Jerry's parents came from different Irish counties, but—as luck would have it—they boarded the same boat bound for the states. Once here, they went on three dates, married and then stayed in PA, where they raised two sons on a farm that his father managed.

"I am mentally and physically living in both places, but Ireland has influenced me more. I started working on Irish paintings before ever working on paintings of Chadds Ford. Now I go back and forth."

That said, neighboring artists made an impression. As kids they sledded by Andy Wyeth’s studio, swam in the creek, and fooled around in the vacant mill that is now the Brandywine River Museum.

“It housed a lumber company until floods washed the wood downstream. Eventually the grist mill was restored and turned into the museum. Andy was famous back then, yes—but we kids didn’t know it.”

In fact, Jerry’s wife Nancy lived two doors down from the Wyeth’s. Her brother Jimmy (Lynch) was friends with Jamie and modeled for “Draft Age.” They, too, were talented artists. Jerry followed later, after years as a restorer of houses and master builder.

"Satisfaction keeps me painting. Books have been written about this area, but they get read, closed and put away. These paintings live with you; you’re walking by them every day.”

For those of us lucky enough to live with Jer's work, it can feel as though you're walking into them, walking along their pathways.