Reception Thoughts on "Through The Envelope" - John Simpkins & Paul Alan Bennett
John Simpkins -- So many wonderful people came to the
opening of Through The Envelope! Old friends, new
friends, people I had not yet had the pleasure of meeting...all
gathering together to celebrate the work that Paul and I had
created. It was a team effort, an evening that focused on the
outcome of over six months of love, imagination and work.
The
gallery had a warm celebratory feeling that night.......a large vase
of flowers graced one of the tables, and there were bountiful hors
d'oeuvre and wines for those in attendance. Soft elegant guitar
music filled the gallery, played by the very talented and handsome
Jacob French. Paul and I had created some special "Through The
Envelope" envelopes mounted on some of our old paint brushes,
and some of us had some fun playing with those, holding them up as
masks to look through. There was so much warmth and frivolity
in the gallery that night!
One of the most remarkable moments
for me was when I met two collectors from New York who also have a
home in Black Butte. They come from Danish heritage, and they
asked if I happened to be Danish also. I admitted that I was at
least 1/4 Danish, that my Great Great Grandfather had been a Danish
sea captain. I was curious as to why they had asked.
They told me that they noticed a strong Danish sense of design and
symbolism in much of my work. My ceramics appealed to them and
they purchased one of the most important pieces from my new
collection. I was greatly honored.
Andrew Moore, writer
for the Bend Bulletin, had written a story on Paul Alan Bennett and
me for the "Go!" magazine section of the paper,
calling us "Brothers in Art". I like that
title very much! Paul and I are indeed brothers in art, and our
work is complimentary, it shows well together. What a privilege
it has been to work with Paul over the months in order to create this
show!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the
gallery and the wonderful sales staff for their dedication and
support through the years. To Paul, my deepest gratitude and
deepest bows for his good nature and remarkable imagination,
friendship and humor. We spent many a moment doubled over in
laughter during the production of this show! To James
Martin, my sincere thanks for all of his remarkable help in gilding
my frames and documenting my work. And to all of my collectors
and friends who attended the opening, my warmest thank you!
What a supreme pleasure it has been, the journey over the past six
months that has culminated in this special show. For those of
you who have not yet visited the gallery and this showing, please
take some time to make a visit, I think you come away refreshed and
perhaps your imagination will be massaged by the images that Paul and
I have created especially for you.
I look forward to our next
showing, and a chance to meet each and every one of you!
John
Simpkins - August 15, 2007
Paul Alan Bennett --
I thought it was a great success- an
"event" for Sisters and the surrounding community. I
enjoyed being a part of it and felt that all involved shared the
same feeling. I met many interesting people from various
parts of the country and well as from old friends from various places
and times in my life. I found it curious that so many people
asked me what was my favorite painting. My pat answer of
responding, "well, I feel it's like asking a parent who his
favorite child is" didn't really carry much weight so I
pointed out things I liked about "Drifting Through Time Over
Black Butte" and "Nocturne." Everyone had their
own favorites and it was interesting to hear how those varied.
Many people liked the boat image (Drifting Through Time Over
Black Butte) as well as the Nocturne, but other choices were the
sheep, the Wedding Dancers and Chief Paulina. I thought that
the work seem to speak to everyone in a different way and I
enjoyed seeing that.
The show was a very successful group
effort on the part of The High Desert Gallery (framing, publicity,
reception) and the work that John and I did. John and I both
challenged ourselves with new media which pulled us in
new directions. New ideas come out as a result. The
show's theme, "Through the Envelope" gave many
opportunities for innovative advertising and a fun brochure.
There was a certain French costume ball party in the flavor
of all this. This was greatly aided by the music of Jacob
French and the refreshments.
Since the opening, I've had
several people make a point of telling me how much they enjoyed
the show. They even mentioned enjoying the ad! All this
helps to make the opening a community event that all can
take pleasure in.
Paul Alan Bennett - August 15, 2007
It is with great pleasure that the High
Desert Gallery Staff and Directors announce the recent recognition of
the 2007 “Top 100 Art & Framing Retailers” Award from DECOR
magazine. The award is for year 2006 and follows prior years of “Top
100” recognition in 2004 and 2005. “This award could not be
possible without the support of the Central Oregon Community,
our professional and talented artists, clients, business partners and dedicated staff,”
stated Myrna Dow, Gallery Director.
