A Man’s Art Journey
A Man’s Art Journey
15 years ago, in 2008, during the Great Recession, out of nowhere, I got a call from a person who said he was about to embark on his new art career. He asked if I would help him get started. When the art world seemed dark at the time, he had an enthusiasm that had its own clock, not worried whether the economy was good, or was it the right timing for him to begin a new adventure. I was perplexed with his enthusiasm and conviction during such times. A time when most artists were dormant, weathering the tough times, he was plowing full steam ahead. He had just turned 60, and he was ending his entrepreneurial days running a window frame company to begin being a wood sculptor.
He was once an art teacher, and he knew deep inside that one day he would pursue being an artist. He already gained quite the wood skill sets from making high-end wooden frames for large windows. He shared with me the many mechanically intriguing kinetic sculptures he wanted to create. For the next 6-8 months, maybe it was a year, we would connect weekly to discuss art and review his process and results mechanically, aesthetically and philosophically. He wanted me to share my art experience as a gallerist with him. Those who met him would be surprised how much youthful energy he had in creating large works. He wasn’t physically a big man, but boy was his sculpture and vision monumental! Art is often about contrasts. He literally embraced that. Of all the artists I have had the privilege to work with over the years, he was special. He just had a sense of who he was without any embellishments or doubts.
He once or twice mentioned to me that he thought he might have 15, maybe 25 years to do this in the last part of life. He wasted no time going into the studio making work. In no time, his body of work grew which led him to do an exhibit at the Bellevue Arts Museum, eventually making his way into the stable of artists at Foster White Gallery where he showed regularly. His work was lightweight with impeccable wood craftsmanship which led into several architectural commissions. His personality wasn’t the dynamic type with bravado. He however was equally hardworking with a vision and a steady and methodical flow to his process. The process of the craft captured his imagination. If you ever had an art history class, you could easily see the resemblance of the great Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi, the father of modern sculpture. There was no hype or over selling with him. Just good old hardwork and workmanship. His curious spirit never ended.
Once his career got going, a few years into his new art path, we wouldn’t see each other much. Some five years later, when I reopened my gallery in the International District, he showed up and saw me renovating the space. He graciously rolled up his sleeves and helped me put up the drywall and mudded the seams. He told me once upon a time, he was a construction contractor, and for whatever reason the carpenters didn’t show up, he filled in to do the work. You could say he was quite the renaissance man. He was proud of his Jewish culture and shared with me many stories over a meal. He always insisted on splitting the bill. I sometimes would say, “let me pay for the meal, you can get the next one.” He never lost sight of fairness.
Another 7-8 years went by, and when we reconnected a few years ago during the pandemic, he showed me his newly constructed studio that almost looked like an airplane hanger, 3 storeys high in the forested woods of Snohomish. There he could make his 20-30 foot tall sculptures straight up without having to do them in sections. It was an artist's dream studio! Although we spoke a few more times on the phone since then, it was my last time with him in person. We even played a fun game of ping pong.
Paul Vexler, a man who loved his wife and family passionately, lived an honest and full life with a tireless work ethic. He passed away, December 14, 2022, three days ago at age 75. Today I am 60, the same age in which he embarked on his new art career 15 years ago. What a beautiful life he lived. He showed by example how to live it well. Paul, your spirits will continue to inspire many of us.
