When you walk into the Simon Michael Art Gallery at Coastal Bend College, you have to stop and stare at the paintings on the wall to make sure they’re actually paintings and not photos of men and women leaping and twirling in the air.

Jill Pankey paints that well.

Pankey worked from 2002-2012 at Texas State University where she was a faculty member in the Art Department before giving it all up to paint full-time.

She’s had gallery showings in New Zealand, New Mexico, Colorado as well as in San Antonio and Austin.

The paintings she has now on display show an impeccable eye for the human form.

“I used to own a fitness business, and I had no idea I was aging,” Pankey said.

“So it’s about body image and women and aging and color and pattern and movement.

“I’ve always been drawn to the figure. Mostly women, because I know my gender,” she laughed.

Her paintings are also extremely colorful and bright and nearly jump off the canvases on which they’re painted.

Pankey herself is a wonderfully open and hilarious person.

She welcomed students’ questions and critiques with honest, open arms.

She spoke of the hardships of being an artist and the artist’s greatest fear.

“The blank canvas.”

And though she’s a smart and funny woman, her artwork clearly speaks for itself. Or rather shouts at you to come closer and soak it all in.

She’s an outstanding artist and brought a refreshing exhibit to the CBC gallery.

You can see Pankey’s work from now until Feb. 14 at the Simon Michael Art Gallery in the Frank Jostes Visual Arts Building at Coastal Bend College in Beeville or visit www.jillpankey.com.

Paul Gonzales is the entertainment writer at the Bee-Picayune and can be reached at 358-2550, ext. 116, or at thescene@mySouTex.com.