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!
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.
“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
“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.
“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.
“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.
“What’s In The Cupboard?” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci
This painting was juried into the 118th International Works on Paper exhibition.
Royal Port Antiques in Salem, NJ has hosted me during the Arts-In-Bloom studio tour over the past three years. It is a pleasure to pull these wonderful antiques into a still life and paint for the day. Because of all the old crackled paint on the cupboard, I painted on Arches 300# rough paper. Below is the initial sketch. So much fun!
This painting is available and can be shipped framed to 16 x 20, or unframed at 11 x 15. Please email me with questions. mucciyvonne@yahoo.com
“Precious Things” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (sold, 11 x 15, framed to 16 x 20)
Had the pleasure once again of painting live at Royal Port Antiques in Salem, NJ for the Arts-In-Bloom studio tour. They have an amazing selection of antiques which move in and out quickly. The table I had my still life setup sold by the end of the day! The initial drawing and still life is shown below. I am using Hahnemühle watercolor paper which is a bit softer compared to Arches.
Please email me with questions. mucciyvonne@yahoo.com
“The Color of Winter” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Framed to 11 x 14, Sold)
This watercolor was painted during the Chadds Ford Paint Out on February 1st. Winter exposed these gnarly trees along the creek and there was enough light left on a very cold day to get one more painting completed. So glad I did because the colors are beautiful in this season, you just have to bundle up, get out there, and enjoy them.
This event is hosted by Chadds Ford Historical Society. Artwork remains on exhibit for sale at CFHS through 3/2/18 www.chaddsfordhistory.org
“Kuerner’s Farm” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Framed to 14 x 11, Available)
I love painting at Kuerner Farm, also known as Ring Farm, a historic farm in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania made famous by Andrew Wyeth. Honestly, I did not love it so much on this windy, freezing day during the Chadds Ford Paint Out. My easel blew over a few times and I could not keep from shaking in the wind, so this one is only half a plein air because I completed the painting from the warmth of my home. There are some days you are not meant to paint en plein air! Still, it is a lovely painting in need of a new home.
This event is hosted by Chadds Ford Historical Society. Artwork remains on exhibit for sale at CFHS through 3/2/18 www.chaddsfordhistory.org
“John Chad House” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Framed 11 x 14, Sold)
Chadds Ford Paint Out is one of the few winter plein air events on the east coast. No awards are given, just a whole lot of great painting. This was the first day of painting on a low light and cold day. The temperature was above freezing and with the addition of hand warmers in my boots I had a full day of painting. Winter is an amazing time to paint because everything is exposed and the gentle color is beautiful.
This event is hosted by Chadds Ford Historical Society. Artwork remains on exhibit for sale at CFHS through 3/2/18 www.chaddsfordhistory.org
“Reflections” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Framed 11 x 14, Sold)
Last painting for Cedarburg Plein Air. The white birches set off this little scene beautifully. They were a needed contrast to all the color reflections in the pond. It was so incredibly hot this day. You wouldn’t know it from the painting, but I was tucked under trees hiding in the shade soaking up the coolness and quiet of this property.
“Red Roof Barn” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Framed 16 x 20, Available)
I love any type of barn, but one with a red roof that is striking in a landscape, well, for that reason alone I chose to paint “Red Roof Barn”. It certainly didn’t hurt that it was a fabulously sunny day for painting, couldn’t ask for anything more. Had this spot all to myself during Cedarburg Plein Air, except for the few visitors shown below.
“Silver Creek” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Framed 14 x 11, Sold)
My “quick paint” at Cedarburg Plein Air. What, how much time from time stamp to framing, two hours, yikes! Yes, I painted like a crazy person with spectators looking over my shoulder. Once you forget they’re there and remember to breathe, everything falls into place. Great fun! Getting a watercolor to dry and in a frame is another story.
Check out the amber plexiglass on top of the easel below. Got it from fellow artist Annie Strack, and it really is helpful to see values in the field!