"Sanpete Valley Farm" is another admirable piece. The proportions in the composition are consummate, but the sky, once again, is masterful. "I'm going out to see if there's something happening about the sky," she would say, according to Ericson.

Two other wonderful works are "Strate's Barn" and "Eureka Chapel."

Unquestionably, Peacock's handmade frames will be a topic of discussion during the show. Each was individually cut and painted to harmonize with the colors and composition of the finished painting, emphasizing the loneliness and isolation of central Utah.

To understand the importance of these frames, look at the few pieces in the show without their original frames. They are uninteresting and render what would have otherwise been a wonderful painting to a less-appreciated work of art, hampering Peacock's original idea.

"Ella at 100: The Paintings of Ella Peacock" is a very good exhibit, and for those not familiar with the artist, it's a great introduction to her work.

Would Peacock have liked the show? "She would have been thrilled to see this exhibit," said Ericson, "but she would have never come to the opening. She would have been too embarrassed."

---

If you go

What: "Ella at 100: The Paintings of Ella Peacock"

Where: Museum of Utah Art & History, 125 S. Main

When: Through Sept. 4

Gallery hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

How much: Free

Phone: 355-5554

Web: www.muahnet.org

---

E-mail: gag@desnews.com