Stone lithographs tell wordless stories

“Stone lithography best describes my narrative and personal imagery as an honest and pure depiction of storytelling,” said the Cameron University art professor. An exhibit of her lithographs and drawings, “A Time of Protection,” currently is on display through Feb. 20 at the state Capitol’s North Gallery.

“Many of the works … are inspired by my love for narrative art and beautiful living forms from nature. I enjoy creating compositions that tell a story which refer to a personal or universal experience,” she said.

Images of birds, tornadoes and mountains fill the pieces; even though Liontas-Warren studied her craft in Connecticut and Texas, she has lived in Oklahoma since 1984, and her sense of place permeates the pieces.

Although the art is tethered to the Sooner State, she doesn’t subscribe to a specific interpretation of her work.

“I’m hoping the viewer will reflect and think about the narrative in each of these works,” she said. “The viewer can question and bring their own experiences.”

The pieces range from stark black-and-white to bright pastels, with meaning behind each color decision; the former “to celebrate the graphic history of early illustration in printmaking,” she said. “My large pastel works are in color to show a more emotional response to the subject matter of my personal iconography.”

With free admission, the gallery is open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-    4 p.m. weekends. For more information, call 521-2931 or visit arts.ok.gov. —Stephen Carradini

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