By Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts opens a new exhibit on Friday showcasing colorful and  provocative works by figurative painter Eric Fischl.

Titled Dive Deep: Eric Fischl and the Process of Painting, the exhibition presents 145 paintings and photographs from 1979 to present.  Painter Eric Fischl describes his artistic process.

“I take snapshots of people doing certain things,” Fischl says. “And then in my studio and I see something again, I say, what is that person doing?  What is that person doing? Why are they standing that way or turning that way.”

Fischl’s technique has evolved over the years. He started with the human figure, created clay maquettes, and photographing them before re-creating the images on canvas. Now he incorporates technologies like Photoshop, before bringing scenes to life.

“I want people to look at these paintings like they are going to the movies,” he adds. “I want when you stand there, it just comes right at you.”

“Eric is exploring the human figure as a character and coming up with compositions that explore human emotions, human frailty, desire, all sorts of emotions,” says Museum Director Harry Philbrick. “He’s got a youthful perspective. A viewpoint that is very fresh.”

The exhibit runs through September 30th. For more info, click here.