Though most people recognize a Georgia O'Keeffe painting when they see it, they might not realize what the painting really depicts.

The meaning behind the art — and the influences that inspired O'Keeffe to create it — will be explored in "A Conversation with Georgia O'Keeffe," opening Saturday night at Pacific Repertory Theatre's Circle Theatre in Carmel (preceded by one Friday night preview performance). In Constance Congdon's stage play, O'Keeffe explains not only her work, but how she feels when people misinterpret it.

Directed by Kenneth Kelleher, the one-woman show stars Equity Actress Jessica Powell as O'Keeffe.

"Years ago I saw one of (O'Keeffe's) evening stars paintings from 1917 in Texas," said Powell. "It was relatively abstract, but so advanced for the time. It's so far beyond what you would have expected."

Indeed, O'Keeffe is known as one of the most innovative artists of her period, producing abstractions early in her career, when other artists were more interested in representational paintings, and becoming known later in her career for representational paintings inspired by close-up modernist photographs. She's best-known for her southwest-themed paintings, with subjects that include desert flowers, sun-bleached skulls and New Mexican land formations.

"Her flower paintings are gorgeous, but I like the barns too, because they're so clean and stark," said Powell, who has always considered herself a fan of the artist.

Like the

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title suggests, the play is written as a conversation with O'Keeffe, who gives a first-person perspective on her art, life and inspirations. She reflects on her life as a student, on meeting and marrying photographer Alfred Stieglitz, and on her seminal years as an artist in New Mexico. But Powell points out that far from being a factual account, this is a subjective rendering of the artist's life and times.

"You will find out some things about her life — but you're going to find out from her point of view," she said. "It's not a history lesson. She makes comments about people in her life, the bigots in her life. It's the information she wants you to have — and she had some strong opinions."

In preparing for her role, Powell looked at countless O'Keeffe paintings, read biographies and studied photographs. In addition, she researched all the references that her character makes in the play.

"I researched everything she talks about, so when I say these things, I can connect them to something in my brain," she explained. "I'm one of those people who needs that. I need to know. I need to find out who the influences in her life were."

Powell said that what she gained most from her research was a sense of admiration, adding, "I love the fact that she knew what she wanted and knew what she needed to do to express herself as an artist. She really followed her own path — and if it was necessary to be alone, that's what she did. She prized her solitude."

When asked what she hopes audience members will take away from the show, Powell answered, "Respect. I hope they come out realizing her paintings are not about what you think they are. I hope they see a bit of a person they want to know more about — from her perspective."

THEATER

·What: Pacific Repertory Theatre presents "A Conversation with Georgia O'Keeffe"

·Where: Circle Theatre of the Golden Bough Playhouse, Casanova Street between Eighth and Ninth avenues, Carmel

·When: Preview at 7:30p.m. Friday, Oct. 26; opening at 7:30p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27; continuing at 7:30p.m. Fri-Sat, with 2p.m. matinees, through Nov. 11

·Tickets: $16-$35 (discounts for seniors, children, students, teachers, military) at the Golden Bough Box Office, Carmel (Tue-Sat, 11a.m.-4p.m.), 622-0100 or www.pacrep.org