"Transform the Tiny" by Laurie Gibb and "Discover the Covered: The Artist Process" by Melody Epperson each opened June 24 at Next Gallery in Lakewood and will run through July 10.

The mother and daughter artists, both members of Next, have distinctly different painting styles, but thematically are closely aligned with work exploring the natural world.

Gibb’s "Transform the Tiny" explores a world where the size of a seed was an indication of its importance. Imagine that our attention was grabbed and held so that we could examine and come to understand why the seed had evolved to be that shape and that texture.

In ‘"Transform the Tiny," Gibb’s artistic rendition of seeds and microorganisms captures the forms that have evolved over millions of years to create a structure that will provide for the continuation of that plant or organism on Earth. 

With the exhibit, Gibb continues her desire to honor the natural world, exploring the energy carried by the tiniest of forms that makes up our very life and our future on Earth. "Transform the Tiny" is a celebration of recognizing and honoring the smallest of efforts of hope and creation. 

Meanwhile, Epperson’s "Discover the Covered: The Artist Process" digs into the complex and mysterious thoughts inside the artist’s mind as she prepares for the exhibition, demystifying the process, turning it into artwork itself. According to Epperson, her creative process begins with curiosity, then research and the discovery of new ideas, finally moving to the studio for the creative act.

“I enjoy the process of digging into a concept almost as much as making the final art piece,” she said.

The official Next Gallery press release for the exhibition describes the topic of interest in Epperson’s exhibit and installation as inspired by the wisdom of trees and our need for connection. It says trees and forests support one another through an underground network of mycorrhizal connections, and Epperson’s work illustrates and honors that network, attempting to remind us that amid life’s dificulties and societal splits, there are millions of underground organisms stitching us back together.

The timing of these exhibits are perfectly timed to take place in Next Gallery’s new beginning at its new location at 6501 West Colfax in the new 40 West Art District building.