By Les Overlock
Special to the Herald

There is a wonderful collection of seven paintings now showing at Umpqua Bank. The artist is Connie Millholland. This body of work is the result of Ms. Millholland’s development as a figurative artist and evolving to the abstract form. The results are astonishing.
Connie Millholland has always been a painter of great skills as is exemplified by her large portfolio of figurative work. For her to move into the abstract meant that she utilized all of her basic skills to present the subject in an abstract form. Not a simple task.
It is important to note that this artist has taught drawing and painting for more than 20 years and has a solid grasp of color, form, and technique. Her first painting (all in oil) is entitled “Fairy Lights.” The colors evoke mystery of the landscape. Her second painting, called “Second Chance,” has more concrete images and gives us a hint as to a story that might unfold.
Her third piece is “Hiding Places” and behind the square images would be where the hidden would be.
Ironically, “Scrap World” has beautiful birds intertwined with patches of wood. The birds flourish within this dull backdrop.
Her fifth painting, titled “Mexico,” evokes beach scenes. Number Six is entitled “Waterfall” and shows us the perspective of looking down from the top.
Finally, my choice of “Best of Show” is “Sun Rise,” which is a tight painting representing abstractions of truth.
All in all, this exhibit is well worth visiting as we are fortunate to have such a gifted artist in our ranks.

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