Laurel Winter has a group of paintings on the west wall that are interesting to look at; but not nearly intricate enough to justify $400 price tags unless they have special powers. Hopefully she has patrons. Anyway, Winter is the only one who has a true piece of poetic alchemy in the show. "Eve's Theory of Gravity" combines a watercolor rendering of Everymom with a poem:

“I was called a temptress; the fruit, sin.
Newton, when it bruised his head, became the father of physics, and his child, gravity, anchored us to this world. Because I took the first bite. Because my mouth asked the first questions."

There are a few other prose-poems in the exhibit that were framed and ornamented with necklaces by Elise Mathessen. Not exactly alchemy, more like decoration. "Wolfbane and Memory" is a little spicy at four hundred bucks, but you do get a free necklace. Anyway, here are a few lines:

"The extract of the roots, with belladonna, made an ointment that let you fly. You had to remember not to lick your fingers afterward if you valued your soul.
— John Calvin Remerski

Even without any poetic alchemy, prints in general are the thing to look for at the Eye of Horus. Artist Wendy Rose has the most interesting work in this show. Fair prices ($50-125) and truly unique talent with exotic auras and creatures of legend. The only thing I wish wasn't true about her prints is that the protective shrink wrap has lost its shrink and it was really hard to see through the glare.
Beth Hanson has her studio onsite and watches the store in the mornings. She has a few original drawings in the show; and a number of prints in the store. "The New High Priestess" poses a young hottie within the outline of a frog. The young soul of a woman expressed through the ancient zen of amphibians. Hanson's high quality prints are produced from her original oil paintings. She told me she's been painting for about 10 years. "Queens Knight" and her other work will be on display in the upcoming October show. Prints are available anytime during business hours. As Halloween approaches, Eye of Horus is nearing its first anniversary in business. While they couldn't get me an original copy of The Necromicon (it never hurts to ask), they can special order just about any occult, arcan, or Wiccan title available. Meanwhile a tarot deck or Rune stones will make a great pinch gift for your favorite freaky muggle. And who knows, maybe that old Nimbus 2000 you have sitting in the closet is worth something. ||

Poetic Alchemy runs through Sept. 26 at Eye of Horus Gallery, 2717 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls. . 612-872-1292.

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