The upcoming exhibition at Two Villages Art Society in Hopkinton, features the work of Barbara Morse, an Amherst artist who specializes in graphite drawings. The exhibit, “Images of Life Re-Envisioned,” opens Oct. 14 at Two Villages Art Society’s gallery at 846 Main Street in the village of Contoocook.

A Connecticut native, Barbara Morse received formal art training at Paier College of Art. During more than 10 years as a freelance illustrator, she completed work for top publishing houses, advertising agencies, and national publications, including Yankee Magazine. She then developed and refined her own sharp-focus style working primarily in graphite. Her work is currently exhibited at galleries throughout New England.

“Everywhere I look is a potential drawing,” the artist says. Her detailed, realistic drawings depict a range of subjects, from teacups to baseball mitts, and include scenes of people reading, sitting on the porch, or playing chess. Hints of color in acrylics bring attention to a portion of the drawing, enhancing the entire image.

Morse enjoys taking ordinary objects and putting them in unexpected surroundings or looking at them in an unusual perspective. Each drawing takes from 50-200 hours to complete depending on the size and level of detail involved, and they are meant to be studied at close range. “My desire is to get the viewer’s thought process to extend beyond the natural order of things and to suggest a range of emotions from humor to hope,” she says.

The exhibit’s opening reception, on Oct. 14 from noon to 2 p.m., is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be available and live flute music will be provided by artist Dan Dustin. Two Villages Art Society’s gallery is open to the public free of charge Thursday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The exhibit closes on Nov. 11.

For more information, visit twovillagesart.org.

Two Villages Art Society is a non-profit, member-driven art association with a gallery located at 846 Main Street in Hopkinton’s Contoocook Village.