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WHAT: "Dan Mitchell Allison: Searching," prints and prose by Mr. Allison, at William Campbell Contemporary Art in Fort Worth.

BACKGROUND: Since the mid-1970s, this Houston artist has been a full time print- maker, having shown work on four continents- and in in countless exhibits. The Modem . Art Museum of Fort Worth included one of his pieces in i~ initial 1989 much of Texas made fine art prints (along with works by James Surls, David Bates, Luis Jimenez and others). The "virtuoso printmaker," as gallery owner Mr.. Campbell calls him, some- times invents processes to satisfy creative visions. The first results of one such in- novation, a process Mr. Allison dubbed "polymer photogravure," are now on display here.

1b make the work, the artist places objects on a computer scanner -think of a photocopy of a hand or face -and manipulates- ulates the resulting digital image. He then has a lab make a large black-and-white transparency (24 inches square at times), which he uses to make intaglio like plastic plate in his studio, He uses lithograph- phy pigments and an etching p~ to produce the final prints from the plate.

HOW IT LOOKS: The two series on display are based on characters in several short stories that Mr. Allison has been working on for a decade. The tales are inspired by his college days at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. a town where "anything could happen," he sayS.

Nearly all the pieces have broken text from each Story superimposed on the image. Placards next to the work help viewers interpret the passages. One series shows flowers -moStly roses -colored in unnatural hues that make larger versions resemble an abstract painting. Less literal is a triumvirate of lovely O'Keefi'e--esque orchid close-ups in a deep orange-gold. Tomorrow, a short poem and print of a floral over the Wall Street skyline, was made in response 00 Sept 11.

The other set incorporates stills from film-noir movies to characterize Beatrice and Jack, two of Mr. Allison's story subjects. He over saturates the colors and fuzzes out the scenes to evoke even more mystery. The artist says he plans additional ) series based on other tales, a collection of which he hopes to publish someday.
 

Also included are four older, more traditionally produced prints. Bather and Boatman are two early-'90s examples on paper with syrupy emerald green tone. Big Chief and Black Rose are larger dual- panel versions with a tobacco-brown color. 

DETAILS: On display through Feb. 23 at the gallery, 4935 Byers Ave. in Fort Worth. Hours: ThP-..da.ythmugh Friday from IOa.m. to5 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to4p.m. and byappointment }.fee. 817-737-9566.
 

Mike Daniel