Carla Paine's paintings at Olyphant Art Supply in Olympia are as rich and luscious as the settings for her portraits and still-lifes. They harken back to a time when artists were considered to have been chosen and blessed by God, when they painted their pictures for kings and popes and wealthy merchants. (Actually, that part hasn't changed much in 400 years.)

From distances of 10-20 feet her paintings look hyper realistic but upon closer inspection we see more expressive globs of paint. Paintings by such artists as Jan Van Eyck, Titian and Botticelli come to mind.

Read Alec Clayton's full review of Carla Paine's paintings in the Music & Culture section.

CARLA PAINE, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, through Feb. 1, Olyphant Art Supply, 117 Washington St. NE, Olympia, 360.556.6703