The Nature of Abstraction is an exhibit of Carol Beth Icard’s paintings and oil sketches. This work arose from hiking weekly with friends on the trails in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Experiencing lichen, exposed roots and the inevitable cycle of nature, Icard has documented forms, colors, textures, and lines in photographs and a group of oil sketches. Informed first by the experience, and then by the oil sketches, her paintings surface as natural gestures and intuitive choices of materials. A portion of each of her sales will be donated to Pacolet Area Conservancy.

The shows will remain on display through July 13. For more information, call 859-2828, visit www.upstairsartspace.org, or drop by the gallery at 49 S. Trade St., Tryon. The gallery is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

– article submitted by Harold Maass