Sag Harbor - If you were out and about very, very late Saturday evening, and perhaps after attending a myriad of events - including the annual Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation "Art For Life" in East Hampton, hosted by the Simmons brothers - Russell, Danny and Joseph - then hopefully you headed over to the Walk Tall Gallery in Sag Harbor for the late night reception for the "Solo" exhibition of works by Danny Simmons. If you didn't make it - no worries - the show is being held over until the end of August according to gallery owner Wendy Wachtel.

Art piece Simmons discussed regarding the 'swirls' on the outer canvas. This piece was purchased by his brother Russell - rather than a red dot - it sported a red heart. (Eileen Casey)

In the third year of their collaboration well known artist Simmons is currently exhibiting works he described as "Being completed in 2008 through the end of 2009, and into 2010."

The recently opened gallery (197 Madison Street, Sag Harbor) is an intimate space currently aglow with the vibrant colors emanating from the canvases of an artist whose skill, appreciation and individual and recognizable style for abstract expressionism draws the viewer in - even from across the street!

Hosting a late night reception for Simmons, Wachtel said "This particular body of work is so consistent with the beautiful works Danny always produces. I'm so honored and thrilled to exhibit his work again, and feel like it's a 'family' exhibition for friends and fans of his work as well."

Simmons, still recovering from a recent hip replacement, graciously posed with well wishers and friends, and was so refreshingly forthcoming about his methodology, historical influences and spiritual inspiration that it only enhanced the delightful and mesmerizing use of colors in his works that filled the gallery with a light and hue that is both exciting and stimulating.

New patron Christine Perrucci (she purchased the piece behind her) is all smiles at Saturday's reception. (Eileen Casey)

Explaining that this exhibition represents works over a two and a half year period, Simmons revealed "I paint standing up and like to complete one canvas at a time - I like to complete the thought. I don't like the interference of trying to work on multiple pieces at one time, so its been a bit slow going with my hip replacement, but I really feel that I am hitting my stride again."

Commenting on the observation that he is indeed prolific given the number of works on view, Simmons stated matter-of-factly "I guess so, I've always worked that way, I paint quickly, and I don't draw it out beforehand. I see it in my mind and transfer it straight from paint to canvas. When it's done I know and move on to the next one."

He did reveal however that one of the works (purchased by his brother Russell) was something he did go back to. . . "It's unusual for me to go back to a canvas, but this one did draw me back to it. It might not appear that way, but the outer swirls were not there initially, and I woke up one night with the thought that the piece needed this addition to be totally complete."

Discussing the influence of Spanish artist [Joan] Miro, as well as American artist Donald Baechler and Latin artist Wilfredo Lam, Simmons commented that "I do find spiritual inspiration in many of the Cuban artists, including Picasso, and certainly from African-American artist Norman Lewis - all incorporating the idea of one object and then another, and the spacing - the physical placement on the work - has certainly influenced me."

Artist and philanthropist Danny Simmons - as charming as he is talented. (Eileen Casey)

The other insightful and revealing influence Simmons relayed was his love of comic books. "I was always enthralled with the color palette in comic books, I still am, and I still collect them."

For more information on the works at Walk Tall Gallery call 631-899-4224, or email walktallgallery@yahoo.com.

Founded in 1995 by brothers Russell, Danny and Joseph "Rev. Run" Simmons, Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to providing disadvantaged urban youth with significant arts exposure, access and education as well as providing exhibition opportunities to early and mid-career artists and artists of color.

For more information on Art For Life go to www.rushphilanthropic.org.

Friends and well wishers at Simmons opening Kinuyo Kubota, Bill Hudgins and Nadia Fattah. (Eileen Casey)