Marcus (Marc) Moon (1923-2006)
Lisbon, Ohio, before 1963
Materials: Watercolor, 22.5” x 30.5”
Location at Summa Health: Dr. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Tower on the Akron Campus (141 N. Forge St.), Blue Neighborhood, Sixth Floor Hallway, Outside Patient Rooms H5-113 and H5-114
About the Art
In this early spring scene, watercolorist Marc Moon captures the tranquil beauty of a creek flowing beneath the Teegarden Covered Bridge near Lisbon, Ohio. The scene, painted before 1963, presents a serene rural landscape marked by a gently winding stream, leafless trees, and a distant barn with a sagging roof. The composition is anchored by the horizontal elements of the stream, house, and fence, which are juxtaposed with the verticals of the trees, capturing the subtle contrast between the built environment and the natural world.
Moon’s use of soft, muted colors enhances the peaceful atmosphere, while his skilled brushwork suggests form without unnecessary detail. The yellow freckling of spring buds on the shrubs near the bridge, and the smooth brushstrokes on the weathered boards of the structure, showcase his mastery of watercolor—a medium known for its spontaneity and challenge. Each brushstroke was carefully considered, as the fluid nature of watercolor requires an immediate response from the artist, with few opportunities for correction.
The painting’s perspective suggests that Moon worked in plein air—directly outdoors, observing and capturing the fleeting moments of nature’s beauty. This approach, popularized by the French Impressionists, emphasizes the immediacy of the moment and the shifting quality of natural light. Moon’s watercolor is a testament to his expert handling of the medium, conveying the essence of the scene with subtlety and restraint.
About the Artist
A lifelong Akron-area resident, Marc Moon was a prolific watercolorist known for his sensitive depictions of rural landscapes. After serving as a Marine in World War II, he began his artistic career and studied watercolor painting with Roy Wilhelm and other artists in Boston and Gloucester, Massachusetts. In 1963, he earned signature membership in the American Watercolor Society (AWS), a prestigious recognition in the watercolor community.
Moon’s work often focused on rural Ohio, capturing barns, outbuildings, and natural settings, particularly in winter or early spring when forms are stripped down to their essentials. His painting of the Teegarden Covered Bridge, part of his broader exploration of Ohio’s landscapes, celebrates the simple beauty of the countryside. The bridge, built in 1876 and located over the Little Beaver Creek, is now restored but still bears the marks of time.
Throughout his career, Moon exhibited extensively across Ohio and Georgia, and his work remains in numerous collections, including those of the North Canton Public Library, Akron Public Library, and the Canton Museum of Art. In addition to painting, Moon was dedicated to teaching and mentoring aspiring watercolor artists. He was also one of the founders of the Cuyahoga Falls Art Institute (now the Cuyahoga Valley Art Center) and the Whiskey Painters of America, a group known for creating small watercolor paintings in the convivial setting of bars and pubs across the country.
Where You Can See More of This Artist’s Work
Marc Moon’s work can be found in collections at the North Canton Public Library, Akron Public Library, Canton Museum of Art, and numerous private collections throughout Ohio. His work is sometimes offered through online auctions. Moon’s contributions to the field of watercolor were also recognized in Susan E. Meyer’s 40 Watercolorists and How They Work (1976), in which he shared his expertise on watercolor techniques.