“Some of our most intense visual experience comes at us through the windshield of our cars – images made mysterious by reflected light and by the speed at which we travel. Sometimes I think, ‘I recognize that…’ but not quite, we went by too fast and it remains as a disturbance on the eye and a haunting presence in the mind. I want these disturbances and presences in my painting. In their resonance, they take on a sort of hyper-reality for me.”

So writes Sammamish artist David Allison, going some way to explaining the dark, fractured, indirect renderings of churches that form the central part of his latest exhibition, “Codex Severin.”

Presented by the City of Sammamish Arts Commission and opening at City Hall on April 7, Allison’s exhibition was born of trip to Paris a few years back, during which time he was inspired by the beautiful city’s old churches and cafes.

According to Allison, the architecture and mood of Paris sent his work in a new direction. Particularly, he was captivated by the church St Severin, and a café across the street. He joins thousands of painters, writers, sculptures and romantics who have been equally cast asunder or lifted skyward by one of the world’s truly great cities.

“The church is a marvelous pastiche from many centuries and many quarters of the city,” Allison said. “Sitting, sketching, thinking, and watching the changing light and sky around the old church brought me a new sense of awe and a desire to be drawn closer to my subject, into it as it were. I’ve brought some of that new mood to my local work as well.”

Sammamish art lovers and the social and curious are invited to the opening night reception at 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 6, City Hall.

The exhibition, part of the Arts Commission’s continuing program at City Hall with a primary focus on regional artists, will remain on display until June 11.