Taylor McFerrin performs at July 30 reception Author, Screenwriter and Designer John S. Couch’s solo exhibit, “Chuushin,� opens at the Topanga Canyon Gallery on July 29 and runs through August 14. A reception on July 30, from 4 to 8 p.m., opens with a very special performance by Taylor McFerrin. Chuushin. means “The Center� in Japanese. It is composed of two kanji characters: middle and heart. For the artist, the poetry of the characters evolved from the sense of being in the middle of a maelstrom during the pandemic. Couch’s palette didn’t darken but actually became an explosion of color—the paintings transformed into talismans against the ever-escalating stresses of climate change, political strife, and COVID-19. The color black remained as a memento mori of the impermanence of life. His works feature abstract compositions created with Japanese polymer on canvas that draw on his mixed Japanese-American heritage. The artist finished the series with a monochromatic self-portrait signaling his completion and peace with the process. Chuushin is about finding courage in the face of the unknown, embracing discomfort and change; it’s about finding one’s place at the center of it all. Beyond creating art, Couch is also a published author, most recently with “The Art of Creative Rebellion,� and a screenwriter of film and TV. He was recently Head of Product Design for Hulu and is currently consulting with Blockchain Creative Labs, forging the future of content creation on blockchain technologies. “Chuushin� will be exhibited from July 29th to August 14th. Opening reception will be on July 30th, from 4 to 8 p.m., PST with a musical performance by Taylor McFerrin. Topanga Canyon Gallery is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. and is located at 137 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, CA 90290. For information: topangacanyongallery.com; (310) 455-7909. John S. Couch’s social links: john-couch.com; Twitter: @titaniumsky; Instagram: @theartofcreativerebellion; @shadow.and.sun.art; Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/johncouch.