Ann Chamberlin approaches painting like an alchemist approaches a vile of life-giving succor—with tremendous reverence and passion. The new paintings on view at Lora Schlesinger Gallery mine some of the same archetypal themes she has visited previously. However these new paintings are steeped in the heritage of Mexican culture and each of these images function as a kind of visual talisman of grace, wit and elegance. Works like the enigmatic and seductive Sparklers are particularly winning, yet oddly sad, as though the figures in the image preferred their own isolation to the company of others. 

Lora Schlesinger Gallery
2525 Michigan Ave. #B5b 
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Show runs through July 11, 2015