I’ve been extraordinarily fortunate in my career to have had long and lasting relationships with several galleries that represent my work. This coming February will mark 20 years at the West End Gallery in Corning, NY as well as 18 years with the Principle Gallery in Alexandria, VA. It also marks my 19th year with the Kada Gallery in Erie, PA. Tonight’s show marks the 35th solo shows at these 3 galleries since the year 2000.
Each of these galleries is ran by people who I genuinely like and respect on a personal level which I think is the reason for the longevity of the relationships. As a result, I always feel a responsibility to deliver the best possible show to each of these galleries. A friend would do no less.
I hope that I have met that responsibility with the work for Into the Common Ground which opens tonight at the Kada Gallery. Owners Kathy and Joe DeAngelo are two of the most decent and hard working people I have encountered in this or any other business. Kathy has a tremendous enthusiasm for the work she displays, treating each piece with great care and respect. She takes the time to really get to know the work, asking questions about the story behind each piece, and speaks authoritatively about it– all an artist can ask for in someone who shows their work.
Her enthusiasm is infectious. When she calls me in the studio and I might be feeling a little worn down, I always hang up feeling upbeat and eager to get back at the paint. Even after nearly 19 years of seeing my work she always seems excited by new pieces and that is a magical elixir for all artists.
So you can see why I desire my best for this show. I know that this is a purely subjective opinion but I feel that I have done so this year. It’s a show that clicks a lot of button for me but, again, that is not for me to say. You will to just come out and judge for yourself.
The piece at the top, Blessed in Blue, is a 16″ by 20″ canvas, from the show.
Redtree Times 