New interview with painter Jarid del Deo
"I refuse to be defeated by this horse"
Jarid del Deo lives and works in Maine. His oil paintings utilize the New England landscape as a tested vehicle for investigating color, shape and composition. Del Deo prefers a long contemplative study of his surroundings, plucking out details that best describe a place.
After completing his BFA in painting and printmaking at the University of New Hampshire, del Deo spent over a decade working in the performing arts in the Pacific Northwest and Europe. In 2012 he settled in Maine and turned his focus back to painting. Del Deo exhibits regularly and has work in private collections throughout North America and Europe.
“My responsibility toward composition, shape, color and value is inescapable but l am comfortable exchanging what I consider visual accuracy for something that is more spiritually expressive. I do have a viewer in mind when I paint and I want to make work that is relatable. A painting could be considered successful if it causes the viewer to reflect on their own relationship to the environment. I attempt to facilitate this by describing the atmosphere and heightened specialness of a place. I will often use a dramatic light source, compositional framing, or layered space to lead the viewer into the painting.
–Jarid del Deo
CEBE 2030 Vision Climate Convergence: Resilient Roots, Joyful Shoots
The Center for an Ecology-Based Economy is preparing for its seventh annual 2030 Vision Climate Convergence: Resilient Roots, Joyful Shoots on May 15-16, 2026 at the Celebration Barn Theater in South Paris. Each convergence brings together engaging workshops, roundtable discussions, and plenary presentations, as well as great food, music, and art to energize us for the work ahead.
ENCOUNTER – 2026 MFA Thesis Exhibition
University of Maine presents “Encounter – 2026 MFA Thesis Exhibition” at Lord Hall Gallery, opening May 15th from 5-7PM and on display May 15th - August 7th.
Artists: Chloe DaSilva, Jenna Davenport, Samantha Grimwood, Emily Whittemore
Upcoming Events
Life Drawing Nights
Monday evenings from 5pm-8pm at Lights Out. The Western Maine Art Group has moved its nude figure modeling sessions (typically hosted in the Lajos Matolcsy Art Center) to Lights Out for the winter months. Admission is $12 and will be held upstairs in the Dance Studio. Wednesday evenings Long Pose Portraiture 5pm-8pm with Haide Tznous. Same model, same pose for 6 weeks. Admission is $12 and will be held upstairs in the Dance Studio.
Community Day
Wednesdays from 10am-2pm, free luncheon at 1pm. Come volunteer at Lights Out and help us with a variety of fun projects. Georgia makes a delicious meal every week, served at 1pm.
Community Art Night
Join Zoey every Sunday from 2-5 pm at Lights Out. With materials provided by Lights Out and donated by the community, we make sure you have what you need and are there to encourage your creativity and share in your excitement, whether we are engaging in a group project or you’re working solo. Come create!
Horizons – On view now
Karen Jelenfy’s solo exhibition is on view now at our satellite gallery in Belfast! Open through March 22nd, Tuesdays - Fridays 11:00am-4:00pm and weekends by appointment. Please contact karle@lightsoutart.com for more information or to book an appointment.
Creative Career Labs
The Maine Arts Commission is teaming up with Lights Out to launch Creative Career Lab – a dynamic new series of free interactive artist skill-building sessions designed to bolster Maine artists and creative entrepreneurs. We’ll be visiting eight Maine towns: Farmington, Bangor, Presque Isle, Lewiston, Augusta, Damariscotta, Portland, Biddeford, and hosting one virtual session. Learn more and register here.
Check out more upcoming events at Lights Out on our community calendar.