The Prints of Sean Scully, on view at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, is a thoughtful mini-retrospective chosen from a master set of prints that the artist gave to the permanent collection. Of the artist’s defiant set of prints, these are an answer to the ubiquitously decided notion that abstraction is super passé. His use of multiple printmaking methods on each print gives the works their tension. You name it, he’s done it: aquatint,…

Sean Scully loves to paint. The bulk of the pieces currently on view at The Phillips Collection are wall-sized oil paintings saturated with rich color and layer upon layer of paint. Visible brushstrokes are everywhere. The tones vary from cool grays, blues and blacks to warm rusts, yellows and pinks. The floating blocks of color — reminscent of Rothko — have blurred, soft edges. Bright yellows and oranges peek through darker foreground colors. Even without…

>> Last weekend The Phillips Collection’s exhibit of work by Sean Scully opened. This is the first U.S. show of his Wall of Light series, inspired by a trip to Mexico 20 years ago, according to the Museum’s web site. This show is also a good chance to see the Phillips’ newly-expanded space, in case you haven’t already. Niels by Sean Scully is shown at right. >> Busboys and Poets, the new coffeehouse/restaurant/”gathering place” at…