John Borden Evans paints from memory, and those memories are of a whimsical, spiritual, natural, colorful world.

"These paintings grow out of the painting process," Evans explained. "When I begin, I have no idea what the finished painting will look like. Lately my paintings have transformed themselves into imaginary views of the world around our house in North Garden, Va. These paintings are like memories that I have uncovered hidden in the many layers of acrylic paint."

Callen McJunkin Gallery will present "Recent Works on Paper and Canvas" by Evans, opening Thursday with an artist's reception at 5:30 p.m.

Evans was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, to American parents. His father was a Presbyterian minister. He lives on a 150-year-old farm near Charlottesville, Va., and he draws from all of these experiences and more for his art: the differing landscapes of Scotland, New Zealand and Virginia; his family; and his exposure to religious imagery.

"His highly expressive and tactile images of landscape, and the animals that inhabit it, are whimsical and evocative of American folk culture," McJunkin said. "But beneath the simplicity lies a more complex and provocative undercurrent. Some of the animals in his paintings seem vested with an uncanny human emotion and stature."

Evans received a degree from Davidson College in 1979. He maintains an active exhibition schedule throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions in solo, group, juried and invitational exhibitions. He's won numerous awards for his paintings and works on paper. The exhibition of new paintings on paper and canvas travels to Washington, D.C., in February.

Evans' exhibition continues through Dec. 30 at the downtown gallery location in the loft over Stray Dog Antiques at 219 Hale St. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and any time by appointment.

The Downtown ArtWALK is 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 28. All events are free. The gallery offers free parking at the Huntington Banks garage across the street with gallery validation.

John Borden Evans paints from memory, and those memories are of a whimsical, spiritual, natural, colorful world.

"These paintings grow out of the painting process," Evans explained. "When I begin, I have no idea what the finished painting will look like. Lately my paintings have transformed themselves into imaginary views of the world around our house in North Garden, Va. These paintings are like memories that I have uncovered hidden in the many layers of acrylic paint."

Callen McJunkin Gallery will present "Recent Works on Paper and Canvas" by Evans, opening Thursday with an artist's reception at 5:30 p.m.

Evans was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, to American parents. His father was a Presbyterian minister. He lives on a 150-year-old farm near Charlottesville, Va., and he draws from all of these experiences and more for his art: the differing landscapes of Scotland, New Zealand and Virginia; his family; and his exposure to religious imagery.

"His highly expressive and tactile images of landscape, and the animals that inhabit it, are whimsical and evocative of American folk culture," McJunkin said. "But beneath the simplicity lies a more complex and provocative undercurrent. Some of the animals in his paintings seem vested with an uncanny human emotion and stature."

Evans received a degree from Davidson College in 1979. He maintains an active exhibition schedule throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions in solo, group, juried and invitational exhibitions. He's won numerous awards for his paintings and works on paper. The exhibition of new paintings on paper and canvas travels to Washington, D.C., in February.

Evans' exhibition continues through Dec. 30 at the downtown gallery location in the loft over Stray Dog Antiques at 219 Hale St. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and any time by appointment.

The Downtown ArtWALK is 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 28. All events are free. The gallery offers free parking at the Huntington Banks garage across the street with gallery validation.