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

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