Taking a light-hearted turn, the painting of Karen Woods, in an exhibit entitled “Minushka: the muse,” is now up at Stewart Gallery until March 3. Minushka, a Russian term of endearment, meaning “my doll” or “my darling,” is also the name of a small blue and white porcelain doll a friend brought to Karen Woods from Russia many years ago. She holds an open vessel so the ceramic can be used as a vase; she resembles in shape and scale nesting Russian folkloric dolls. Woods explains that Minushka has “overseen” her studio work for many years, and, as a true muse should, she has inspired and served as a model for small watercolor studies painted at the beginning of each day in her studio, the way in which Woods always starts her working day, a warm-up for the work ahead. Woods writes that “… in true muse fashion (Minushka) demanded more serious attention. I began to paint her in oils.”

This new body of work marks a departure from Woods’ typical practice of painting from photos taken through the windshield of her car, often a rain-spattered one, which she calls “Streetscapes.” In these witty, light-hearted and colorful works, Minushka appears Zelig-like in a variety of settings, a sort-of blue and white Waldo, including one, “Stalwart,” where she is looking out through a rain-splattered window. I loved that funny nod to the streetscapes. Other oil paintings of various sizes also feature Minushka. In one especially colorful work, “Among the Nasturtiums & Queen Anne’s Lace,” Minushka stands in a field of orange and yellow nasturtiums with the lacy Queen Anne’s lace flower seeming to be growing from the jug she carries.