IN NATURAL LIGHT: PAINTINGS BY VALOY EATON, Gibbs Smith Publishing, $39.95, hardback, 106 pp., 205 color plates.

Valoy Eaton's paintings are to Thomas Kinkade's art as Bernini's "Ecstasy of St. Theresa" is to Gumby. Unlike the professed "painter of light," Eaton knows light, interpreting its impact on man and nature with honesty, craftsmanship and soul. His book "In Natural Light," a gallery stroll through the artist's best work, provides proof.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, the artist's cousin and obvious champion, offers the book's foreword, and Vern G. Swanson, director of the Springville Museum of Art, furnishes a concise and comprehensive biography of the painter, replete with captivating insights from their college art days together.

With more than 200 paintings, publisher Gibbs Smith offers readers a chance to witness the integrity and beauty of Eaton's expression for themselves. In addition, the artist provides tidbits of artistic wisdom helpful to aspiring artists and intriguing to art enthusiasts.

"As a small boy," Eaton writes, "I remember standing under a huge mulberry tree by our house and marveling at the beauty of the sunlight flickering through the leaves and branches and hitting the ground below." He confesses to being influenced by this mental image even today, 50 years later. "I have been caught up with the beauty of sunlight and shadow ever since."

In addition to offering works from museums and private collections, "In Natural Light" includes a special collection of 25 of the artist's paintings given to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for use in its temples throughout the world.

As always, Gibbs Smith has turned out a quality item. "In Natural Light's" reproductions of Eaton's paintings — whether watercolors or oils — are faithful to the originals, a feat not often accomplished by other publishers of art books. The binding is good, and its all-around presentation will make it a lovely addition to anyone's library.

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