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Gray Stone Press
| LIMITED EDITION COLLECTOR PRINTS |
| more about Chuck Ren |
I called the number my rep had given me and Chuck answered the
phone. I explained who I was and that I was president of a print
publishing company called Gray Stone Press. I asked if he had ever
considered going into print. Chuck said he had thought about it but
wasn't sure he painted as good as other artists he had seen in print.
Gray Stone had just produced the first full color catalog in the print
industry and I was pretty proud of it. I told Chuck that I would send him
our catalog and after seeing it, if he thought he would like to be part of
our group of artists, he could call me back. A few days later Chuck
called. He was impressed by the artists with Gray Stone and would like to
give it a try if I thought he was good enough. I assured him that I thought
he was good enough.
I also explained that it would take time to create a following for his work
and since he would be on a royalty basis (paid on a percentage of sales);
he probably wouldn't make much money for a while. He would have to
enjoy what he painted or it would get boring fast. I asked "What kind of
paintings do you enjoy doing?" His answer was "Joe, I've never done a
painting in my life".
What he meant by that was that he considered everything he had done to
be no more than an illustration. This next exchange between the two of
us is pretty accurate.
I said "What do you think you would like to paint?”
"I've always thought I would like to paint wildlife.' he answered.
"Chuck" I replied, "I've already got four wildlife artists, what's your second
choice?"
"Well, I was raised in Arizona. I've been around Cowboys and Indians all
my life".
"Good, you're my western artist".
And that's how Chuck Ren became a western artist and spent the next
seven years painting Cowboys. But I didn't forget that he had also said,
Indians.
| First Snow |
| Gray Stone Press 1087 Louisville Hwy Goodlettsville, TN 37072 615.855.0505 800.251.2664 |
| email inquiries to gspnash@mindspring.com |
