Body Language: Rebecca Venn exhibits at 716

716: Fine Art presents "Body Language" a solo exhibit of figurative work by Rebecca Venn.

With a bit of nostalgia from its days in Kenosha, 716: Fine Art celebrates its one-year anniversary in Racine by inviting Kenosha-based artist Rebecca Venn for her first solo show. The new exhibit runs from July 25 through Aug. 17.

Venn's most recent works are primarily prismacolor and graphite, but she admits to using "whatever is in (her) hand…pencil, pen, (or) brush," choosing to let the subject or story of the work dictate the medium.

Acknowledging some of her influences, such as "Michelangelo's powerful figures, Van Gogh's passion, Hopper's mysterious stories and Sargent's exquisite light," Venn celebrates the strength, resilience and beauty of the nude, featuring soft, almost-melting body forms. Her art captures a "lightness of form, yet the weight of humanity," said one collector; another buyer said, "No artist is doing the kind of sensual, energetic and 'hot' works that (Rebecca does)."

"I try to draw from the inside out," Venn stated. "If the figure does not have bones and muscles then the figure will not have substance for the viewer. I rarely, if ever, draw every inch of the figure. I think the viewer needs to have room to get lost in the image; to bring their own stories to it."

"Body Language's" opening reception will be on Friday, July 25, from 6-9 p.m.

716: Fine Art gallery is located at 401 Main St. Operating hours are Monday through Friday by appointment, Saturday from noon- 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon – 4 p.m.