McKinney, Texas – January 30, 2007

Art Exhibit – “A Different Perspective” at Carrie Garner’s

Galleria d’Arte February 10, 2007

Carrie Garner’s Galleria d’Arte is pleased to present “A Different Perspective” featuring original oil paintings by Henry David Potwin. Join us in the gallery on February 10, 2007, from 7pm to 10pm, as we celebrate Potwin’s debut.

Live musical entertainment by the fabulous Texas Gypsies ensures the gallery guests to a lively, fun-filled evening. Co-sponsors of the reception are: A Twist of Lime, Alternative Furnishings, BLING!, Cadillac Pizza Pub, Carmela Winery, Main Street McKinney, Market Square Antiques, Market Street, and Poppy’s Garden Café.

Born in Dallas, Texas, Henry David Potwin is the oldest of three children. As a young boy, Potwin’s family would summer vacation in Taos, New Mexico. Potwin first put brush to canvas at 8 years old.

In the summer of 1965, Potwin met Taos impressionist artist, Eric Gibberd, who remained a vibrant and revered influence in Potwin’s life until Gibberd’s death. After completing 12 years of Catholic school education and under Gibberd’s mentorship, Potwin attended the University of Houston Fine Arts program from 1969-1974.

Potwin traveled extensively throughout his life and has had a variety of art-related positions from a fine arts publisher in New York City to a special effects painter at Astroworld Amusement Park in Houston. Working as an art importer and wholesaler afforded Potwin with opportunities to continue his art education in the Caribbean, Europe, and the Middle East. The artist has experienced periods of frantic creative activity as well as periods of complete indolence.

Potwin’s style is self-described as conceptual realism. To quote the artist, “Painting is a synthesis that considers the myriad aspects of human awareness, expressed in visual form. Melding together philosophy, physics, sociology, emotion, mysticism, and eroticism with craftsmanship.”

With one look at Potwin’s paintings, you realize his broad variety of conceptual realism subjects range from landscapes to portraits to observations of the world. Potwin’s painting entitled Assortment is a statement on females’ serial love affairs, where men are consumed and discarded like chocolates. The painting depicts a bright pink, heart-shaped candy box with the lid tipped back to reveal a box full of portrait-embossed pieces of candy. In Potwin’s Plum Orchard, we are treated to a peaceful yet surprisingly energetic painting that prominently features a Van Gogh-radiant sun.

“My goal is to create a body of work that is multi-layered and resonates with common man as well as the initiated. And naturally, I’d like to find nice homes for my “children” as well!” says Potwin.

In 1994, Potwin was sentenced to federal prison which he describes as the most cathartic event in his life. “This black sense of loss became a lens that focused my innate creative drive to crystalline clarity”, says Potwin. Since his incarceration, Potwin has dedicated time to not only building his “family” of paintings but also to helping other inmates recognize their artistic and creative abilities by teaching art and music classes.

Growing up playing the guitar and singing, Potwin formed his first band at 14 years old, and his love of music continues to grow. Potwin has taken on responsibility for formally requesting recreational budget monies for musical and artistic programs at the correctional facility. “Believe it or not, during these past years as an art teacher to inmates, I have had the opportunity to light a spark in the minds of a considerable number of disenfranchised individuals who only lacked the encouragement and the opportunity to discover their latent talents. Their pride of accomplishment is my reward,” says Potwin.

Writing also plays a key role in Potwin’s life. The artist has recently undertaken the challenge of putting pen to paper. We are sure the results will be as complex and as intriguing as Potwin’s already conquered challenge of putting brush to canvas.

For further information, contact Carrie Garner’s Galleria d’Arte at 469-742-9509 or visit us online at www.carriegarner.com