Catch some cool abstract art at Derek Hambly's recent opening at Woodland Gallery, 195 E. Main Street in Stoughton. I unfortunately missed the opening on July 25, but the work will be on display through Sept. 25.

Hambly makes this statement about his work:

"From the 1960s to 2008, the evolution of my work has gone from landscape to abstract to symbolic and is a major search for this ultimate power. I look for elements that will create the most powerful painting ever painted...my work now has a maturity. It is derived strictly from my past work and my own development, and a study of my own creative abilities."

Kevin Lynch, one of my predecessors here at the Cap Times, wrote about Hambly in 2006.

"His painting 'Sonata in Red' may be subject to the typically glib viewer response, 'My kid could do this.' Well, yes, but not nearly this well. Hambly's best work beautifully balances compositional control and gestural expression, commingling sinuously dancing lines."

Woodland Studios is open seven days a week. For hours, click here.

An opening reception we ARE in time to make goes from 7-9 p.m. this Friday, Aug. 1 at Project Lodge, 817 E. Johnson Street. "2D": A Group Show will feature work by 18 UW-Madison graduate students.

The students include Nathan Vernau, Pat Hobaugh, Dawn Turner, Soozy Tierney, Kat Riesing, Eric Shows, Paul Bergeron, Kathryn Petke, Ryan Grant Long, Noah Massey-Reiser, Matt Martin, Ben Brobst-Renaud, C. Benjamin Rosecrans, Joel Kieckhefer, Claire Stigliani, Sarah Stone, Kendra Larson, and Shelly VonGlahn.

Many of the artists will be at the opening reception to chat over food and drinks. The reception is free and the show will run until Aug. 14.

More information about the 2D art program is here.