Juan Uslé's miniatures make a big impression

Juan Uslé makes the biggest little paintings around. At the L.A. Louver Gallery, all but one of the Spanish artist's abstractions measure no more than 24 by 18 inches (and some are half that size). Yet each leaves viewers with so much room to maneuver -- so much space to romp around in -- that they reawaken those great moments in life when everyday responsibilities fall away and freedom whooshes in: snow days away from school; watching traffic jams disappear in the rearview mirror as you hit the open road; all-day meetings that suddenly, unexpectedly, end at noon.

By David Pagel

June 6, 2008