Artistic Illusion

Russell B. McMillin, whose rough, nature-themed artwork has been seen in venues around Southern California in the past year, has been experimenting with different media. That’s especially true of his current batch of pieces at Buenaventura Gallery, where series titles such as “Explorations,” “Inner Sites” and “Meditation” suggest the artist’s comfort with transition and investigation.

Previously, we’ve seen his evocative crumpled metal sculptures, of which there is one example here. But the most impressive pieces in this show appear to be paintings with gooped-up surfaces. It’s an illusion, rigged with mixed-media instead of paint.

And on the subject of illusions, the imagery exists in a state somewhere between abstract Expressionism and topographical maps. He’s mining the territory between inner and outer terrains.

Large box sculptures on the floor are filled with gravel in various shapes and colors, making yet another accord between the ideas of art and the stuff of nature.

Highlights in the outer gallery: Carlisle Cooper’s blue-suffused, enigmatic portrait, “Two Duck Hunters,” and Ledlie Corse’s weirdly vivid still-life study.

* Russell B. McMillin, “Explorations: Paintings & Sculpture,” through Aug. 23 at Buenaventura Gallery, 700 E. Santa Clara St., Ventura. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.; 648-1235.