Description

Exhibition Dates: May 1 - May 30, 2026

Reception: Friday, May 1, 6-8 pm

Artist Talk: Thursday, May 13, 5:30-7 pm

Mysteriously Optimistic presents a vibrant collection of watercolors by Ron Thurston, an artist whose long career in graphic design continues to shape his visual language in compelling and unexpected ways. Radiating with color, rhythm, and intentionality, these paintings blend both control and spontaneity, a perfect example of creative play.

Curious of the world, its people, and its tools, Thurston puzzle-pieces together his unique perspective for us to explore. Saturated colors, patterned backgrounds, deceptive lines, and neon figures spark conversation and wonder. What is truth is not always what we see. His curiosity is contagious, gently shifting our own gaze until we begin to see the world through a new and dynamic lens.

Thurston’s background in design is not simply a past profession; it is an active force within his works. While his paintings reveal a deep understanding of composition, color theory, and visual hierarchy, they simultaneously celebrate the fluidity of watercolor — its uncontrollability, controlled. Through this interplay, Thurston combines structure, design, and play into something alive and captivating, and asks viewers to pause and look, even for just a second. 

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Colors From Above (left)

Land's End (center)

Paint Escape (right)