WOMEN&ART: BERNICE TAKES OFF!

THE PAINTERLY BERNICE KOFF "took off" like sparks from a comet's tail--with Explorations in Color, original works that augmented Dale Chihuly's glass culpture at Franklin Park Conservatory thru Feburary 25. Koff's responses, her "associations," --with growing things, with her daily life, and with glass sculpture--have been expressed thru bold, not rash, brush work--and thru tiny spots and dribbles. Her use of bright greens, oranges, reds--all the colors -- is exciting yet balanced. Her sense of design is unfailing, yet her affect is that of spontaneity. Koff is basically an abstractionist--but her representative side came thru, if slightly, in this show, and I wish I could have covered the Explorations earlier. Always a strong painter, Koff is a tireless artist and an excellent docent. Her "Franklin park paintings" danced on the walls; they were never trite.