Brownie is a portrait of Gene Brown, an old friend of mine. He was a symbol of the man of the West, the genuine Arizona cowboy, and was living proof that a successful modern businessman can be effective while retaining honesty, ethics and honor, and was in a very real sense a contemporary renaissance man, at home in jeans or a tux.
While viewing an important exhibit of very modern art in a posh New York Museum, he was asked his opinion by a museum docent. He considered for a time, then said, in a very thoughtful, Western manner, "Yeck".
To me, Gene Brown was one of a select few people who illustrated one of my ideals that of being true to oneself in a manner that encourages and stimulates others. And I thank him for encouraging me.
John M. Soderberg • Soderberg Bronze • 536 W. Salt Mine Rd. • Camp Verde, Arizona, 86322 • USA • Tel.: 928.567.6341
