Fly Fishing

(2015) Dale DiMauro adapted from a photograph
attributed to the American Museum of Fly Fishing

In Brattleboro, Vermont where I live, we have had a run of beautiful days for quite some time. In fact, the now famous Strolling of the Heifers which weaves its way through our downtown benefitted yesterday, from one of these dry and sunny, seventy-degree days. I enjoy this weather and really try to take advantage of some of the outdoor opportunities we have around here which include kayaking, tennis, hiking and skiing.

This weather inspires me to draw and paint outdoor scenes. I have driven by the Battenkill River in western Vermont many times and have sought to paint a watercolor of it before. Noted artist Ogden Pleissner portrayed the river life many times just as Norman Rockwell was inspired by his close proximity to this same valley. However, I did not have much time this past week but wanted to paint a figure in the landscape.

The above watercolor has the influence or look of a Winslow Homer. Not only is it an outdoor scene done in watercolor but you can see pencil lines which were left, a Homer trait. It has a relatively simple color scheme which harmonizes the picture while enhancing the focal point, which is the figure. However, it was not painted outside as many of Homer's were.