Work by Russell D’Alessio.

“The Elite Stroke: New Works on Paper and Canvas,” a show of Russell D’Alessio’s recent works on paper and canvas.

Meet the artist during an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 5 at 12 Mt. Desert St., Bar Harbor, with music by Leavin’ Tulsa. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served. The reception is open to the public.

Triptych: “The Nature of Freedom.” Underscore: “Interior with Small Gift.”

Paper as a substrate has always been a favorite medium of his, beginning with his early days as a graphic designer. His studio is full of watercolor and hand-laid papers in all sizes. D’Alessio loves paper! Marrying these with ink, paint, gold leaf and collage bring forth a wonderful different dimension of his artwork than his works on canvas.

Like the paper art, an “elite stroke” is how each of these new compelling works on blank canvas began. Without sketches or drawings, D’Alessio says it is the first stroke of the brush that tells him where the painting is going. From there, his imagination tells him what the rest of the story holds.

To follow, a reception for “Outsider In: The Untamable Art,” showcasing work by guest artist Tom Coyle, will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 3.