(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

My wife and I often usher shows at the Colonial Theater in Keene, New Hampshire. Through the years we have seen plays, comedians, musical acts and community performances live. Along the way we have met many people in the theater or in working these shows.

This watercolor depicts the landscape adjacent to the Showroom which the Colonial Theater opened shortly after COVID-19 passed. Whenever I park in this lot, the late day light and setting sun draw my attention.

It feels good to paint buildings in the landscape. Something about the way buildings shape and define spaces make the landscape compelling. When you add in the shadows, cast by these buildings, there is another layer of life that reveals itself.

Fall Colors

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

Fall colors really push the range of one's palette. The high oranges and reds are in a range I don't paint everyday. Likewise, the deep, cool blue-greens I don't use often, too. 

This picture reminds me of a walk through the woods in late October when the days have become short. I did this picture to escape from the poor air quality brought on from the Canadian fires and the high humidity of summer. There is a crispness in the watercolor washes that is descriptive of the cool and clear evenings of late fall.

I like it when the contours of the landscape reveal themselves, whether it is the outcroppings of rock or an undulating shoreline.

 

Statue on the Brattleboro Common

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

Statues are great opportunities to capture the human figure. They are put high up on a pedestal to increase their relevance, whether they are deserving or not. However, the way the light descends across their body during the course of the day, makes them quite captivating.

This statue can be found on the Brattleboro Common(VT) as part of the 1887 Civil War Soldier's Monument. Not long ago it was discovered that local black Americans who sacrificed for this country. were not being represented. This racial discrimination was amended with a new engraving at the foot of the statue.

I always wanted to paint a statute and so I did. I am sure I will paint many more in the future. This looser approach for the sky, with a wet wash, I believe, complements the subject matter of the figure.

Cigar Boxes

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

Cigar boxes are a neat and convenient way to store art supplies. They come in all kinds of sizes from rectangles, squares and the like.

This one I found at my local second hand store. It cost ten dollars and was in incredible condition. Some you have to air out for some time, to get rid of the cigar smell, but not this one. Also, the hinges were in great shape with a good clasp. Often there is hideous advertising on the top but I kind of like this one.

I primarily store fountain pens, pencils and the like which are easily accessible in my home studio. Also, you can stack many of these cigars boxes of similier dimensions on top of each other.

I have written on cigar boxes in the past but this one was too good to pass on.

Summer

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

The recent prolonged heat wave with high temperatures and high humidity sapped the energy out of me. It was hard to stay outside for any length of time. However, I did get some outside swimming in.

I swam twice in Lake Spofford which the New Hampshire Fish & Wildlife Game Department identified as the cleanest lake in New Hampshire. Where I was on the lake I did't see any European Milfoil, at all. It was lovely.

It's great to paint a summer scene. And to me these are the colors of summer.

 

Landscape Painting.

 

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

Landscape painting takes expression in all kinds of forms. Sometimes it is a great vista(ie. the Hudson River School) or a lovely garden detail. This watercolor may look illustrative and in fact, be illustrative, the result of direct painting while recently, watching Shakespeare in the Park.

This is a different kind of watercolor for me. Nevertheless, it was the back lighting of the woods which caught my attention in contrast to the dark foreground. That setting sun revealed a drama unmatched by the drama on the stage.

When painting outside I have learned all I really need is two or three brushes to complete a picture. I like the freshness of the colors in this picture.