Something very big is happening at the Albert Lea Art Center.

Big in scale, that is.

Jaclyn Garlock of Clear Lake, Iowa, has brought her 27 large representational paintings for the June gallery show.

Garlock has been working as a printmaker for many years, selling fine art prints at art fairs, but just started creating her large paintings of people at the end of 1998.

&uot;I’ve been trying to build a body of work,&uot; she said. &uot;But I only got two done last year.&uot;

Garlock said she uses intense color, contrast and representation in all her work.

&uot;I have a physical and psychological need to be surrounded by color &045; real color &045; with high contrast from bright lights to the darkest dark mixed with intense jewel-tone primaries. Black is the best ‘neutral’ I know. I want bold paint and strong images, art that speaks up and knocks your socks off. I want my art to interrupt you and make you stare and not let your forget that it is there,&uot; she said.

The artist also said she needs contrast in color, and also in her life. &uot;I am sort of an unconventional girl living in a small, conventional rural town. It is a minimal stress, minimal crime, no-traffic-jam way of life where we signal to change lanes, look you in the eye, and say hello to strangers on the street. My art is my way of busting out of the mold, looking for a little less white bread and a lot more smoke. The images I paint are an escape from the smothering politically correct, hopefully injecting a little humor. Though I am serious about what I do, I don’t take myself too seriously,&uot; Garlock said.

For the artist, any other style of art, other than representational, is contrived. &uot;I generally see things as they are, and express my thoughts and ideas with a face that is instantly recognizable, even to the less discriminating viewer. My images must be straightforward, no questions, no deep thoughts, and no hidden messages. If I attach personal meaning, it is only truly understood by me, and I would rather give the viewer and opportunity to appreciate the work from his or her own point of view than insist they see it the same way I do,&uot; she said.

Garlock said representational art usually tells a story, and hers is no exception.

&uot;I begin with a few scenarios, or short situations. These ideas are triggered by various things, the way my models look, or a costume or a prop. I do a photo session and direct the subjects to act out simple plots as though in a scene of a play. We then expand on these themes and go where they lead us with whatever costumes or prop changes are called for. The images I ultimately choose to become paintings are ‘suggestions.’&uot;

Garlock said reaction to her paintings has been very positive. &uot;I knew men would like them,&uot; she said. &uot;I was amazed at the number of women who liked them. One woman said, ‘It looks like you painted me.’&uot;

This is the first time all of Garlock’s representational paintings have been exhibited in one place at one time.

The show opens today and runs through June 28. Regular gallery hours are from noon-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays.

The opening reception is Sunday, June 1, from 2-4 p.m. The public is invited and refreshments will be served.