BATH — Splashes of rich color dance across the paper and canvases of Richard Sears in his solo show, opening tonight at 11 Centre St. — the temporary exhibition space of West Island Gallery. A reception for the artist runs from 5 to 7 p.m.

The largely recent work ranges from local landscapes, such as the scenic overlook at Thorne Head, still lifes of flowers, and evocations of snow-thaw patterns and rural scenes.

The show will be available for browsing and purchase through Nov. 24, Wednesday through Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m.

Sears, a resident of Bath for nearly 20 years, taught painting and drawing at the University of Michigan for 35 years. His work has been shown in Maine, Michigan, Iowa and California and is represented in museums both in Michigan and California.

For Sears, a news release said, the importance lies in the seeing. He finds the sacred in the rocks and trees, water and skies of Maine. In his teaching, Sears sought to communicate his belief in the power of close and repeated observations, where beauty is not just in the exotic, but also in the everyday.

For more information, visit www.westislandgallery.com.