Don Nieman had a very successful opening show at Buffalo Big Print last night. In fact all of the galleries on Allen were packed so full of people that the tall windows facing the street were completely fogged. There was no shopping or spotting friends from the sidewalk; one had to enter the fray to be part of it.
After our discussion early this morning, Don sent an email that sums it up perfectly: I thought about why I like scenes sans people. When I’m
surrounded by people or involved with the group in the scene I find I can often
miss the beauty around me. Buffalo is such a beautiful city when you take the
time to appreciate it. I think sometimes we get in our own way in not seeing
that beauty. I’ve lived in the most amazing landscape in the world, with
five years as a pilot in arctic Alaska; the landscape kept me in awe every day.
When I ride my bicycle around town and am surrounded by what we past and
present Buffalonians have created, I feel some of that same emotion. There is a grandeur to Buffalo!
Don’s show – his very first – will stay on exhibit at Buffalo Big Print until April 28th. And once you know he skips people in landscapes on purpose, it’s a treat to see Buffalo the way Don sees it.