MIDDLEBURY — Elaine Ittleman paints large abstract landscapes. Bold and colorful, they have an improvisational feel and apparent joie de vivre. Ittleman is passionate about art and has been painting for over 20 years in various media including oil, watercolor and pastel. Her work has evolved through impressionistic landscapes to a more abstract approach. She will exhibit 14 recent oil paintings in the Jackson Gallery from May 19-June 25. An artist’s reception will be held this Friday, from 5-7 p.m. in the gallery.