In "Tre Impasto: Hans de Bruijn, Justin Garcia and Tomas Glass," Wade Wilson Gallery's latest exhibition and our pick for Friday, the Montrose area gallery brings together three long-time artists who each have unique painting techniques. "We chose these artists because of the dynamic conversation between them, not necessarily for similarities," Wade Wilson associate curator Mark Hougham tells us. "It'll create something symphonic."
The show features recent works from each artist. De Bruijn, who hails from the Netherlands, is known for his large dramatic paintings that emulate great landscapists like Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and William Turner. Houston native Garcia has been painting since he was a 'tween, over time developing a signature style that combines oils, acrylics and compound texture on canvas. Another Houston native, Glass likes to go back to basics; painting and drawing are the cornerstones of his compositions.
There's an opening reception for "Tre Impasto" from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, February 8. Regular viewing hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays. Through March 16. 4411 Montrose. For information, visit the gallery's website or call 713-521-2977.
Russell J. Sanders signs and discusses his first novel Thirteen Therapists on Saturday. The local author makes his young adult novel debut with a love story centered on high school student Aaron Hardaway. Aaron is a rich boy who drives around Chicago in his Benz SLK300. He seems to have everything - but a boyfriend. Enter bad boy Derrick.
Aaron's mother has sent him to a long series of therapists, each of them with a different viewpoint. His latest therapist - his 13th therapist - tells Aaron to keep his eyes wide open. But Aaron is too much in love to see beyond Derrick's handsome face and charm. Can Aaron keep his heart intact?
See Sanders at 3 p.m. at the River Oaks Bookstore, 3270 Westheimer. For information, visit the book store's website or call 713 520-0061.
Sunday is the last day for the Station Museum of Contemporary Art's group exhibition, ''HX8 [Houston Times Eight].'' The show reflects the museum's renewed commitment to displaying local artists. ''Our mission is to show artists who don't normally get into museum shows, whether because their work is too controversial or won't be accepted by everybody,'' says Kari Steele, assistant director for the museum. The eight participating artists -- Daniel Anguilu, Floyd Newsum, Serena Lin Bush, Robert Pruitt, Prince Varughese Thomas, Lynn Randolph, Fabio D'Aroma and Forrest Prince -- come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, and have different approaches and aesthetics. Prince Varughese Thomas contributes Body Count, an ongoing project focusing on civilian deaths as a result of U.S. involvement in Iraq. On a huge table, 108,000 pennies are stacked in orderly rows; one penny represents one civilian death. Daniel Anguilu is represented by a large, 45-foot-long mural done in his signature ''eastern-meets-Aztec'' style, according to Steele. It includes the phrase ''ninguna persona es ilegal'' (no person is illegal).
The works may or may not be widely accepted or commercially popular, but Steele says the museum's focus is to show interesting, not necessarily easily palatable, work. ''Other people's realities may not match your own,'' says Steele, ''and whether or not you agree, this is what people are creating.''
"HX8" can be seen 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Wed., Thu., Fri., Sat., Sun. Through February 17. Station Museum of Contemporary Art, 1502 Alabama. For information, visit the museum's website or call 713-529-6900.
Meredith Deliso contributed to this post.
