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 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.
“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.
“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.
“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
“View From Napley Green” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci
I was in Rockhall, MD to paint these two watercolors. The sketches and preliminary drawings shown below were done on site and the two paintings were completed in studio. I was stunned by the beauty and vastness of the property when I arrived. So quiet and serene. Sometimes it is overwhelming of what to portray. Luckily there were two paintings to be completed, but honestly, I could have painted many more beautiful scenes in this location.
“Napley Green” watercolors were commissioned gifts to the property owners. It is often more time consuming to paint a commission because you want it to be exactly what the person had in mind. So that equals a bit of corespondence back and forth. You take extra care in planning and executing, all the while hoping it will meet expectations. I’m happy to say the recipients were thrilled. What a fabulous gift from their friends.
“Welcome to Napley Green” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci
“Lake Mary Elmer” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci
Plein Air watercolor “Lake Mary Elmer” depicts a peaceful day of painting in mid August. Lake Mary Elmer is part of the ecologically important Cohansey river. The Annual Riverfest competition is sponsored by Cumberland County Cultural and Heritage Commission and Gallery 50 in Bridgeton, NJ. The exhibit runs through the end of September.
This painting is available and can be shipped framed or unframed.
Matted to fit an 11 x 14 inch frame.
Inquiries to mucciyvonne@yahoo.com
“Solo Flight” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (18×28)
I love being where the sky meets the ocean. Throughout the day, nature puts on a show. Often, I cannot leave till the last bit of light fades away. “Solo Flight” watercolor received People’s Choice award in the Nature and The Landscape competition at Gallery 50 in Bridgeton, NJ. What a thrill it is to hear your name announced! Thank you to everyone who voted for this painting. Nature and The Landscape exhibit runs through the end of September.
What a great way to spread art through a community. My watercolor “Moods Farm” was one of 30 selected artworks to be included in the annual Pitman Art Stroll. Each banner hanging in town is printed with the artwork and a little bio from each artist. The originals are on exhibit at Pitman Gallery till the end of September. Great fun! Great event! Great gallery, check it out!
“Moods Farm” watercolor depicts an icon in Southern New Jersey. I wanted to capture the beautiful colors to be found at this farm stand. It is apple and pumpkin picking season, so stop by and get a few.
“Winter’s Thaw” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (12 x 17, Sold)
Painting snow is challenging because it is not white. Strong shadows make the scene come alive. Very little of the white paper has been reserved. The block-in below shows how much color is laid down in the first stages. The snow becomes white as you add stronger darks. “Winter’s Thaw” watercolor depicts a little creek that runs a block from my home.
“Bouquet” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (11 x 15, Sold)
“Bouquet” watercolor was painted as a progressive demo during my last workshop. You can always find fresh flowers in the grocery store to use as subject matter. The goal was to paint vibrantly, loosely and interpret the subject without getting hung up on all the detail. I enjoy painting in this style especially after completing complex subjects.
“Pine Bank Arch” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (12 x 9, Available)
This past summer I sat on a bench in Central Park and painted this study of Pine Bank Arch Bridge. It is cast iron, and one of my favorites. My plan is to do a half sheet of this subject in plein air over several days.
“Bathing Beauties” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Framed to 14 x 11, Sold)
“Bathing Beauties” watercolor depicts the beautiful southern shores of New Jersey. So far, we’ve had a very gray cold winter and I miss my sunny days at the shore! This painting was started during my last workshop and I finally pulled it out and put the finishing touches on it. I guess I am wishing that warm weather was only a few weeks away!
“Rusty Memories” by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Framed to 14 x 11, Sold)
For the past few years I’ve painted en plein air at Royal Port Antiques in Salem, NJ. “Rusty Memories” watercolor depicts one of the many antiques sitting on their porch. It was sketched on site and finished as a progressive demo for one of my workshops.
I’ll be at Royal Port Antiques painting during the Salem County Arts In Bloom studio tour on May 20th & 21st, 2017, so stop by and say hello! http://royalportantiques.typepad.com
“100 Acre Wood” by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Framed to 14 x 11, Available)
Painted on the last day of Plein Air Brandywine Valley during the exhibition at Winterthur. Across the meadow at Winterthur you can see these trees in contrast to each other. Can’t you picture Christopher Robin and Pooh bouncing over that hill?
This was a nice way to end a really great week of painting. Thank you to everyone who made all the details come together!
This painting is available and I’d be happy to ship it. Inquiries to mucciyvonne@yahoo.com A portion of the sale benefits Children’s Beach House. www.cbhinc.org
“Stone Arch Bridge” by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Framed to 11 x 14, Sold)
The stone arch bridge shown above was painted at Winterthur during the Brandywine Plein Air exhibition. I loved the fall colors reflecting in the water. Great day painting and talking about all of the beautiful locations included in this competition. These wonderful colors will be replaced with snow, and I may have to trek out there and capture another season!
A portion of every sale benefits Children’s Beach House. www.cbhinc.org
“The Meadow at Winterthur” by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Framed 16 x 20, Sold)
Day four of Plein Air Brandywine Valley landed me at Winterthur Museum to paint the many colors of the meadow. Unbelievable week of painting while watching the landscape subtly change colors from summer to fall. Hated to see it end, but the gala to benefit Children’s Beach House is a fun way to end the week. It was a meeting of great artists and patrons, great food and a great cause. A portion of every sale benefits CBH. www.cbhinc.org
This painting is available and I’d be happy to ship or deliver.
Inquiries to mucciyvonne@yahoo.com
“Goodnight” by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Framed 11 x 14, Sold)
“What are all those people doing?” was the general conversation of people passing by. This was nocturnal painting at Chesapeake City, MD with Plein Air Brandywine Valley competition. Give artists a 6pm start time, a few led lights hanging off their easels, and see what they come up with. Some race to catch that twilight color, while others wait till it gets really dark. Crazy, challenging, and fun are nocturne competitions. You have to know how to mix vibrant darks, if you don’t, you’ll learn really fast!
“Last Light” watercolor by Yvonne Pecor Mucci (Framed 11 x 14, Sold)
“Last Light” watercolor was a quick draw for the Plein Air Brandywine Valley competition. It started at 4pm, so the light was fading. It is a big challenge for me to capture a moment in two hours, including framing. During these quick draw competitions the time goes by in a flash and you rely on skills you hope will be there when you need them! You take a deep breath, start throwing on paint and remind yourself that this is the very best you can do on that day. Crazy, but I would not miss participating!
It was fun to see locals at the Marshalton Inn viewing artwork that had been started a few hours earlier! Part of every sale benefited the Children’s Beach House. www.cbhinc.org
Below is the thumbnail sketch I did before the Quick Draw start. These handy little sketch books were compliments of Jerry’s Artarama in Wilmington, DE. I used mine all week! Thank you to Annie Strack who procured the samples and put together swag bags for the painters.
Yvonne Pecor Mucci 