The often all-too dreary month of January will be considerably brightened by the must-see exhibit of large, colorful abstract oil paintings by Lars Johnson.

He explains in his artist statement,

"I use highly saturated colors that sometimes clash to control perceived spatial relationships. As colors move back and forth against each other, they beat in a musical fashion. Lines intertwine between background and foreground, drawing the viewer deeper into the texture of the matrix. My painting is musical. My life as a musician is visual. My musical compositions have distinct visual components, and as a painter I hear music. The improvised line in music and painting are inextricably linked."

Johnson's paintings and prints have been shown in the Bay Area in solo and group shows, and are in the collections of The Bank of America, Yosemite Park and Curry Company, Crocker Bank, First Bank of Midland, and Texas Sohio Petroleum. He has also done murals for the World Savings and Loan in Richmond, California, the University of California in San Francisco, the Claremont Hotel, and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area at Ft. Mason in San Francisco.

Lars Johnson, who has been vacationing on this coast for over thirty years, is an optimist who believes his creative source is inherently positive. You will not see familiar scenes in his work, but his feelings of love and excitement for this area are evident. The intrinsic nature of his work exploits the joyous possibilities of both the meditative process and extemporaneous gesture. Johnson, who says, "Creativity is health." should give you one more reason to see this show. It will pick up your spirits and inspire new creativity in your own life.

The show closes Sunday, February 5.

Gualala Arts Center is located at 46501 Old State Highway in Gualala, and is open from 9 am to 4 pm weekdays, and weekends from noon to 4 p.m. Please call (707) 884-1138 for more information.