Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Love translates, whether through a sumptuous meal prepared with keen attention to its gustatory/visual appeal, or a vibrant, intricate painting created from the artist's palpable passion for the beauty surrounding her.

Viewing one of Meg Munro's exquisite watercolors, showcased at Galería Contempo beginning Friday, February 21st, demonstrates that principle. Her love affair with the Mexican culture and its breathtaking natural phenomena began nearly thirty years ago when she visited Morelia, intending to study Spanish, return to the U.S., and teach others the language. Gratefully, for art-lovers and collectors alike, however, she recognized her innate talent as a painter/illustrator and chose to pursue a new profession/life in this country.

In her upcoming exhibition, Añoranzas / Longing For Other Times, Munro captures the delightful nuances of familiar scenes and objects, breathing fresh intrigue into each through a time-consuming process that begins with a photo, proceeds to a drawing and ultimately to a painting in a limited palette of six colors. Employing a technique used by the old (oil paint) masters, known as grisaille, she under-paints her work in purple, which allows more variety in painting values - similar to the effect one achieves in stained glass work.

As a photo realist, she is faithful to replicating what the eye sees, but infuses her work with a charming fluidity that not only has viewers marveling at the accuracy of the representation, but also responding more emotionally to the subtext. As she paints, Munro sees beyond the image, and personally connects with the energy implicit in the subject matter. In a jungle-scape, for example, she experiences the vitality of the birds, plants, trees and flora/fauna within.

In this collection of eleven pieces, aptly titled "Longing for Other Times," one experiences a nostalgia for something that has yet to occur. With intriguing names such as "Market Shade," "Rafia Gladiolas," "Moses Cribs," and "Pescadoras de Lago Janitzio," the works, which range from 30" x 40" to 15" x 11", elicit a certain wistfulness coupled with equanimity.

Incorporating calming hues, fascinating patterns and compelling plays of light, her paintings appeal both aesthetically and spiritually. Her "glass-scapes" are doubly interesting in adeptly conveying transparency, while serving as a metaphor which invites one to see beyond the exterior surface, and discover who one truly is.

All are cordially invited to meet Meg Munro's at her opening cocktail reception at Galería Contempo, 252 Basilio Badillo, between 6:00 and 10:00 p.m. Friday February 21.