and four legged!
Things have changed, the area has grown and developments have pushed their way across sprawling farm land. I find comfort in the back roads - the winding web of narrow country roads that, for the most part, remain unchanged. I am enjoying discovering new routes for everyday errands where I can escape the busy main routes and find places to pull off the road to sketch and paint.
This week was an opportunity to go into Rushland to pick up supplies at a feed store. It is like stepping back in time... this tiny village comprised of a railroad crossing dotted with the Davis Feed Store, a few older homes, a post office and this quaint little depot building. It sits right at the rail crossing about two feet off the road and looks so forlorn and neglected.



The sun was warm. The sky a brilliant blue. The old clapboard siding was bathed in sunlight.
For the next hour and a half I was caught up in the play of light and shadows. I loved the textures and the whimsical shapes -- the sky peeking through the roof. I was amused by the tattered sign with the words Rushland. This little depot had been left behind. The traffic rushing by hardly seemed to take notice. But I did.


Rushland, Bucks County, PA
Curious about the name, I looked it up when I got home and found out the town began in 1750 as Sackett's Ford named for Joseph Sackett who built the grist mill and blacksmith shop. In 1883 the name was changed to Rushland because of its reference to the area, Rush Valley, where two creeks created an availability of scouring rushes used by the early settlers for cleaning pots and pans.

4 comments:

Claire Beadon Carnell said...

Loved reading this, Jane. Your painting of the depot building is really wonderful - especially like the little sky-holes showing through the dilapidated roof.

Jane Ramsey said...

Thanks Claire! I loved the sky peeking through too... the quirky proportions and the textures. I hope someone fixes it up - but not too much! I have a penchant for painting buildings with character. :)

Sue Marrazzo Fine Art said...

Cool painting...and such a nice post, Jane!

Jane Ramsey said...

Thanks Sue! The back roads in Bucks County are just filled with spots waiting to be painted! It's fun to share.