This fall is a great time for pop art in Memphis, especially at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens in East Memphis.

I stopped by the Dixon on Friday to see their new exhibit "Lichtenstein in Process". Pop artist Roy Lichtenstein's finished works are shown next to their initial pencil, pen and colored pencil sketches. Standing far away from Lichtenstein's "Collage for Seductive Girl" (above), she looks like a blonde shaded in blues. Up close, the shading is a series of blue dots and her hair is almost the same white as the paper. Getting close to his collages reveals them to be pieces of tape colored with bhttps://ilovememphisblog.com/wp-admin/post-new.phplack marker and bits of colored paper over pencil lines. The Dixon is also showing "Carry Me! Lucite Handbags from the Carolyn Scheidt Collection". I'm not sure who Carolyn Scheidt is, but she has an amazing collection of retro plastic purses. The handbags were a total treat. They were absolutely beautiful and it was hard to believe that they were made out of Lucite.  I wanted to take them all home with me. Seriously - I was standing in the gallery planning what outfits I would wear with each. This pink one by Florida Handbags would look good with exactly zero items in my current wardrobe, but I would make it work. "Lichtenstein in Process" and "Carry Me" are both on display until January 17, 2010.  If you work during the day and can't make it to the Dixon before their 4:30 close time, the museum is open late (until 9 p.m.) on the third Thursday of every month. Go There: Dixon Gallery and Gardens 4339 Park Ave Memphis, TN 38117 (901) 761-5250