Susan Christian continues to show the strongest art to be seen in Olympia in her little "Project Space" at Salon Refu. Her latest show is "Thomas Johnston Palmpeset II, Paintings and Photography."

This is some powerful stuff - most notably "Envelop," the painting used on the posters and invitations. It is a large and imposing painting in oil on linen over panels that are shaped as two triangles over a rectangular base, 48 inches high by 72 inches in width. The face of this painting is a modulated surface of running, dripping, layered and scraped rust-colored paint. The two inverted triangles created a negative shape that is a third triangle - the blank white wall between the triangles reads as a positive shape so that the positive-negative push-pull is as strong as a battle of wills. This is minimalist, color field painting at its very best with a delicious touch of gestural abstraction.

Read Alec Clayton's full review of "Thomas Johnston: Palmpeset II" in the Music & Culture section.

"THOMAS JOHNSTON: PALMPESET II," 2-6 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, and by appointment, May 9-25, Salon Refu, 114 N. Capitol Way, Olympia, 360.280.3540