“NATURE, TONE, AND TEXTURE”: Artist Abigail Ella Johnson of Princeton is shown with works that are part of her dual exhibition with Margaret Simpson, on view through January 3 at Merwick Care & Rehabilitation Center in Plainsboro. An opening reception is on November 14 from 5 to 7 p.m.

In collaboration with West Windsor Arts Center’s dual artist series, a new art exhibit entitled “Nature, Tone, and Texture” combines watercolor realism by Margaret Simpson with acrylic abstractions by Abigail Ella Johnson. The exhibit is on view through January 3 at Merwick Care & Rehabilitation Center, Lobby Gallery, 100 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro Township.

The public is invited to attend during the center’s normal visiting hours. All artwork is available for sale by contacting either artist. An opening reception will be held on Tuesday, November 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be available.

Simpson’s detailed, realistic watercolor landscapes invite the viewer into each scene, evoking a relaxed state of serene observation. Her glazing techniques allow for a nuanced depth of subtle color shifts. Images of marshes, water and woods fill the gallery. A retired graphic designer from Hamilton, Simpson now teaches watercolor painting. Her interests include photographing nature for inspiration, the history of the region, sketching and painting in various media, and writing. As a volunteer for two nonprofit executive boards, she has served the Friends for the Abbott Marshlands for five years, and the Garden State Watercolor Society (GSWS) for 12 years. A GSWS Signature artist, she is also a member of Artists at the Station, Hopewell; West Windsor Arts Center; New Jersey Water Color Society; Philadelphia Watercolor Society; and North East Watercolor Society. Simpson has won awards at Phillips Mill, New Hope, Pa., and in New Jersey at GSWS, Chesterfield Heritage Plein Air, and the Mercer County Senior Arts Show.

Johnson’s abstract tones and acrylic textures are reminiscent of those found in nature from stone, the depths of water with hidden plants, the soft greens of mosses, and muted tones of fungi and forests. They also instill calm and a density that resonates like hearing the deep rumbles of the earth or feeling the immense presence of a large cliff nearby. Johnson is an artist, writer, and editor based in Princeton. Having grown up in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, she has developed a profound appreciation for and interest in the natural world. Her work spans many mediums, from visual art to poetry. It is driven by a deep desire to understand humanity’s ever-evolving place in nature, and how it shapes our experiences. As a result, she explores various contexts, investigating natural phenomena from personal, historical, scientific, social, and cultural perspectives. Her work constantly seeks to bridge gaps, blurring the lines between the disciplines, the personal and the objective, the natural and the artificial.

For more information, call (609) 759-6000.