Well, I’m back from several days in Asheville where my show opened on Saturday. While it’s always great to attend the show and meet with the folks who turn up to see the work, it’s always a relief to be back home and to be here in the studio today. I am a creature of habit and to be out of the studio for more than a day or so is always a little stressful. So, I’m back in my comfort zone now…
The show at the Haen Gallery started with a short gallery talk that had a pretty good crowd. With gallery talks, you can never tell how many people will show up so I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout. I gave a brief rundown of how I came to painting and spoke a bit about some of the themes present in the work. The best part for me is when the audience starts to ask questions because there’s something more personal in answering a question from someone. Lots of questions and very good ones, at that. It was a pretty easy crowd to work with and I enjoyed my time in front of them. Hope they did as well.
The show itself hangs very well together. The Haen is a very large and striking space and can sometimes overwhelm smaller pieces but I think the work’s deep colors and contrasts filled the space well. From an artist’s standpoint, it’s always a thrill to be in a space where you can sometimes have views of your work from 50 or 60 feet back in an expansive space. It casts a much different perspective on the work than being in the studio.
There was a pretty good crowd throughout the evening and I had an opportunity to speak with many of them. There was also entertainment from a guitar/banjo duo playing traditional Mountain music. I’m sorry to have forgotten their names but I enjoyed their playing very much. Many folks I had met in the past, such as Laurel Winter, and many were new to my work. There were several young artists including Ronnie Beets, an interesting fellow who was seeking a little advice on getting his work out to people. He seems very serious and dedicated in his painting and you can check out his work at his site by clicking on his name.
All in all, it was a pleasure being in Asheville. Many thanks to gallery owner Chris Foley, his wife Christine and gallery manager Carol Bonds for all their efforts in making the show come about. And many thanks to all who showed up Saturday. It is deeply appreciated.
For those who couldn’t make it, stop in and take a look and say hello to Chris and Carol.
Redtree Times 
Hello (and I don’t know how to address you…, do friends call you GC?),
thanks so much for your fabulous paintings, and thanks a million for making yourself available at the gallery! The talk was fantastic and complemented much of what I studied in your work that evening.
It must have been somewhere in Dec 2006 when I first noticed your work as I passed by the Haen Gallery – late for a meeting with friends but unable to withstand the desire to go in an look. The paintings continue to mesmerize me. In addition, I’ve learned much about the technique, thanks again for your generosity in sharing detail about it.
Blessings and Gratitude,
Damaris
Thanks so much for the kind words, Damaris. Knowing that there are people out there willing to find something of interest for themselves in my paintings makes my time alone in the studio even easier to endure. I hope you’ll continue to find something interesting in the work for a long time to come.
By the way, it’s Gary. Again, thanks!
G.C.,
Ronnie Beets here! How are ya? I have been doing well, sold 3 paintings in the past two weeks, have 2 exhibits in Asheville right now and one in Knoxville, with another to follow the first weekend in July. Stayin’ busy! And LOVIN’ it!!! I just came across this page and wanted to thank you for the ‘shout-out’ and website promo. I appreciate it and would love to hear from you! Hope all is well.
ronnie beets