"The Spirit of Winter: Paintings by Michael H. Lewis" will be on display at the Colby Museum of Art in Waterville from Sunday, January 23, through Tuesday, February 27. Lewis, a professor of art at the University of Maine at Orono, will exhibit 25 paintings of turpentine wash on rag board.

Lewis received his M.F.A. in painting from State University College, New Paltz, New York, in 1975, as well as an M.A. in painting from Michigan State University in 1964. As a professor of art at the University of Maine he teaches painting and drawing. He also has served as chair of the University of Maine’s art department for 12 years and as acting associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

In 1975 Lewis began developing his technique for using small amounts of oil paint washed on to a paper surface with turpentine. In the resulting paintings, as in watercolors, the luminosity from the white paper shows through very thin veils of washed paint.

"I was awed by winter’s subtle beauty and surprised by the intensity of the emotions and the breadth of the associations that this exploration of the season provided," said Lewis. "The point of departure for each of the paintings is the physical landscape, but they are also about the experience of ‘mystery,’ and about transcending limitations." The exhibit includes "The Field in Winter," "Winter Mist" and "Woman with a Red Scarf."

Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free, and the museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. For additional information, please call 872-3228.