By Ann Nichols Arts Writer

Margarite Sicard’s oil paintings of women and still life will debut at Hollis Gallery in the Southside on Saturday, April 5.

The opening reception, from 5 to 8 that evening, is being held in conjunction with the gallery’s participation in Palate 2 Palette, a fundraiser for the Craniofacial Foundation of America. The event combines each of the seven participating galleries in the Southside district with a restaurant/ caterer and a garden club/ master gardener.

One of the 12 paintings in Ms. Sicard’s exhibition will be auctioned for the fundraiser.

A native of France, Ms. Sicard moved from Florida to Chattanooga last June, and “Beauty and Romance” is her first solo exhibit in the city. The pieces in the show illustrate her love of color and her desire to convey sense of romance.

“I like to express my moods and emotions through the use of color as well as style,” she said.

Her paintings of women are reflections of who she wants to be and spring from her imagination, she said. Her still lifes are rarely based on an actual arrangement of objects either. She incorporates certain items that have special meaning to her. For example, books represent knowledge, while fruit and wine suggest good health.

Oil is her medium of choice because it is very forgiving, she said and “I need all the forgiveness I can get.”

Ms. Sicard has been painting professionally for the past 12 years, having studied extensively at the Scottsdale School of Art in Arizona.

“Beauty and Romance” will continue through April 30.

Hollis Gallery in the Southside, 1401 Williams St., Suite E-6, is open 10 a.m.-4: 30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and by appointment. For information, call 265-4444. For information concerning Palate 2 Palette, call 778-9176.