The art of premier watercolorist Michael Daly
Four stars

Don’t be surprised if you mistake the trees in a Michael Daly watercolor for Chinese characters. Daly, who now lives and paints in St. Paul, Minn., spent time in China during the mid-’80s learning from Chinese master painters. In “Hunter’s Pond,” it is possible to imagine that the trees in the background, composed in deft calligraphic strokes, are the characters from a Chinese nature poem. In “Daytrip,” there is a similar swampy forest setting, although with darker colors overall. This particular forest scene is rendered in such a way that much of the landscape seems constructed out of calligraphy. Much of Daly’s work is considerably brighter, however, than these particular examples might indicate. He likes painting flowers, for example, against a plain white paper backdrop. Whether dominated by a light or dark palette, Daly’s watercolors are deftly rendered and deeply felt representations of the natural world. Through Aug. 16; 317-844-0005.