'Watershed: Prime Elements'

Janis Wilkey's oil paintings, on view at In-Town Gallery during February, celebrate the beauty of the South Cumberland Plateau.

"Watershed: Prime Elements" is composed of traditional, representational depictions of water, boulders, rock formations and plant life from the area.

"I love working with beautiful colors and harmonious patterns while concentrating my mind and energy on the underlying architecture of nature," she said.

In the past, Ms. Wilkey had focused primarily on murals and decorative painting but decided to set a new professional goal in 2003. Wanting to create museum-quality oils, she began taking classes from Daud Akhriev in Chattanooga and attending his workshops in Italy. Her exhibit at In-Town Gallery this month represents the culmination of that journey.

The gallery, 26 Frazier Ave., is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Call 267-9214.