Dreams of a Unified Field

* What: Paintings and works on paper by Lorey Hobbs, plus work by Homare Ikeda and Lorelei Schott

* Where and when: Carson van Straaten Gallery, 760 Santa Fe Drive; through Feb. 14

* Lush life: Lorey Hobbs loves paint, and in this show, it's clear that paint loves her back.

Hobbs' approach to abstraction involves taking a view of nature and, through her personal perspective, rendering the landscape as voluptuous fields of paint. Dark and bright play off each other, rich contrasts that show a firm hand in terms of expressing her intent. So Field of Inquiry and Messenger, both from 2008, ask a viewer to explore her placement of color as well as the influence of line and form.

Also, the gallery has included a handful of Hobbs' works on paper, in which she moves into a more expansive, open style that includes collage and mark-making. These works - some with the involvement of a rough material such as cardboard - show a new aspect to Hobbs' growth as an artist.

On view as an adjunct to Hobbs' work are pieces by Homare Ikeda and Lorelei Schott, who also concentrate on abstraction and take inspiration from the natural world.

Ikeda's concentration on shape, line and texture comes through in paintings defined by their complexity. And Schott's inclusion of collaged elements in her mixed media pieces and monotypes helps define her study of our link to nature.

* Information: 303-573-8585; sandycarsongallery.com

Mary Chandler is the art and architecture critic. chandlerm@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2677