Where Rivers Meet – The path of two
artists, one painter, one sculptor. Please join us for a wonderful evening with Paul Alan Bennett and Cary Weigand.
Artist Reception -- "Where Rivers
Meet" -- Opening Artist Reception for Paul Alan Bennett and Cary
Weigand
Saturday, July 26, 2008 from 4–8pm
High Desert Gallery, 281 W Cascade
Avenue, Sisters Oregon 97759
Refreshments, Live Music by Bellavia,
Meet Paul & Cary
New Original paintings, Fine Art
Prints, Sculpture and More
Free and open to the public
541-388-8964 / 866-549-6250
Where Rivers Meet – The path of two
artists, one painter, one sculptor along two rivers that flow together
with energy and an almost spiritual convergence. In preparation for
the exhibition and sale we asked Paul and Cary to comment on the
show and their work.
Paul Alan Bennett: The theme for this
show evolved out of a discussion I had with my friend, John
Simpkins. I had just finished a painting on the subject of where the
Metolius River connects with Lake Billy Chinook and was discussing
this idea with John. He mentioned that where rivers meet is often
considered a place of power in the Buddhist tradition. Shrines and
prayer flags are often placed where rivers meet. It is a place for
spiritual retreat and contemplation. Later, as I thought over our
discussion, it occurred to me that this idea would make a good theme
for a group show. After all, such a show is about the flowing
together of our own personal, spiritual “rivers” with those of
others. While working on this theme for the show, I did an art
residency at a school in Rainier, Oregon. I stayed in a house that
overlooked where the Columbia River and the Cowlitz River meet. It
was obvious that this meeting of two rivers was not a place of
spiritual contemplation but, rather, a place of commerce, industry
and concrete. Airports, factories, highways, bridges, endless stores
and parking lots abound. This was far from the original idea for the
theme of the show. However, who is to say that this picture does not
have its’ spiritual side? That what I was seeing was a crossroads
of hopes and dreams of individuals from all over the world? My guess
is that such crossroads are busy places everywhere, filled with
people trying to support their life styles, feed their families and
find meaning in their work and play. It all offers much food for
thought.
Cary L Weigand: Where rivers meet;
defined by two or more down-ward traveling bodies of water converging
creating a place were water collides to make one. The result is a
place of intensified energy and enrichment. Buddhist cultures often
build shrines, or stack rocks in these special places.
Using this theme as a metaphor for life
there are two central ideas and themes that I present in my work for
this show. 1. Water as a metaphor for
consciousness. 2. The converging of water synonymous
with how our lives come together with other people creating meaning
and enrichment in our lives.
Water as a metaphor for consciousness;
water has the quality of energy and reflection. Our identity is
caught up in the physical and mental worlds. Both these worlds
reflect back to us what we perceive, likened to the surface of the
ocean reflecting back to us the sky, the boat, and the body peering
down at it. However, if we keep looking, we know that water can be
penetrated, and beyond the surface is a deep, vast place.
This is like the reality we see all
around us. The desk, the table and wall, these are only the surface
of things. If we keep looking, we may begin to see through there
surfaces, to find a flowing, vast, and deep sea, that of which is the
infinite depth of consciousness we live in.
This theme presents its self in my
works as portraying consciousness flowing out of people and animals
eyes, nose, mouth and ears.
Second. As two bodies of water
converge, they swell and become stronger. It is the converging of
friendships, lovers, and enemies who become powerful instigators in
formulating our purpose in life. Rivers colliding, to me is a theme
about the journey of creating love and meaning for our existence.
This journey in my work is represented
as the boat that figures are riding within.
About Paul Alan Bennett: Award winning
professional artist, educator, and art advocate, Paul Alan Bennett
has garnered national attention. Paul's imagery is passionately
detailed and manifests a unique perspective and style resulting in
colorful, vivid imagery sought after and collected nationally. Honors
graduate of Maryland Institute of Art and Master of Arts from The
University of La Verne (Athens Greece), Paul has excelled in the
field of watercolor and most recently in the release of a select
group of Limited Edition Fine Art Giclee Prints and worked closely
with Pendleton Woolen Mills to release limited edition tapestry
blankets. Paul's work has been reproduced for two Sisters Folk
Festival Posters and the 2008 Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show poster. His
style and perspective originate from memories, life experiences and
travels that sparks many of the themes found in this Sisters artist's
work. Paul Alan Bennett's artwork is represented by High Desert
Gallery & Custom Framing of Central Oregon.
About Cary L Weigand: Born
and raised sixth generation in Hawaii, Cary graduated from the
University of Hawaii with a Masters of Fine Art in Ceramics and
relocated to Central Oregon in 2004. Her major interest in figure
modeling expands both the use of ceramic techniques as well as
explores some relatively neglected areas in content. Her figures
evoke a sense of mass in contrast to the loose and flowing slab work
of drapery and body appendages. This formal device provides an
important ground for the content of her work, aimed at a search for a
contemporary spirituality. Working with porcelain, a figurine is
worked upward slowly allowing each layer to dry. Then, it is painted
with oxides and glazed before firing.
For
nationally known artist, Cary Weigand, ceramics is a very humanistic
and tactile experience. Drawn to Asian philosophies and Shamanism
she finds they both focus on awareness of mind, spirit, and
environment. The figure represents a vehicle of humanity. Cary's
work is an expression of the subconscious and symbolism. She states:
"In this way, I seek to look deeper within myself. I look upon
each piece as that something which beckons the impenetrable shadows
of madness, or the liquid flow of existence, day after day after day,
(Or maybe this heart...) a wild beast caged within its chest,
dreaming a dream which we've already seen unfolding before us, (time
and time again.)
Cary's
original artwork including her fine art porcelain sculpture is
available exclusively in Central Oregon at High Desert Gallery.
About High Desert Gallery: High Desert
Gallery & Custom Framing, The Art & Soul of Central Oregon™
is an award winning fine art and custom picture framing gallery with
retail locations in Bend, Oregon (Opening December 2008), Redmond and
Sisters Oregon specializing in Central Oregon Artists & Beyond™
and Stellar Custom Framing. High Desert Gallery honored in 2005, 2006
and 2007 by Decor Magazine as a "Top 100 Art and Framing Gallery
in America" and voted "Best Art Gallery" in Redmond,
Oregon (2006 & 2007) and Sisters, Oregon (2005, 2006). In
February 2008, High Desert Gallery was awarded Top Honors in the
Professional Picture Framing Association 2007-2008 International Open
Framing Competition. For more information please visit:
www.highdesertgallery.com or call toll free 1-866-549-6250. The Art &
Soul of Central Oregon™ and Central Oregon Artists & Beyond™
are trademarks of High Desert Gallery & Custom Framing of Central
Oregon.
Please join us: Artist Reception -- "Where Rivers
Meet" -- Opening Artist Reception for Paul Alan Bennett and Cary
Weigand, Saturday, July 26, 2008 from 4 – 8pm
High Desert Gallery, 281 W Cascade
Avenue, Sisters Oregon 97759
New Original paintings, Fine Art
Prints, Sculpture and More
Free and open to the public
