Sunshine and rising temperatures

(C) 2015 Dale DiMauro

Today, we finally had some sun by mid-day. I took a walk in that good weather with the temperature reaching north of thirty for the first time in a while. I really noticed melting on the roofs and roads of Brattleboro, VT where I live. Neighbors were talking to each other while others were jogging and walking. This little window of suggestion offering the potential of spring I find in the above watercolor. 

The blue in the sky, strong shadows on the snow and walls and the overall brightness of the environment offers great promise. Granted, it is not painted with the mountains of snow we have had lately. I often paint blue sky, but recently have been adding more variety with clouds, subtle color gradations and greater atmospheric affect. There is also a great clarity of forms which are muted in the cloudy overcast weather cycles we have had this winter. I think I got the color of the distant hills in the background and the warm "earth colors" in the shrub and tree silhouettes.

Does this picture make you feel optimistic? It works for me.