The Howell Gallery is pleased to announce "Sailing into Spring," a solo exhibition of new mixed media paintings by Suzanne Mears. The exhibition opens Thursday, March 5th with an artist’s reception from 5-7pm.

When the March winds blow, the sun gets brighter, and spring flowers start to emerge, it's the perfect time to present a show of new floral paintings. Mears brings a whimsical collection of colorful, joyful, and energetic works featuring spontaneous splashes of floral exuberance, textured layers, and a contemporary abstract approach.

The paintings, created on canvas, paper, and board, employ a rich variety of media including fluid acrylics, oil stick, alcohol inks, and pencil. Several pieces feature three to four coats of resin as a medium, adding luminous depth and dimension to the work.

For the past 25 years, Mears has concentrated primarily on fused glass, a demanding medium requiring mastery of precise firing techniques. While painting was always part of her creative practice, the technical demands of glass became a full-time pursuit. Her signature style—colorful, bold, and contemporary—has now found renewed expression in these paintings, which continue her exploration of joyous color and spontaneous mark-making.

Complementing the paintings are glass sculptures featuring cresting waves and sailboats, providing the inspiration for the exhibition's title and bridging Mears' established work in glass with her renewed focus on painting.