SPRINGFIELD – A list of the people who collect the art of painter Paul Goodnight is impressive: Lionel Richie, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Samuel L. Jackson, Morgan Freeman, Steve Harvey and Illyassa Shabazz, the daughter of the late Malcolm X, are among the notables.

Goodnight’s work is now on exhibit at the Art for the Soul Gallery at Tower Square through June 16. The exhibit, called “Imagination to Application,” also features work from Ekua Holmes and Laurence Pierce.

His art is also in the collections of the Smithsonian, the Howard University Museum, the US Sport Academy, The National Center for Afro-American Artists and the Morehouse College Museum, among others.

Barry Gaither, director of the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, has written, “Paul Goodnight’s work sings. His sumptuous application of acrylic paint, pastels and other media convey his unique aesthetic philosophy to document the humanity of people around the world.”

Despite his fame, though, Goodnight is all about the creative process that he calls “evolution.” He used an analogy about apples. He explained a tree is grown from seed and produces apples. Evolution is what a person can do with the apples – applesauce, cider, etc.

In his case, it’s not just the different forms his art can take, but also how the public has been able to see it.

Looking at a pencil and charcoal drawing called “Do it Duet,” Goodnight talks about its creation as an experiment. This work is multi-layer, giving it a three-dimensional effect. He explained he started with the pencil drawing and then added layers with charcoal dust and some watercolor.

He said with a smile that many drawings wind up in the garbage can. “Your best teacher is your last drawing,” he said.

Asked which medium he loves the most and he responded, “I like challenging myself with all kinds of mediums. It allows me to experiment more.”

He added the name of the exhibit, “Imagination to Application” describes his approach to art – “no boundaries.”

He has written, “I would like to be a skilled and consummate draftsman.  I try to use a collection of sensuous colors, often revealing mysterious hidden forms.  I would love to convey the ability to see between the figures, melding and infusing them into an environment of endless nuances where abstraction and representational images are comfortable in the same space and where passion and humanity resonate.  Once I learn to do this well, I will be obligated to pass this on, just as this information has been based on to me.  Thank God for our masters!”

A Vietnam War veteran, Goodnight received his BFA and an honorary MA from the Massachusetts College of Art.

His career took an interesting turn in 1984 when one of his pieces was hanging on the wall of the set of “The Cosby Show.” Other art directors of television and film productions soon discovered his work and his paintings turned up in feature films such as  “Ghost,” “The Preacher’s Wife,” “Jackie Brown,” and “Gone Baby Gone.” Additional television appearances include  “Seinfeld” and ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.”

Goodnight readily admits that people don’t watch movies or TV shows to notice what is hanging on a wall of a set, but those appearances were subliminal advertising” and people asked him if he had a print of a particular painting.

To meet the demand, Goodnight formed a company to do just that: produce affordable prints of his work. Eventually he had a staff of seven people distributing his work to collectors.

The print company “helped get my pieces out there and gave other people employment,” he explained.

Eventually he had to stop producing prints – he sells this collection through his website www.colorcircle.com – he  is now emphasizing “developing artists” through teaching in this country and in Africa.

The Art for the Soul Gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday. for more information go to http://www.art4thesoul.org/