Part of my “Tastes Of Home” series. Reading Pennsylvania has a great beer tradition. John Updike, the famous writer who grew up in the area, based the setting in his masterpiece book, Rabbit, Run, on Reading – he called the city Brewer in honor of Reading’s rich brewing tradition. Reading Beer was the ubiquitous brand of my youth. Can remember this iconic can crumpled on the streets everywhere. When beer can collecting became a thing in the 70’s, a Reading Beer can was a staple of any local collection. Reading Beer folded a long time ago – found this can on line. However, have heard that a local microbrewery has purchased the brand and is keeping it alive. My “Tastes Of Home” series celebrates food brands native to Berks County, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and Greater Philadelphia – the area where I live.

Part of my “Tastes Of Home” Series. Where I live, mushroom houses growing Pennsylvania button mushrooms are common. Can tell you’re near one by the pungent smell in the air. Georgio is the big brand in the area. My “Tastes Of Home” series celebrates food brands native to Berks County, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and Greater Philadelphia – the area where I live.

Part of my “Tastes Of Home” series. In the area where I live – Southeastern PA – birch beer is common. And, many have heard of Sarsaparilla. Both have a taste similar to root beer. At some local farmers markets, you can find stands selling home made varieties. Both of these soda flavors are not common outside the area. My “Tastes Of Home” series celebrates food brands native to Berks County, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and Greater Philadelphia – the area where I live.

Part of the “Tastes Of Home” series. Love this dressing, made in Boyertown, PA, near where I live. One of those brands you have to buy when you see it as it’s not stocked all the time. This dressing is always available at the local supermarket on a display stand right next to the corned beef around St. Patrick’s day – go figure, Russian dressing to celebrate Irish culture. Great dressing – great with corned beef and cabbage, on a Reuben, and especially good on a big ol’ wedge salad. My “Tastes Of Home” series celebrates food brands native to Berks County, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and Greater Philadelphia – the area where I live.

Part of my “Tastes Of Home” series. Grew up on Pilsudski mustard. Can’t have a ham sandwich, ring bologna, or kielbasa without the stuff. Staple of the post Christmas or Easter leftover meal. Also remember having this at my grandparents’ place – the combination of this mustard and my grandmother’s red beet horseradish on a ham sandwich takes me back to my childhood – that and a big serving of her potato salad – nothing better. I can remember my eyes tearing up and the overwhelming pungent horseradish smell when my grandmother grated horseradish in her apartment. I always assumed Pilsudski mustard was a Polish import – didn’t realize this was made in my back yard until recently. Their classic container is barrel shaped, but this new curvy squeeze bottle was more interesting to paint. Pilsudski recently came out with more flavors – garlic dill, bacon jalapeño, sriracha – they’re all good, but the classic is the best. My “Tastes of Home” series celebrates food brands native to Berks County, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and greater Philadelphia – the area where I live.

Part of my “Tastes Of Home” series. A-Treat is a brand local to Southeastern PA. Almost disappeared a few years ago, but the brand was saved. Love their unique flavors like blue raspberry and sarsaparilla, but their grapefruit soda is my favorite. Loved capturing the shine and reflections on the can. My “Tastes of Home” series celebrates food brands native to Berks County, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and greater Philadelphia – the area where I live.

Part of my “Tastes Of Home” series. Good’s chips were a staple in my childhood home. I especially like their BBQ chips. I think their packaging is very cool – hasn’t changed over time. Love the imperfect shape of the bag – gives this a bit of personality – feels like the bag is posing. Also, love working on paintings where the color one sees isn’t the color used – the body bag is interpret as white, but I used cool colors like lavenders, pinks, and blues in the shadowy areas and yellow in the highlights. Love that play of warms and cools. My “Tastes of Home” series celebrates food brands native to Berks County, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and greater Philadelphia – the area where I live.

This is part of my “Tastes Of Home” series. Chow-Chow is a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch (Americanization of “Deutsch” or German) food. It’s a combination of corn, carrots, green beans, onions, peppers, beans – basically any combination of vegetables you can find – pickled in a sweet and sour brine. Assuming it was a practical way of preserving the Summer harvest. Have to admit, I’m not a big fan. But nothing is as Dutchy as chow-chow. The Wos-Wit brand really plays up the Dutchiness, using traditional PA Dutch imagery, like the distlefink bird and hearts, on their packaging. Wos-Wit means “what do you want” in PA Dutch. My “Tastes of Home” series celebrates food brands native to Berks County, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Dutch country, and greater Philadelphia – the area where I live. In this area, there’s a large settlement of German immigrants who created their own subculture. “If you ain’t Dutch, you ain’t much.”

This is part of my “Tastes Of Home” series. Fastnachts are a German fried doughnut usually made from potato flour and served on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent starts. Usually served plain, coated with powdered sugar, or sliced open and served with syrup and/or butter (I like both). The brand of syrup that’s a must is Turkey syrup. It’s the best. No, there are no turkeys used to make the syrup – not sure where it got it’s name. Anyone who has had this syrup knows it’s near impossible to pour from the jar and not get a sticky streak of syrup running down the side of the jar. Turkey syrup is also a must when making PA Dutch shoo-fly pie (wet bottom, of course). My “Tastes of Home” series celebrates food brands native to Berks County, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Dutch country, and greater Philadelphia – the area where I live.

Painted this one off of a reference photo taken during the same night as one taken to create “Cadillac Diner.” Taken in Wildwood, NJ. Love how Wildwood embraces the retro 1950’s neon light-look outside their restaurants and hotels. Love the contrast of the cool blues at dusk and the heat of the neon light. Fun to paint.