Splashes of color commentary enhance watercolor paintings at the North Lake Town Hall Library.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But choosing even just a handful of words that do a painting justice can be challenging. Poet P.C. Moorehead has taken up that challenge with the inspiration of Teri Peterson’s watercolor paintings.

Both Moorehead and Peterson grew up in California but moved to Wisconsin four year’s ago. One day Moorehead visited Peterson’s gallery in North Lake. She felt a connection to Peterson’s work and purchased a piece for a gift. When they got to talking, the two realized that their talents complimented each other and they began a collaboration.

After six months the result, called “Juxtaposition,” is on display in the main entrance hall of the Town Hall Library in North Lake. The exhibit features watercolors by Peterson and poetry by Moorehead.  Contrasting painted pieces – such as Sunflower and Moonflower – are side by side with Moorehead’s rhymes accompanying them.

Peterson’s paintings are mostly flowers, often using bright, intense colors to evoke a positive response. Moorehead has chosen rhyme, rather than her usual free verse, and monosyllabic words to describe her response to the paintings.

Juxtaposition can be viewed through Sept. 30 during the North Lake Town Hall Library’s usual hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.