Spent a spring day at Winterthur Museum and Gardens with my sister-in-law. Go in late April, early May for an explosion of color in Azalea Woods. Walked ourselves silly and took a bazillion reference photos.
This watercolor was painted in studio. I wanted to make the shadows darker to pop the whites. You can see the difference from my reference photo to the painting. Knowing when to stop is always the challenge, so I stopped. You always want to add that one more stroke you think will make or break a painting. Overall I think it was successful.
“Cohansey Time” watercolor by Yvonne Mucci 11×14 availableInitial graphite sketch.
Cumberland County’s Cohansey Riverfest Plein Air event is held annually in mid August. It is hosted by Gallery 50 located in Bridgeton, NJ. I love participating in this event because it calls attention to the Cohansey River. This is one of the most important water sheds in Southern New Jersey. The 111-square-mile Cohansey River Watershed encompasses one of the largest expanses of quality wetlands in the state.
I set up along the shore at the Bait Box. Beautiful, quiet, and peaceful scene. Each artist was allowed to enter two paintings. Both of mine will be on display during the month of September starting with an artist reception September 6th, 6:30pm, Gallery 50 on Commerce street in Bridgeton, NJ. See you there!
This painting is mounted on hardboard, spray varnished, and cold waxed which eliminates the need for mat and glass.
“View from Bacons Neck Road” watercolor by Yvonne Mucci 5×7 sold
This was my 2nd painting for the day. Caught this red barn on my way to the Bait Box and had to do a little color sketch. Such a perfect way to spend the day!
The morning started with fog so thick I wasn’t sure about being on time to have my paper stamped at Gallery 50 for the Four Color Plein Air event. It had lifted by the time I got there. Should have been really cold out, I sure dressed for it, but turned out to be sunny and 62º.
I wanted to paint along the Cohansey river. Heading south out of Bridgeton, New Jersey I followed the road and caught a clear view to my right. Plenty of room for my car and easel. Great day of painting, had several local residents stop to see how the painting was progressing. They love this area as do I! “Almost Winter” watercolor is 9×12.
Artist reception is January 5th, 6pm at Gallery 50 in Bridgeton, NJ. I am looking forward to seeing what everyone painted on this beautiful day! This painting has been sold.
No Trespassing watercolor 2023 Plein Air Easton Quick Draw (Sold)
Quick Draw and Quick Paints are usually limited to two hours. You can choose your subject, set up your easel, and do a thumbnail before the start. The last 20 minutes involves framing and bringing your easel to the judging area. I set three alarms on my phone, halfway, 20 mins to end time, end time. Which will gives me time for 2 coats of spray varnish.
Before arriving I bring a couple hardboard panels with watercolor mounted on them. The thumbnail is most important to me because it sets my focus and I know what I am trying to emphasize in the painting, composition, shadows. I love this little shotgun house. In past years the ivy was not green and looked too brown overall. This year as soon as I saw it, with that red No Trespassing sign on the front door, I knew it was my choice. To me plein air painting is trying to capture the mood of a scene, not get crazy with details. Easier said than done! Hopefully at the end of the day it resonates with a patron. Neat thing about Plein Air Easton is that the public can watch you paint and purchase right off the easel and you can still submit to judging.
Bullitt House Gardens watercolor for 2022 Plein Air Easton Quick Draw (Sold)
Who doesn’t love the Quick Draw event during Plein Air Easton. Yes, it is crazy hot, usually in the high 90s. But so worth it because the caliber of art is amazing. Hard to believe what can be accomplished in two hours. That means in a frame on your easel and ready to be sold.
The Bullitt House and gardens are a perfect subject and a lot of artists chose this locations. I can attest that no two paintings looked alike. Time is limited, but you are allowed to set up your easel ahead of time. You cannot put a mark on your canvas till you hear the start horn. The thumbnail is the only reason I can get through the event. It is a blueprint, a plan, gives you a bit of confidence before you start.
Lavender Fields was first painted en plein air. Don’t have to say what a gorgeous day it was to be outside painting even if it was in the 90s. I painted this scene again from memory during the artist reception at Perkins Center For The Arts in Collingswood, NJ. For the demo I added a couple figures and eliminated the Folly in the background. Both were 11×14. My plan is to paint a much larger version of the subject using these paintings as reference. I don’t want to work from photos as I will be tempted to get too tight. We’ll see how it goes.
Morning Star Daylilies Farm has so many flower varieties, making it hard to choose which one. I spent the morning on their farm with Salem County Art League members. The sketch is a bit looser than the finished piece. Tough subject. So nice that they invited us out to paint their gorgeous daylilies! This watercolor is 8×10 mounted on hardboard and spray varnished, available unframed.
I was not going to paint because there was too much going on in the same day, but I didn’t want to miss participating in this annual plein air event through Cumberland County.
The day was cooler, breezy, and no humidity, so I went for it with the mindset of blissfully painting in the little free time I had. If the painting was successful, great, if it was not, at least I was outside painting. The satisfaction of completing this watercolor felt great, no regrets, and I made it on time to my next commitment and could not have been happier.
This watercolor is available through Gallery 50 in Bridgeton, NJ.
I have always wanted to participate in Easton Plein Air because the quality of artwork produced is so darn good. This summer fellow artist Annie Strack and I traveled to Easton, Maryland for the Quick Draw competition. It was so sweltering hot that day, but we found a shady street, set up our easels, and got to work. I loved this 19th century Victorian Gothic Brick Cottage with its steep gable roof and triangular louvered windows. Two hours later the effort was framed and displayed to be viewed and judged. Thank you to judge Daniel H. Weiss for choosing my watercolor. So exciting to hear your name called to receive the third place award! It was a pretty spectacular day filled with amazing artwork in the street and at the local art museum.
Later I researched this home and learned it is the Pinkney House in an area called The Hill. Beautiful and historic to say the least.
“Fallen” watercolor by Yvonne Mucci (Available, 11×14)
“Fallen” watercolor was a quick afternoon painting session at Ashbridge Preserve for Land Art Events. The title felt like an appropriate nod to the pandemic. I really tried to paint loosely, lots of heavily loaded pigments on my brush, letting the watercolor flow to give a sense of what it felt like to be standing near the Brandywine Creek with all the lush greenery around me. This painting is available through www.landartevents.com in Gallery 9, or you can contact me directly. Size is 11×14 in a 16×20 frame.
“Along The Road” by Yvonne Mucci (Available 10.5×14, framed 16×20)
Artists, while driving, pass beautiful properties and farms thinking “oh, I’ve got to go back and paint that scene”. Along The Road was painted for Land Art Events. Happy Hollow Farm was so interesting with all those windows. You never see barns like that! Lots of locals waved, tooted their horns, and said hello while I was painting. This painting is available through Land Art Events. http://www.landartevents.com You can also contact me directly. The watercolor is 10.5 x 14, matted and framed 16 x 20.
Farm To Table Plein Air Show and Palette to Palate Event. The 2020 event has been rescheduled to October 22, 23, 24 2021 at Goshen Hill Farm in Malvern, PA. Events that serve to engage the public in conversations about art, land conservation and agricultural stewardship. Kathe Odom is juror of selection and John Brandon Sills will judge the plein air paintings. All work exhibited was created on private and public lands permanently protected by the Willistown Conservancy Trust.
“Cool Shadows” watercolor by Yvonne Mucci (13 x 17, sold)
This spring house sat in the shadows, down a hill from the barn and main house. Really tranquil day of painting en plein air. There are lots of spring houses to be found in the Brandywine Valley. Spring houses keep a constant temperature due to the spring water running through them. They kept animals and debris from your water source while extending the life of your provisions by keeping them cool.
This painting is available through Land Art Events in Gallery 7. http://www.landartevents.com You can also contact me directly.
Farm To Table Plein Air Show and Palette to Palate Event. The 2020 event has been rescheduled to October 22, 23, 24 2021 at Goshen Hill Farm in Malvern, PA. Events that serve to engage the public in conversations about art, land conservation and agricultural stewardship.
“Loving The Land” watercolor by Yvonne Mucci (6×8, sold)
Personally, it has been an extremely difficult year, so getting outside to paint was good for my mind and soul. One activity that is safe during Covid. This lovely scene was painted en plein air at Rushton Woods Farm Preserve for Land Art Events, Farm to Table Palette to Palate event. I chose the title “Loving The Land” because those working at this CSA truly do love the land. Watercolor is mounted on hardboard and finished with cold wax, making the surface look similar to an oil, no glass needed. Photo below shows it framed in a 6×8 plein air frame.
“Thornbury” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (sold)
Thornbury CSA Farm is a pretty cool place in person and has some neat history. Lots of horses milling about and a gorgeous red barn made for a nice painting subject. Through the Plein Air Brandywine Valley competition we were allowed access to paint throughout their property. As you can see from the image below, I had a great spot in the shadows to paint this fall scene.
Proceeds of the Plein Air Brandywine Valley event benefit Children’s Beach House. cbhinc.orgAttend the 2019 Plein Air Brandywine Valley Opening Reception on Friday, October 18, 2019 at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. Artist applications are now open.
“Hay Bales” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Framed to 16 x 20, available)
Hay bales, whether round, cubed, stacked, or piled are irresistible to an artist! They catch the light and define a landscape. I love painting them. “Hay Bales” watercolor was painted for the Plein Air Brandywine Valley competition. I spent a lovely fall afternoon painting with other artists at this beautiful location.
Applications for the 2019 Plein Air Brandywine Valley competition are being accepted now. This is a well organized event with fabulous locations. Best part is that proceeds from this event benefit Children’s Beach House, so get involved. cbhinc.org Attend the 2019 Plein Air Brandywine Valley Opening Reception on Friday, October 18, 2019 at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library.
“Watch Over Me” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Framed to 14 x 11, Sold)
“Watch Over Me” was painted during Plein Air Brandywine Valley competition held every fall. Brandywine Wilmington Cemetery was one of the locations for this day and I did not know what to expect when arriving, but it is a pretty historical place. While figuring out what I could possibly paint there, I looked up and the fall colors were exploding behind this statue making the angel look like it was rising from flames. It was so quiet here that the painting almost painted itself.
I am hoping to be juried into the 2019 Plein Air Brandywine Valley competition to experience locations I wouldn’t otherwise be able to access. Best part is that proceeds from this event benefit Children’s Beach House. cbhinc.org
Attend the 2019 Plein Air Brandywine Valley Opening Reception on Friday, October 18, 2019 at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library.
“Fall Reflections” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Framed to 11 x 14, Available)
Quick paints are always tough, sometimes I wonder if the painting quality suffers. I like them because of the challenge. Most are limited to two hours from start to framed. The time goes by in a blink and you have to be really focused. The photo below shows just how focused we are during these events. If you are wondering, most framing is done in the trunk of your car!
“Fall Reflections” watercolor was painted for Plein Air Brandywine Valley Quickpaint. Proceeds from this event benefit Children’s Beach House. cbhinc.org
“Jazzy Afternoon” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Framed to 11×14, Sold)
“Jazzy Afternoon” was painted during the Wilmington Jazz Festival. I will definitely be returning next summer. Pictured is Sammy Miller and The Congregation. They tore the place up! Plein Air Brandywine Valley teamed up with the city of Wilmington, DE to promote the event and raise awareness for Children’s Beach House. cbhinc.org
I wanted to capture the vibrancy of both the scene and the music. Tough to capture as they are in constant movement. I did find myself painting faster to match the beat. Fun group as you can see by the photo below.
“Who Wants Gelato” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Framed to 11×14, Sold)
If you’ve never tried painting outside in the dark, you wouldn’t know how much fun a Nocturne can be. Every artist has a different setup, you can see mine below. A few lights on my easel and I was good to go. “Who Wants Gelato” was painted during Plein Air Brandywine Valley in late fall. Bar Avalon in West Chester hosted us with all kinds of delicious food!
Plein Air Brandywine Valley happens every fall and benefits Children’s Beach House. About 70 artists paint for 4 days ending with a Gala at Winterthur Museum and Gardens where 500 pieces of art go up for sale. A portion of each sale benefits this organization. Such a great event! For more information about Children’s Beach House visit cbhinc.org
“Webb House” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Framed to 16 x 20, Sold)
The “Webb House” sits across the meadow in Longwood Gardens. This is a favorite place to paint because the meadow continuously changes color throughout the day.
I painted this 1730s farm house during one of the largest plein air competitions in the east coast. Plein Air Brandywine Valley happens every fall and benefits Children’s Beach House. About 70 artists paint for 4 days ending with a Gala at Winterthur Museum and Gardens where 500 pieces of art go up for sale. Such a great event! For more information about Children’s Beach House visit cbhinc.org
“Ah, That Cohansey Feeling” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Framed to 20 x 26 private collection)
Large open areas of land, water, and sky are magical. They draw you in with their untouched beauty which makes one feel that time is standing still. At this location, I felt like I could breathe, and when I did, the quiet sounds of song birds could be heard.
“Ah, That Cohansey Feeling” watercolor was painted for the Nature And The Landscape annual competition at Gallery 50 in Bridgeton, NJ. I think others felt what I painted, as it received Honorable Mention.
This painting is currently part of the Philadelphia Watercolor Society’s 2019 Members Exhibition of Works on Paper through February 22nd, 2019. Boyer Gallery at the Hill School in Pottstown, PA.
“Waiting To Sail” by Yvonne Mucci (7.75 x 10.75, Framed to 11 x 14, Available)
It was a gray and breezy day on the Cohansey in Southern New Jersey. This means no flys, perfect for painting en plein air! “Waiting To Sail” watercolor was painted for Cumberland County Cultural and Heritage Commission’s Cohansey Riverfest. This is a yearly competition and exhibit at Gallery 50 in Bridgeton, NJ.
Had a pretty successful day of painting. My second watercolor is shown below. I was experimenting with Holbein Lavender. I like it enough to keep it in my palette, for now.
“Two Gander Farm” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Framed to 16 x 20, sold)
The Miller Farm, better known as Two Gander Farm opened their property for artists as part of the Land Art Events, Farm to Table Plein Air, happening on September 29th. Artists are painting at different locations throughout the different seasons. For more information https://www.landartevents.com I had the pleasure of painting on site in early spring with my friend George Gallatig at this beautiful farm. We got rained out, so this was completed in studio. It will be interesting to be there again this Sunday for a day of painting in a completely different season. In the photos below you can see us tucked along the tree line.
“Gardening At Redbank” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Sold)
Redbank Battlefield in National Park, New Jersey is a beautiful location set along the Delaware River. I often come and paint the Ann Whitall house en plein air.
“The Last Covered Bridge” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (sold)
This really is the last covered bridge in Wisconsin. I painted this for Cedarburg Plein Air. The challenge was the constant color changes in the water as the sun moved. Spent most of the day painting in this beautiful park shown in the image below.
“Hamilton House” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (available)
Across the street and up the hill there’s this little view of the Hamilton House in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. I wanted to depict it as the quiet little stop it once was. This was painted on day four of Cedarburg Plein Air. My other paintings are shown below.
“Shave And A Haircut, Two Bits” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Sold)
So many painting choices during Cedarburg Plein Air, but this little barbershop stood out. Couldn’t resist that red and white awning! So many people stopped to chat while I was painting, even caught a bit of the historical tour telling the group how this building has always been a barbershop. How charming!
“Growing Season” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (available)
Cedarburg, Wisconsin is filled with beautiful farms. “Growing Season” was painted during Cedarburg Plein Air. So lush and green! Just pull off the side of the road and set up your easel!
“B & B” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (available framed 11 x 14)
Cedarburg Plein Air, day one, spent downtown in front of the Lilly Pad Bed and Breakfast. Great town full of friendly people. Fresh off the easels, artists displayed their work in front of City Hall this year.