November 6, 2009

"Winter Morning" 5x7 Oil


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November 4, 2009

"When Winter Comes" 5x7 Oil


This painting was actually finished and photographed and even had a title. I then decided it needed a few changes so I added few things and then a new title came to me while I was photographing it for this post. Sometimes things just go that way. It's not always in my plan but I need to be open to new possibilities whenever they come.
125.00





November 2, 2009

"The Carson River" 9x12 Oil




This painting was a demonstration conducted last Saturday at Marina Fine Arts in Marina del Rey, California. I met lots of nice people and even got lunch too. It was a fun day. Thank you Mike and Joan.


This painting is available through Marina Fine Arts. (310)305-7678.

October 30, 2009

"Snowcreek Autumn" 7x5 Oil by Joe Mancuso


125.00




October 28, 2009

"Gardnerville Autumn" 7x5 Oil



125.00





October 26, 2009

"Across The Valley" 5x7 Oil




125.00




October 23, 2009

"October Flame" 7x5 Oil


Sometimes I will paint the same location in order to exhaust all of its possibilities. Many times by returning to these familiar places, it often feels like I'm visiting with an old friend.
125.00





October 21, 2009

"Autumn Shadows On Pine Creek Road" 10x8 Oil


This is another piece that will be juried for the "Small Works" exhibit at Segil Fine Art.

October 20, 2009

"Pine Creek Snow Showers" 12x9


This painting describes how I feel about this time of year. This is precisely why I paint. I could try to describe it with words but it wouldn't be the same and it would fall short of what I really wanted to say. That is not hard to understand if you read what I write on this blog.
I will be submitting this painting to be juried for an upcoming show at Segil Fine Art. My fingers are crossed.

October 13, 2009

"Shadows Of Autumn" 5x7 Oil






125.00




October 11, 2009

"The North Fork Of Bishop Creek" 11x14 Pastel


This painting is in anticipation of what will be taking place in the Owens Valley in a couple weeks from now. As I passed through the area last week, I noticed hints of change in some of the trees. Soon there will be some that will be at their peak.
600. unframed

October 7, 2009

"October Snow" 6x8 Oil


Last Monday morning, I awoke to a temperature of 8 degrees. It had warmed up to a balmy 17 by the time I began painting this piece.
Although there have been times when it can be too much to deal with, I enjoy painting in extreme weather conditions because it is part of the excitement of working on location. I love to see if I can capture the moment.
This piece is available at Rock Creek Lodge.

October 4, 2009

"A Chance OF Snow" 8x6 Oil


While this image is being posted, it is snowing outside my cabin. This was painted yesterday in the high sierras of California. There have been very few times that it has been as cold while I've painted on location. The wind was blowing and the weather forecast was calling for a chance of snow. I loved it. This morning I awoke to snow on the ground. A treat for this southern Californian.
This piece is available at Rock Creek Lodge.

September 30, 2009

"High Sierra Cottonwoods" 14x11 pastel


This painting was a demonstration for the Southern California Pastel Society.

September 29, 2009

"Time Together" 7x5 Oil


125.00







September 28, 2009

Currently On The Easel "Untitled" 18x24 Pastel



Hi Folks. This piece is my latest. It is of the Owens Valley, northwest of Bishop. I am heading up to this area to paint very soon. I am very excited because I will have the opportunity to spend time with my dad and brother who will join me on this trip. I haven't been fishing with my dad for many years seeing how he hasn't been able to get up to the Sierras for quite awhile. We are both so excited to return to the place that holds so many wonderful memories.

When I was growing up, we would go camping up at Rock Creek and when we arrived, we would hear talk of how no one was catching any fish and that there were no fish in the stream. My dad would first set up camp and then he would go fishing, within a half hour he would have at least three trout on his stringer.

I am thankful to have this time with him and my brother.

September 21, 2009

"The Outgoing Tide" 11x14 Oil


This is the last painting I will post that was entered in the Huntington Beach Plein Air Invitational. It is the morning view looking south over the Bolsa Chica Preserve.
If interested in any of these paintings, they are being displayed at the Huntington Beach Art Center. You may contact the art center at this number. 714-374-1650.

September 20, 2009

"Downtown Fountain" 8x6 Oil


Last Saturday September 12, I participated in an event that is part of the Huntington Beach Plein Air Festival called "Painting In The Streets." The artists participating in this event are invited to paint in downtown Huntington Beach as a way to inform people about plein air painting and the festival. I discovered this fountain as I was on my way to paint in another location.

September 17, 2009

"September Moon" 11x14 Oil


I began planning this piece about a week before I painted it. It took allot of planning due to the speed in which I knew I would have to work in order to capture the correct light and color. This moon rise is the night before the last full moon that recently occurred. The location is Huntington Lake in Huntington Beach. Another piece entered in the plein air exhibit.

September 16, 2009

"Breakfast At Alice's" 16x12 Oil


Alice's restaurant is located at the edge of Huntington Lake in Huntington Beach. It has quite a following so I learned from one of the locals. A nice spot to go and relax with coffee and friends.

September 15, 2009

"Preserved For Future Generations" 11x14 Oil


This painting was one of the most fun to work on during the past 2 weeks. It is a remote part of the Bolsa Chica Preserve. There were lots of different birds and critters around me while I was working. I was listening to different hawks, gulls and many others a more qualified birder could identify. It felt good to know that this place will remain undeveloped and natural for many more to enjoy.
This painting received an honorable mention by Jean Stearn, director of Irvine Museum.

September 14, 2009

"Evening Beside The Lake" 16x12 Oil


After returning home from North Carolina, I jumped right into painting for the Huntington Beach Plein Air Festival. This invitational takes place once a year in September. Participating artists paint in Huntington Beach for 2 weeks, then there is an opening reception (This Friday) with awards etc. The show is on display for about 10 days at the Huntington Beach Art Center.

August 27, 2009

"Myrtle Beach Morning" 10x8 Oil


I witnessed my first sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean this morning. I was treated to some great clouds and waves and I am pleased to say, this is my first painting of the Atlantic. It was quite warm while I was working but as soon as I was done, I jumped into the water to cool off a bit. It was wonderful.
NFS

August 25, 2009

"The River View" 10x8 Oil



I painted in the Blue Ridge Mountains today. The river in the distance is the French Broad River. I will be heading to the coast Wednesday to paint the Atlantic Ocean near Myrtle Beach.
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August 24, 2009

"French Broad River" 5x7


Greetings - This piece was painted in Asheville, North Carolina. This is my first visit to North Carolina. It is a beautiful state. I will be in the mountains for a couple of days, then will head toward the coast.
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August 11, 2009

"Rocky Mountain National Park" 7x5 Oil


It's been a few years since my last visit to the Rocky Mountains. I miss Colorado very much, especially the many friends I made while attending the various painting events there. I look forward to the opportunity to paint there again.
Enjoy!





125.00

August 8, 2009

"Point Fermin" 8x10 Oil


Sometimes I forget how beautiful our coast is so close to my home. Friday morning I went to
San Pedro to paint and found this scene. I am now thinking of all the future painting possibilities this location has and how different it will look during the coming Fall and Winter months.
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August 7, 2009

"Summer Blues and Greens" 5x7 Oil



125.00

August 3, 2009

"Owens Valley Oasis" 16x20 Oil


This piece is currently on the easel. It is mostly complete but will receive a few more subtle changes.

July 30, 2009

"Remembering Sonoma" 16x20 Oil


This painting was previously posted a while back. As I thought of memories and my past experiences there, I made some necessary changes. It has now become quite a nostalgic piece for me. I suppose many of my paintings are nostalgic but this piece has became more about the feelings that come up when I re-live memories both recent and past of being in the Sonoma Valley.

July 16, 2009

"A Calm Forecast" 5x7 Oil


Available At Rock Creek Lodge

July 14, 2009

"Storm Building" 7x5 Oil











125.


On my way home from a recent trip to the eastern sierras, I thought of this painting. At the time, the clouds were not quite as dramatic as I have painted them and it was mostly overcast. The sun would come out for very brief moments to light up certain small areas of pasture and trees with a beautiful light. It was my hope to recreate this memory through this painting and perhaps a larger one.

This piece was painted on an Ampersand Gessobord

July 12, 2009

The Cottonwood and The Creek 11x14 Oil


This spot is the same secret place I posted on July 11. This is the view as you turn around and face north east towards the White Mountains.
650. unframed. Available through Mancuso Fine Art studio.

July 11, 2009

"My Secret Place" 11x14 Oil



Ok, I have a hundred secret places that aren't really secret.
This is just one place that I found years ago that I keep returning to. I notice that every time I return, I find a new painting.
This piece is for sale through Mancuso Fine Art Studio.

June 16, 2009

"Mt. Morrison" 7x5 Oil





Yesterday I went down to an area known as Hot Creek. It is called Hot Creek due to the geothermal activity that warms the water. The vantage point of Mt. Morrison from this area is one of my favorites. I have never painted on location here and I was pleased with my results. The sun managed to stay out for most of the duration which was very helpful.

June 15, 2009

"Before The Snow" 7x5 Oil





One of the challenges of painting on location is dealing with the elements. During the last few days, I have been painting in the High Sierras and the weather has been quite interesting. From this artists point of view, it has been wonderful because the skies have been quite dramatic. Half way through this painting, the mountains in the background completely disappeared due to snow.









June 11, 2009

"The Bridge View" 8x10 Oil


This scene is one of the classic scenes that can be found near Rock Creek Lodge in the eastern Sierras.
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June 8, 2009

"Safe Haven" 14x18 Pastel


The idea behind this dramatic painting was to portray a sense of calm or peace within a storm. Although the subject I choose to paint is extremely important to me, the light and atmosphere on the subject are of equal importance.
It will be for sale along with 12 other pieces at a new gallery/showroom called Pacific Designer Furnishings located in Hermosa Beach California.

June 7, 2009

"Evening Rise" 7x5 Oil

125.

June 3, 2009

The Sonoma Valley 16x20 Oil



This Painting is currently being worked on in the studio. It was inspired by a recent visit to my old college stomping grounds in Sonoma County, California. It felt great to get back to a place that holds so many great memories.

May 13, 2009

"Morning Vines" 16x12 Pastel



This painting was used as a demonstration for my landscape painting class. The location is the Santa Ynez valley of California.

May 10, 2009

"Morning On The Santa Ynez River" 12x16 Pastel


"Happy Mother's Day"
This painting was the practice piece done before last years "Los Olivos Quick Draw."
To watch a 5 minute condensed version of last Summer's Event please visit the link below.
I also recently made some much needed updates. You can now follow my blog and leave comments if you wish. I seem to be slow on my end for this kind of thing. I should have never layed off my secretary.
This painting is available through Judith Hale Fine Art Gallery in Los Olivos, Ca.

April 29, 2009

"Morning Walk Along The Vineyard" 20x16 Pastel





This painting is available through the Garden Gallery in Half Moon Bay, California.

http://www.mancusofineart.com/Galleryreppage.html

April 25, 2009

"Eastern Sierra Summer" 16x20 Pastel





This pastel has been submitted to be juried for the upcoming annual "Pastels USA" show hosted by The Pastel Society Of the West Coast. This years exhibit will be held at the Triton Museum in San Jose California.

April 21, 2009

"Calm At First Light" 12x10 Pastel



I have many favorite locations that I like to stop during my travels and this is one of them along hwy 395 in eastern California. This piece was a previous demo for my pastel class. This is actually the second of three paintings done of this location during the morning. Next will be to complete a larger piece with afternoon or evening light. The trick is to catch it when there is no breeze and the water is calm in the afternoon.

This piece is available through Judith Hale Fine Art, Los Olivos, California.

http://www.mancusofineart.com/Galleryreppage.html

April 10, 2009

"Summer Moon" 14x11 Oil


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April 9, 2009

"Above Convict Creek" 10x8 Oil on linen panel


400.




I painted this scene last summer while in Mammoth Lakes. Although it was a bit tricky to get to, this view is a new favorite of mine. I wanted to get across the creek and up the hill but I was unable to find any logs or rocks, so off came my boots. I forget how cold snow melt is but it was well worth it.

April 8, 2009

"At The Days End" 12x9 Pastel



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In college I was a drawing major. I wanted to learn how to paint and use color in my work but did not enjoy oil painting at the time. I tried pastels because they were less intimidating for me and they felt more like a drawing medium, something I was used to. Soon, with lots of practice, I began to discover their unlimited potential and the rest is history.

This painting was part of my recent exhibit held on March 28th. It was painted during my pastel class as a demonstration. My 8 week pastel class is held on Thursday mornings from 9am 12noon at the M.B. Creative Arts center. If you have thought about painting and did not know where to begin or if you have wanted to return after a long absence, this class may be helpful. It is intended to be informative, relaxing and fun although my strange sense of humor gets in the way at times. A new session will begin on April 16th. Please contact me if you have any questions and are thinking of joining. All are welcome.

April 6, 2009

"Summer Rhythm" 8x10 Oil



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March 30, 2009

"Rio Vista" 14x18 Pastel on Pastelbord By Ampersand