Dec 1 2006
Desert Sun: Artist Extends His ‘Reach’ in Times of Tragedy
Stacy Wiedmaier • The Desert Sun
Marilyn Chung, Desert Sun
Local Palm Springs artist Vernon Finney said he was born with a paint brush in his hand. Finney, 83, has been given an opportunity to reach out to strangers through his most famous and recognizable oil painting, simply titled “Reach.”
He began the 10-foot-by-7-foot canvas in 1987 and added his signature to the finished masterpiece on Christmas morning 1990. His design took 3,000 hours to complete, including advance sketches.
Finney’s friend and Incredible Artist gallery owner, Rick Pantele, said he had the idea to print lithographs of the original piece to send to victims of the Sept. 11 tragedy.
“The hands pictured reaching out to each other is an international symbol of hope and faith,” Pantele said. “Within two weeks of 9/11, I had the lithograph design put together and they were printed within a month.”
Pantele said the first four framed and signed prints were sent to former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Gov. George Pataki and the New York City police and fire chiefs. Both Pantele and Finney received a personal letter of thanks from Guiliani.
Since 2001, more than 2,000 signed and dated prints have been mailed to strangers in hopes of offering a small piece of comfort to victims. Pantele said he learns of possible recipients by watching the evening news, keeping a stack of index cards close by to take note of local tragedies such as soldier’s deaths and the Esperanza firefighters killed in a wildfire last year.
“A poster of hands cannot heal a parent who lost their child in war,” Pantele said. “But I’m trying to do my little thing to help people in whatever way I can. We don’t ask people, we just ship them a tube with the print inside. This is the coolest thing I’ve ever been involved in. If just one family is blown away by this action, then it’s well worth it.”
Both men continue expanding their original plans for giving the prints away and are now including victims of Hurricane Katrina and the Asian Tsunami to name a few.
A pile of 200 tubes rested on a nearby chair that read “VT” on the top. These prints will be sent to families of Virginia Tech shooting victims and school administrators. The prints are dated April 16, when the tragedy occurred.
“I’m also sending one to the Cho family, whose son committed the crime,” Pantele said. “They suffered as much as everyone else throughout this ordeal and I can’t imagine what they went through. If I could not send one to the Cho’s, too, I wouldn’t send any to Virginia. Once they get there, I’m sure the painting will end up in dorms and hallways at the school for years to come.”
Pantele said he pays for the shipping costs himself and does not mind the added trips to the post office. He said he enjoys receiving letters from families who were comforted by the lithograph and frequent voice messages people leave on the gallery’s system. One recent local soldier’s death touched Pantele so much, he said he would be hand delivering the “Reach” lithograph to the funeral home instead of mailing it like the others.
Army Pfc. William A. Farrar is the third and most recent valley resident to be killed in Iraq May 11 when a homemade explosive device blew up near his vehicle as he was driving through the desert of Al Iskandariyah, 30 miles south of Baghdad. He died just two months after his 20th birthday. The 2005 Palm Springs High School graduate’s funeral was held Friday.
Pantele said no military personnel of family member who survived a direct loss will leave his gallery without a free signed print. A copy of “Reach” also graces the walls of the air base in Twentynine Palms as well as local hospital emergency rooms.
Finney’s career spans more than 50 years and he describes himself as “self taught.” He moved to Palm Springs 10 years ago from the Los Angeles area and he’s been drawing his entire life. He has painted several hundred original works of art, many of which are displayed in the gallery blocks from his home. He said he tries to paint every day in his home studio for eight to 10 hours.
“I always have a long list of new things to paint,” said Finney. “It’s not really what to paint, but when. My art has substance, a lot of artists paint nowadays for the money. But that’s not what it’s all about.”
Finney said “Reach” holds special meaning to him, even if everyone sees different things when they view it.
“This one touches people who aren’t normally art lovers,” he said grinning ear to ear. “When I was painting it, I realized everything that has happened in my life is because I reached out and got it myself. We all have the capacity to reach our full potential but we don’t utilize it.”
Art lovers and collectors nationwide can watch the progression of Finney’s current 6 x 7 ft. painting of the Madonna and Child online at www.reachforart.com.
Artist Vernon Finney, 83, stands next to his painting “Reach” at IncredibleArtist.com gallery on Thursday in Palm Springs. Finney and gallery owner Rick Pantele have given away signed lithograph copies of “Reach” to thousands of victims worldwide from tragedies such as Sept. 11, the Esperanza fire, and Hurricane Katrina.
See for yourself
To view Palm Spring’s artist Vernon Finney’s original painting “Reach” visit the Incredible Artist gallery at 333 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 101A
Information: 325-5917
Sep 7 2007
Desert Sun: Art Party Weekend
Gallery hosting ‘Art Party Weekend’ to celebrate opening
By Katie Ruark • Palm Springs Sun • September 7, 2007
The free parties with appetizers and beverages include “Meet the Artist” programs, where customers can socialize with four artists whose work is featured at the gallery, 333 N. Palm Canyon Drive, said owner Rick Pantele.
Here’s what some of the artists had to say:
What do you like about Incredible Artists?
Diane Morgan: IncredibleArtists.com gallery is full of energy and passion. The creative energy is palpable when you enter the showroom. Every artist loves what they are doing and it shows. It shows in the work and it shows in the relationships between everyone associated with the gallery. There’s a great camaraderie. It’s a great place to hang out.
Christopher Dailey: The gallery has a unique approach to art, taking it out of the stuffy art world context and letting the image speak to the viewer on more human terms. It is accessible, and friendly.
Vernon Finney: It recognizes talent and promotes it. The energy created at the gallery presents art in a personal way and it’s successful in accomplishing that.
What do you like best about meeting customers who buy your work?
Diane Morgan: I often become friends with them.
Christopher Dailey: When I see a specific look in a customer’s eyes that says “this piece is personal and meaningful to me.” I love knowing my creations can touch people.
Vernon Finney: That they have felt the same and see it differently for the first time. Then we have connected.
What can you learn from other artists by socializing with them?
Diane Morgan: It expands your perspective on subject matter and technique. Being open to new ideas improves your work.
Christopher Dailey: Everything. The cross-pollination of ideas is very important.
Vernon Finney: Trends, and who does what, where and with whom? Great for an exchange of ideas and techniques.
Who do you think your work most appeals to?
Diane Morgan: My work is very realistic. It appeals to people who prefer a more literal interpretation of nature. Watercolor enthusiasts are a special niche. People who enjoy watercolor are very knowledgeable about the technique. They understand and appreciate the difficulty.
Christopher Dailey: It depends on the piece, I like to think I have something for everyone.
Vernon Finney: Almost everyone, but mostly those under 50. Even children have wonderful perception and ask difficult questions.
Where do you get your inspiration for your work?
Diane Morgan: My inspiration comes from everything around me. I see potential art in almost everything I see. I like to take simple, everyday items, add a little drama or mystery to them and get people to take a closer look.
Christopher Dailey: The natural beauty of the places around me, and the range of emotions these places represent.
Vernon Finney: From that ethereal form out. Or in my head when I shut the world out and get in the NOW. Great ideas appear in stunning detail and color.
What is your favorite piece you’ve ever done and why?
Diane Morgan: A little still life “Cherries and Lace” of some cherries on my grandmother’s plate. It has such sentimental value to me. It was also published in International Artist Magazine. I was so thrilled to receive that honor.
Christopher Dailey: I can’t say that I have a favorite. I am more excited about the pieces yet to come than anything I have already done.
Vernon Finney: My favorite painting is my next painting, because the old ones are history. The one I am working on is almost history, and the next one is a challenge waiting.
By IncredibleArtist.Com • Uncategorized • • Tags: Diane Morgan, Press Clippings, Vernon Finney