Under the influence // Two shows draw on other cultures, ages

Julie Heffernan: New Works Through April 18 Peter Miller Gallery, 740 N. Franklin

(312) 951-0252Amy Lowry Poole: Signs and SymbolsThrough April 15Ann Nathan Gallery, 218 W. Superior(312) 664-6622Julie Heffernan's paintings look like 17th century Spanish courtportraits layered with a 20th century feminist consciousness.They're nudes, self portraits, still lives and allegory all rolledinto one with a quirky subtext that reassuringly suggests the artisttakes herself less seriously than she takes her painting.She takes her painting very seriously. These are masterlypaintings, the surfaces lush and detailed with Baroque lighting andthe kind of painterly attention to unfolding …