www.artinfo.com JACLYN LORASO

"Brian Ormond: IIIII" at Foley Gallery
548 West 28th Street, 2nd floor, through February 19

Even though Brian Ormond scratches away at his layered oil paintings in such a painstakingly detailed way (undergoing a great deal of stress in the process, one can only imagine) the neutral tones and rhythmic patterns the Irish artist creates are soothing and softly beautiful — almost like more elegant versions of the calming doodles that one half-consciously scrawls throughout the workday.