Joe Mancuso is greatly influenced by the changing of seasons and celebrates the moods each season brings. Known for the quality of light in his work, he enjoys working on location to accurately see and capture the changing light. “When I am attracted to a certain place or scene, it is always my goal to move beyond a literal translation and say something extraordinary about light in my work. It is always the light.”

Joe’s hard work is often rewarded. In 2007, Mancuso was designated Distinguished Pastelist with The Pastel Society of the West Coast. In 2016, his painting, The Tide and Tempest, received Best of Show in the Rejoice in Art juried exhibition. In 2017, his painting, Morning Showers, received Best of Show in the Pastel Society of Southern California Members exhibition. At the 2017 Carmel Plein Air Festival, a juried exhibition of 60 nationally recognized painters, he received The Artists’ Choice, Peoples’ Choice and Best Pastel awards. Joe’s continuing recognition as a top landscape painter keeps him in demand as an instructor. His classes, workshops and private lessons are continually sought after.

Joe is a Signature member with the Pastel Society of America. He is a participating member of the California Art Club, Laguna Beach Plein Air Painters, The Pastel Society of America, The Pastel Society of Southern California and The Pastel Society of The West Coast. Joe has exhibited in the Butler Institute of American Art, St. Mary’s Academy Art Museum and The Haggin Museum. His paintings hang in private collections throughout North America and Europe.