Katren Cleo and Wendy James explore the universal within the individual this March in Face to Face at Loading Dock Gallery. Their portraits invite connection between viewer and portrayed.

Wendy James paints bold, intimate oil paintings, rooted in her personal photographs, using saturated color. Sitters words are included in the display, creating a narrative of personal meaning.

Katren Cleo focuses on communication through the body. Her charcoal portraits range from realistic to abstract, with bold marks and sweeping gesture. They resonate with dark emotion, private and familiar.

James has BA in art education and started painting at age fifty. Cleo trained as a photographer and has focused on drawing for four years.

Face to Face runs March 1-26, 2023 at Loading Dock Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA: open noon-5:30pm, Wednesday-Saturday, noon-4pm Sundays. Reception 3-5pm, Saturday, March 4. For details, visit www.theloadingdockgallery.com.

This show has been funded in part by a grant from the Lowell Cultural Council, an agent of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Loading Dock Gallery is part of Loading Dock Arts, Inc., a 501c3.