Black Horse Alley

I snapped this photo while visiting Old City, Philadelphia, balancing an ice cream cone in one hand and my camera in the other.

I grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs. Field trips to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall were the norm as a child, but it wasn’t until I brought my husband, Philip, to Philadelphia for the first time that I truly saw my hometown through fresh eyes.

We stayed near Independence Square, a location that carried the weight of history, but our experience felt light and playful. I still remember drifting off to the chime of the Centennial Bell (the bell that replaced the Liberty Bell), the quiet city settling in for the night. It was magical.

The next day, after sharing lunch with my cousin, we wandered into Benjamin Franklin’s ice cream parlor (dairy-free, of course—blueberry was the star). I needed a break from the chill inside, so I stepped out into the warmth. That’s when I noticed it. An ornate window frame. A small, unassuming street sign. A cobblestone alley that seemed trapped in time. Even though this city once felt like home, it continuously surprised me, and something about Black Horse Alley called to me.

I followed that nudge, as I often do when curiosity pulls at me like a soft whisper. There’s nothing logical about these moments—just the sensation that there’s something waiting to be found. As I approached the alley, details came alive. The way the old brick met the modern lines of a staircase. The sunlight cutting through the narrow passage, punctuating the history written into every worn stone beneath my feet.

That moment reminded me of the power of listening to those quiet intuitions—the ones that ask you to slow down, take a detour, or simply look closer. It’s a practice of trust, one I’ve learned to lean into, knowing that even the smallest, most fleeting impulses can uncover something meaningful. I don’t always notice the times I follow that voice, but I always remember the regret when I ignore it.

For me, Black Horse Alley holds all of this. It’s not just a beautiful piece of architecture or a relic from our nation’s earliest days. It’s a symbol of those small, unexplainable moments when you step into the unknown and find something extraordinary. This alley, with its cobblestones and secrets, feels like an invitation—a reminder that when you’re curious or feel that full-body “yes,” the best thing you can do is lean in and investigate without fear.

If you’ve felt the pull to wander off the main drag, to explore what’s waiting around the corner, or to listen to the small but persistent voice within you, I hope this piece speaks to you. Black Horse Alley invites you to follow your intuition, to trust in the magic of discovery, and to remember that even in the most familiar places, something wondrous is always waiting to be found.

-Epson Hot Press Bright Paper
-Dry-mounted Art.
-Comes wire-ready to hang!
-UltraChrome inks
-Epson archival rating: 60+ years!

Artwork Size:
-Extra Small- 8"x12"
-Small- 12"x18"
-Medium- 16" x 24"

Frame Dimensions:
-Metal Old School Matte Black- 5/16" Face | 3/4" Depth

Mat Dimensions:
-8"x12" Prints have 2" double mat.
-12"x18" Prints have 3" double mat.

Overall Dimensions with Double Mat:
-Extra Small- 12 1/8" × 16 1/16"
-Small- 18 1/8" × 24 1/16"

Overall Dimensions without Double Mat:
-Extra Small- 8 5/16" x 12 5/16"
-Small- 12 5/16" x 18 5/16"
-Medium- 16 5/16" x 24 5/16"

All artwork is made-to-order:

-Please allow 3-12 business days for production.
-Please allow 3-6 business days for shipping.
-All artwork is packaged safely for shipping

Returns are accepted on this product within 30 days from the date that the product was delivered to you. Item must be returned unused, with tags, in its original packaging, along with a completed return form.