A Mocha Moment at Coffee Expressions

6 October 201716 September 2024

I spent the day with my brother and his family in my hometown of Springfield, Ohio. It was early in the morning so I found a cute little coffee shop to catch up on my latest issue of Ohio Magazine and to check my emails. Once I walked through the door, I was greeted by a charming barista, surrounded by the amazing scent of coffee.

I ordered my café mocha with skim milk looking forward to the whipped cream and chocolate syrup. I found a nice warm spot in the sun, opened my magazine and listed the events I wanted to attend the next month. The atmosphere soon began to pick up as the local regulars lined up to place their order before starting workday.

Behind the counter is one of the friendliest baristas I have ever met. She greeted each visitor by name and confirmed their orders before reaching the register. She discussed with them their upcoming vacations and inquired about their families. She kindly carried on conversations with her regulars while carefully making their orders as I watched the large group that had formed only minutes ago finally disappear in a matter of minutes.

I was distracted at times by the early morning news but couldn’t help but eavesdrop on all of the interesting conversations. As each patron exited the door, the line continued to grow until about 8:30 AM and then the barista cleaned the machines in preparation for the next coffee rush wish shortly arrived before 9.

What I really admired about Coffee Expressions, is that in addition to the café mocha, they also provide visitors with free Wifi. I am always looking for a spot to catch up on my travel research and enjoy the convenience of connecting online.

There is a great selection of tables, chairs and comfortable couches for catching up on the latest news or relaxing with a cup of coffee. I also noticed a small retail area where handcrafted coffees, travel mugs and a selection of oats were available for breakfast.

I flipped to the last page of my magazine while taking my last drink of coffee and while I gathered my belongings, the friendly barista bids me farewell by name. I smiled and wished her a great day, wondering if she would remember me and my order on my return visit. I wouldn’t be surprised.

Do you have a favorite coffee shop that you frequent in the morning? I would love to hear about it if you would kindly leave your experience in the comments section below! Many Thanks and Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Coffee Expressions
1111 N. Plum Street, Suite 1
Springfield, OH 45504
Telephone: 937 323 5282

From Monday through Friday, Coffee Expressions is open from 6:05AM until 8PM and on Saturdays and Sundays from 8AM to 8PM.

Where to Stay:

Courtyard Marriott Springfield
100 S. Fountain Avenue
Springfield, OH 45502
Telephone: 937 322 3600

Where to Eat:

Mike and Rosie’s Deli
330 W. McCreight Avenue
Springfield, OH 45504
Telephone: 937 390 3511

Hands down, my favorite menu item and Mike and Rosie’s is their Reuben Sandwich…don’t forget to add the chips and pickle!

The Art of Jason Morgan, A Springfield Museum of Art Exhibit

7 May 201615 September 2024

Flipping through a copy of Ohio Magazine, I was drawn to an article about a local artist Jason Morgan from Yellow Springs, Ohio. I learned that he would be exhibiting at the Springfield Museum of Art, and booked a Saturday to see his artwork for myself. I was fascinated by his amazing still life scenes and wanted to learn more about his artistic style.

Prior to entering the exhibit, I picked up a small guide with an overview of the artist and his work. Located at several stations throughout the museum, thought provoking questions were posed to encourage a deeper reflection on some of the paintings. I found this practice to be very helpful and enjoyed thinking about Morgan’s artwork in a more artistic manner. Outside of the left wing was Morgan’s “Strange Pilgrims”.

My eyes were first drawn to the Hawaiian-like totem figure and then to the yellow pepper which seemed out of place. Reminding me of a scene in the movie Toy Story, I was fascinated by the colors in the yo-yo and the reflection of the light on the egg.

The artwork on display was primarily acrylic on canvas dating from 2002 to the present. I quickly noticed Morgan’s talent for painting portraits which progressively evolved towards a photographic style. I provided some of my thoughts on only a small number of pieces on display and separated them into two categories, portraitures and still-life.

Portraiture

I began my exploration of Jason Morgan’s artwork starting with Moonstruck which was painted in 2001. Compared to the 2012 painting of Dr. Cotton, the images in his earlier paintings had more subtle backgrounds but not as much definition in their facial expressions.

The work titled “Tim & Brooke” was one that first captured my attention in the next collection of portraitures. The attention to detail and texture is phenomenal in this painting. I was most fascinated by the natural bunching up of Brooke’s white t-shirt. The shadowing gave the piece of clothing such a unique three-dimensional feel.

“Acala at Ten” was an extraordinarily elegant black and white portrait. I was drawn to her eyes and her defined facial features. The simple background allowed my focus to remain solely on her.

I had reached the “Dr. Cotton” painting and I found this to be one of the most interesting portraitures in the collection. I was impressed with his use of texture and dimension in the background, especially the brick and the fall-like plants/trees that can be seen through the window. Of course the main focus was on the doctor himself. Morgan was able make scrubs look interesting with the use of shadowing and his ability to create an added component of depth is fascinating. I was mesmerized by the recreation of the doctor’s hospital badge as well as the detail that was not overlooked in the watch and pager. The detail of the doctor’s hands, all the way down to his fingernails and cuticles, was extremely life-like and photogenic.

The Use of Portraiture and Still Life

“Mirror in the Mirror” seemed like an transition from Morgan’s painting of portraits to still life, incorporating aspects of both people and things. The girl in the background appeared softer with less detailed features while the items in the foreground took center stage. I noticed that the painting had a three dimensional feel with the daisy in glass at the front, the skull and pomegranate in the center and the young girl towards the back. She was paying no attention to the items laid out in front of her, but rather taking more of an interest in the IPhone that she was holding in her hands.

Still Life Paintings

“Pins and Needles” was another opportunity to explore Morgan’s mastery with the use of lighting and for painting reflections as they would appear on his objects. Light reflected off, not only the orange, but each pin that had been stuck into the spool. There were several aspects of the painting that seemed to have been included to challenge Morgan artistically. First was the orange. There was a great amount of detail given to the flesh of the orange looking as though it had just been squeezed. Instead of a perfectly sliced orange, there was an element of experimentation in the modified object. This could also be said for the re-creation of the photograph of the man and the young child, which brought Morgan’s attention to detail to a whole new level.

I wandered towards the center of the exhibit where there are samples of objects that Morgan used for his paintings. The display also provided and explanation of the process for which Jason Morgan creates his designs, using a three-step process.

The Perfect Photograph

Towards the end of the exhibit, I found myself spending the most time viewing “Indian Four”, an acrylic on canvas. Mesmerized by the artistic detail of this painting, I noticed the intricate reproduction of each of the motorcycle’s parts and hardware. There is rust on the metal, the chipping away of body paint and the reflective lighting on the bike was incredible.

The next three pieces that were painted from 2011 to 2013 were, in my opinion, the most developed in the way of lighting and the detail of reflection. The positioning of items in the painting “Enzo” was unique as the items are facing away from viewer. The back lighting gave the painting a distinctive depth in the ridges of the cantaloupe and the marble’s reflection on the table was perfectly executed.

The same could be said for “Grapes of Wrath.” A partial mirror image of the light bulb was painted on the table which was a result of the lighting. “One for Steve” took the reflective concept a step further showing the table’s reflection in the plum. Impressive was the remaining peel left by a bite in the piece of fruit.

It is clear that Jason Morgan is successful in capturing the details and textures that come from his intense strategic placement and lighting of his subjects. Whether portraitures or still life images, the attention to each element is clearly exhibited in the artwork he creates. I look forward to seeing where his talents take him and hope to see more of his work in the near future.

Do you have a passion or love for art? What draws you to a specific artist? If you visited the Jason Morgan exhibit, I would love to hear your thoughts about his work. Please take the time to let me know about your opinions and comments about my post in the comments below! I would love to hear from you!

What to See and What to Do:

The Springfield Museum of Art
107 Cliff Park Road
Springfield, Ohio 45504
Telephone: 937 325 4673

If you would like to explore Jason Morgan’s fascinating artwork, visit his website at www.jasonmorganportraits.com.

Admission Fee: Adults for $5, Students with Valid ID for $3; Seniors 65+ for $3; Children 17 and under are Free and Wittenberg students are Free. Special exhibitions may incur an additional cost, so check the website prior to visiting
Hours: Wednesday – Saturday: 9AM to 5PM; Sunday: 12:30PM to 4:30PM; Closed Monday, Tuesday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Independence Day and the Sunday after Art Ball.
Amenities: Partnership with the Smithsonian, Exhibitions as well as Workshops and Classes
Length of Visit: 1 to 2 hours
Tips for Your Visit: Check the website to confirm any additional fees for special exhibits.

Where to Stay:

Marriott Courtyard, Springfield Downtown
100 South Fountain Avenue
Springfield, Ohio 45502
Telephone: 937 322 3600

Where to Eat:

Seasons Bistro and Grille
28 South Limestone Street
Springfield, Ohio 45502
Telephone: 937 521 1200

My favorite item on the menu is the Bibimbap, a Korean rice bowl with marinated beef strips and seasonal vegetables served over white rice. Topped with a fried egg and Korean chili paste.

Another seasonal favorite that is offered on a limited basis is their grilled Chilean sea bass.

Schuler’s Donuts: Their chocolate cream-filled doughnut is their best seller…”home of homemade”. The bakery has several locations in Springfield.
Simon Kenton Inn: This historical home is an inn, restaurant and entertainment venue. With great food, I love the atmosphere of the Simon Kenton Inn.
Guerra’s Krazy Tacos: One of my favorite places to eat in Springfield, Guerra’s is known for their unique gourmet tacos.
Salato Deli: I love stopping by this deli for their charcuterie board
Le Torte Dolci Bakery; Located next to the Salato Deli, this European French bakery also serves amazing gelato.
Mike & Rosie’s Deli: This staple of Springfield is located near the Wittenberg campus and I am extremely fond of their Reuben sandwich.

Where to Drink:

Mother Stewart’s Brewing Company: Springfield’s only brewery, Mother Stewart’s showcases nine craft beers produced onsite.

What to Read:

The Book of Springfield, Ohio, 1906, by Springfield Commercial Club
Springfield, Ohio: A Summary of Two Centuries, by Tom Dunham
Ridgewood in the Country Club District, by Tamara K. Dallenbach
Still Standing: A life of pain, adversity and perseverance, by James Cooper
Hometown Killer, by Carol Rothgeb

Photo Guide for Springfield, Ohio:

Hartman Rock Garden
Westcott House, Frank Lloyd Wright House
Glen Helen Nature Preserve in nearby Yellow Springs
Heritage Center of Clark County
Tecumseh Land Trust in nearby Yellow Springs
Ohio Caverns in nearby Bellefontaine
Oakes Quarry Park in nearby Fairborn, Ohio

Here is another look at part of the process…From cute bunny stuffed animal…

To adorable painting of bunny hopping over mushrooms! A Great Escape

Display in the exhibit to explain Morgan’s artistic process

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The Old Arcana, Arcanum Ohio – NOW CLOSED

9 July 201531 August 2024

UPDATE: The Old Arcana is now CLOSED.

What initially drew me to The Old Arcana Restaurant was their Bourbon Praline French Toast, which was voted the best by Ohio Magazine. I was also interested in visiting Bear’s Mill in Greenville, so I combined the two for a pleasant morning in Darke County, Ohio. Passing through cornfields and small country towns, my GPS guided me to Arcanum with its red brick streets and charming antique shops.

The beautiful interior was rich with exposed brick walls, dark wood furnishings and simple, yet elegant table settings. The bar is the main attraction displaying the homemade desserts in the glass enclosure at the front, while in the back, servers are ringing up orders and pouring their customer’s beverages.

The menu offered a long list of Southern-style entrees with a few healthy options as well. My eyes were drawn to the sausage gravy and biscuits, three egg omelets with herb roasted potatoes or an order of pancakes and homemade syrup.

Lunch and dinner selections included comfort foods such as the Kentucky Hot Brown and burgers of fresh meat made from brisket. All menu items are made in-house with fresh ingredients purchased from local markets and farmers.

A unique list of starters such as falafel fries, deviled eggs and Reuben rolls, and an excellent selection of salads ranged in price from $6 to $8. While each item looked delicious, I was not swayed away from the Bourbon Praline French Toast.

As Janeen brought my meal to the table, I could smell the sweetness of the bourbon praline sauce and the candied pecans. Coupled with the subtle aroma of cinnamon and homemade whipped cream, I could not wait to dive in. Taking my first bite, I have to admit it tasted more like a dessert than breakfast. This rich cinnamon creation, loaded with pecan goodness, was sinfully delicious.

All desserts at The Old Arcana are made from scratch and the selection changes on a regular basis. Behind the counter, there was the carrot cake bread pudding, devil’s food cake, their signature banana pudding, strawberry tart parfait and their chocolate cake with strawberry icing. The temptation was overwhelming, but having had the decadent French toast, I was going to have to pass and plan for dessert on my next visit.

Janeen mentioned that her brother Jeff Besecker was the owner and successful self-taught chef behind some of the most amazing menu items. Her father was instrumental in the renovations of the restaurant, adding some personal touches such as the bench seating along the wall opposite the bar. The restaurant sells some of her father’s beautifully designed walnut and brown maple cutting boards as well as sycamore rolling pins.

After settling my check, I was determined to return soon for another of the restaurant’s top sellers, the Arcana Hot Brown. The Old Arcana Restaurant ranks high on my list of restaurants in the state of Ohio and is a hidden gem located in the farmlands of Darke County. Of course, the next time, I will definitely save room for dessert.

Have you had the opportunity to dine at The Old Arcana Restaurant? I would love to hear about your experience or to recommend any restaurant items that you have tried if you would kindly leave your comments below! Many thanks for reading about my experience at The Old Arcana Restaurant and wishing you many Happy Travels!

Where to Eat:

The Old Arcana Restaurant
109 W. George Street
Arcanum, OH 45304
Telephone: 937 692 0068

The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and accepts cash only for payment. The Old Arcana Restaurant also offers cooking classes, which are provided on their webpage. In March of 2016, they began a Supper Club to bring like minded foodies together to enjoy a meal in a slow, engaging environment. This is also an opportunity to meet the chef, the staff and “hear their inspiration behind the month’s dish”. Information about becoming a member of the Supper Club is also listed on their website.

Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.