Wise County, VA native Hercel Stallard returns to his roots for this exhibition of southern landscapes in watercolor. Stallard is particularly fascinated by the ephemeral, light-filled transparencies that are characteristic of his medium. Working impressionistically, he abstracts his subjects down to their essential structures creating a flowing distillation of color and form. The gallery is pleased to host a free demonstration by Stallard during the opening reception. The public is warmly invited to attend this event on Sunday, October 4th from 2:30 - 4:30pm in the gallery. Light refreshments will be served. The demonstration will begin at 3:30. Those interested may also want to enroll in his Fall Plein Air Workshop in the Virginia Mountains, October 19-24, 2009. For more information, or to contact the artist, visit his website at www.hercelstallard.net/ Opening Reception and Painting Demonstration: Sunday, October 4th from 2:30 - 4:30pm. About the Artist: Hercel Stallard was born in Wise County, Virginia in 1929, spent his childhood there, and graduated from Wise High School. His mother's side of the famiIy lived in the area before there even was a Wise County, and he still has many relatives in the area today. Stallard was always involved in art-related employment, and after a long career in commercial art, pursued painting full-time beginning in the 1980s. He is largely self-taught, although credits many artists he has studied with or is inspired by for the trajectory of his work. Stallard currently resides in Florida. Images (l to r): St Margaret's, Watercolor on paper, 22" x 30", 2006 Leaves, Watercolor on paper, 15" x 22", 2006