Nature has always inspired artists to create beautiful works. Claude Monet created approximately 250 different artistic variations of water lilies in his flower garden, and it's easy to understand why he produced so many of those paintings: Water lilies are undeniably beautiful, unlike, say, the West Texas desert spotted with cacti. But that's exactly what inspires Texas artist Michelle O'Michael to create steel sculptures, some of which are on display as part of the current exhibition also featuring works by Marci Crawford-Harnden and Ursula O'Farrell at Craighead Green Gallery. Like O'Michael's curvy, contemporary sculptures, Crawford-Harnden's paintings have natural origins and are often studies in the relationship between light and organic elements. For O'Farrell, however, inspiration comes not from nature, but from people. Her portraits capture the intimate relationships among women, hardships in families and moments of humanity that are often unnoticed. View inspired works from these three female artists at Craighead Green Gallery, 1011 Dragon St., through July 2. The gallery is open noon to 5 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturdays. Admission is free. Visit craigheadgreen.com for more information.
Mondays-Saturdays. Starts: May 21. Continues through July 2, 2011