What: Pursuance of Image, an exhibition of paintings and drawings by University of North Texas alumnus and archivist Sam Ivie.

When: Aug. 15 (Monday) – Sept. 3 (Saturday). The reception is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18 (Thursday).

Where: UNT on the Square, 109 N. Elm St., on Denton's historic courthouse square.

Cost: Free

More information: Call 940-369-8257 or find more information, including directions, at UNT on the Square online.

DENTON (UNT), Texas -- A new exhibition at UNT on the Square features the paintings and drawings of University of North Texas alumnus and staff member Sam Ivie.

Pursuance of Image features 35 pieces of work over two decades by Ivie, who graduated from UNT in 1997 and works as a processing archivist for UNT Libraries. Ivie's work has been exhibited in various galleries and art centers in Dallas-Fort Worth and in Michigan.

The show will run through Sept. 3 (Saturday). The reception is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18 (Thursday).

Many of the works feature portraits of family members and friends and images of models the artist works with, as well as invented imagery.

"There's something I really like about working on this flat surface and creating this world," Ivie said. "It's like a 3-D world but it's not really reality."

His works are often done in ink, and he often uses a technique called stippling, in which the darker forms of the ink create the most density. For his paintings, he often uses watercolors. He said he exploits surface texture in his paintings and drawings because it gives images something they ordinarily wouldn't have.

"If you have any appreciation for the process of creating a painting or just like beautiful imagery, I think there's something there for people to enjoy," Ivie said.