Barbara Tyson Mosley: Paintings from the Lost Nations Series, at Parish Gallery, 1054 31st St. N.W., Georgetown, Wash. D.C., 202-944-2310, through October 14, 1995.

The artist draws from Native American culture to wed collage, abstraction and symbolism on pieces which use string, buttons, rice paper, feathers, muslim and canvas to deliver the kind of work which one often sees inside those big plastic boxes in public art places. Viewed individually, the paintings are interesting and slightly different (I particularly liked "P12 'Sun Sky'", with its warm colors); however, viewed as a whole show, they seem almost repetitive and as if the artist is following a formula.

Richard Siegman: Recent Paintings, at Veerhoff Galleries, 1054 31st St., N.W., Wash. D.C., 202-338-6456, through October 14, 1995.

Gaugin is rumored to have criticized Van Gogh for his impasto use of paint; if true, he would have had a field day with the thick, almost sculptural use of acrylic paint by Siegman in these recent paintings. The paint is liberally used, exuberantly brushed, combed and sculpted into colors, pure whites and pure black canvasses. Some pieces are individually attractive in a painterly way; unfortunately, the overall result delivers works which are almost machine-like, with all pieces looking very similar except for colors and hues. "Sculpture Show" at Perry House Gallery, Alexandria, until June 8, 1995.

The one thing which Perry House seems to do better than any other gallery in the Greater Capital area is to consistently deliver great sculpture and this show is no exception.

Led by Jay Hall Carpenter, who also shows several new figurative drawings, the show consists of five other artists but is dominated by Carpenter's sculptures, including a superb marble piece titled "Summer Reading." Jan Sturza Heginbotham's very dramatic bronzes I found quite sensual with a hidden eroticism even in pieces such as "Swimmers."

Also in the show are several oil landscapes by Geoffrey Johnson, whose simple colors deliver powerful results, especially a piece called "Together." There are also some new photorealistic pieces by Jinchul Kim, whose work and mastery of the oil medium does not cease to amaze me every time I see one of his new pieces - If you like N.C. Wyeth, you'll love this guy.

There are also several nice Urushi lacquer paintings by Nga Nguyen as well as some acrylics of rural scenes by J. Sutton Wooddy. Finally, do not miss several new Glenna Goodacre sculptures in the upstairs gallery!

The author is a regional art critic for several art magazines and local newspapers. He is also an award winning artist and the co-owner of one of Washington's top art galleries.