The Art Gallery at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Cape Elizabeth will present paintings and works on paper by Maine artist Debra Yoo from Sept. 8 through Nov. 3. A reception and conversation with the artist will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 7 pm.

Gallery hours are Sundays; weekdays Mon - Thurs 9 - 12 and 1 - 4.

Debra received her degree in Fine Art and the Humanities from the University of Chicago. She has exhibited her work in galleries in Maine, Chicago, Boston and throughout the US, and has taught painting and drawing through the continuing education programs at MECAD and USM as well as privately. She maintains a studio in Portland.

"Six years ago, I decided to step away completely from realism and painting landscapes from observation, and find some way to incorporate my long fascination with Eastern Orthodox icons and my leanings towards patterns and abstraction. My recent paintings employ wood panels prepared with fabric and traditional gesso, multiple washes of dry pigments, casein paints, and sometimes metal leaf and oil paint. They retain aspects of the original Orthodox Christian imagery, and in some cases mirror the compositions of classic icons. Rather than telling a story, I am seeking to create an object that can be contemplated for its suggestions of universal themes as well as its formal visual relationships."