The city of Enumclaw’s Gallery 2011 presents Objects of Meditation by Vashon painter John A. Woodard. The exhibit opens July 6 and runs through Aug. 2.

City of Enumclaw Cultural Programs Manager Gary LaTurner said Woodard  explores the world in his own way with a unique application of traditional artists’ materials.

“He creates dreamy images with soft edges and beautiful color,” LaTurner said.

“My objective in art is to make paintings which are seriously beautiful,” Woodard said. “I believe a painting should be an object of meditation; a place one can return to and discover new things one has missed in the first viewing of the piece. A painting should lure the viewer into its world and give the viewer a place for his mind to play.

“Through the juxtaposition of objects, their negative and positive shape relationships, and color and value patterns, I attempt to draw out my inner emotions and convey them on a two-dimensional surface.”

“The landscapes are painted directly from nature,” he said. “Through my work, I hope to convey to my audience the mystery, beauty, and complexity of life as I know it.”

Woodard use a watercolor-resist technique. He starts by applying oil pastel in complex layering to achieve subtle color relationships and texture. Then, he adds a watercolor wash.

“The watercolor pulls away or resists the oil pastels, creating a style that is rarely used because it requires an in-depth understanding of color and expert manipulation of a difficult medium,” he said.

City Hall Entryway Display Case

Enumclaw High School jewelry and glass art student’s artwork will be presented in the entryway display case at City Hall through Aug. 3. A selection of items will be available for purchase.

EHS is one of very few schools in Washington to house a hot shop for glass blowing and a studio space for other glass art manufacturing techniques. The high school also has a jewelry fabrication area.

Gallery 2011 is located at Enumclaw City Hall, 1339 Griffin Ave. Hours for the exhibition space are 8 a. m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Enumclaw City Hall is closed on national holidays and Tuesdays for municipal court proceedings. For information, call the Enumclaw Cultural Programs office at 360-802-0239.