Venturan Artist Mark Tovar is an outsider expressionistic abstract artist. He creates interesting, whimsical, geometric narratives unfolding between emotions, colors and light.

Encouraged to paint at a young age, Mark began exhibiting his paintings when he won a competition in 5th grade at Los Angeles Schools Robert Hill Lane Elementary.  He earned extra money creating his arts through high school in Alhambra. And college in East Los Angeles.

Recent Ventura exhibits of  artwork include the Ventura Art Walk, Bell Arts, Gallery 643 Project Space, Foster Library and Michele Chapin’s Stoneworks Studio & Gallery. He also is a member of the Ventura Artists Union, Ventura County Arts Council, Studio Channel Islands, Buenaventura Art Association. 279-6118—HTTP://marktovar.homestead.com

Along with every ending, there is a new beginning.  Gallery V – the newest fine art gallery downtown Ventura – is kicking off 2016 with the “New Beginnings” exhibit.   Brought to you by Very Ventura Gift Shop and in collaboration with renowned local artist, Gerald Zwers – New Beginnings artists reception will be held Jan. 23rd from 6pm-9pm. Exhibit runs through Feb 28th.  Located inside Very Ventura Gift Shop at 540 E. Main Street.

On occasion we will be featuring the art work of Breeze staff (and close relatives), this ink drawing is by Michael Brown son of Publisher Sheldon.

Wendy Winet (formerly Wendy Lefkowitz) and Lynn Fogel will display their art at Fox Fine Jewelry from January 21 – March 6, 2016. An artists’ reception will be held on Saturday, January 23 from 6 – 8pm.

Wendy Winet, a New York City native, has drawn and painted since she was a young child. Her family valued art education, taking weekly trips to the museums. Remembers Winet of the Museum of Modern Art. Winet graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Fashion Design from Pratt Institute.

Lynn Fogel has always been an artist, although she left the art world and worked in corporate jobs. But she was unhappy. Fortunately, it didn’t take Fogel long to return to her calling.

Fogel grew up in Santa Barbara, moving to New York City for her corporate career. Unfulfilled, she returned to art, training at The New England School of Art and Design, and at Montserrat College of Art.

Fogel returned to Santa Barbara in the early 90’s. For the next 19 years she sold her art at the weekly Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts show on the boardwalk, along with other local galleries. Last year she moved to Ventura.

Fox Fine Jewelry hours are Monday – Thursday, 10:30 – 7:00pm; Friday and Saturday, 10:30 – 10:00pm; Sunday 12:00 – 6:00pm. Fox Fine Jewelry, 560 East Main St.

Join for a fun adventure in painting with Red Brick Gallery’s Painting Parties. You will learn the techniques to paint your own acrylic painting, you can choose your own colors and add your own flair to your painting.  Everyone starts with the same theme, but everyone’s piece will turn out different, you really have a chance to make it your own!  All Supplies are Included. No previous experience necessary-

On Friday, Dec. 18, 6-8:30pm capture the beauty of our local coast as you learn to paint a colorful Golden Sunset with an island silhouettes, a sandy beach, rolling wave and vibrant sky. This fun paint party will teach you a variety of fun techniques and create your own local scene. Choose to add a surfer silhouette or just enjoy the beauty of nature.

New location 4601 Telephone Rd Suite 112 (corner of Telephone and Market St) Reservations at 643-6400.

The Museum of Ventura County presents Duets: Art and Artisans in Harmony which celebrates and showcases the work of remarkable local craftsmen.  Works from local artisans such as Tom Anderson, Peter Boles, Fletcher Brock, Eilam Byle, David Eichelbaum, Jean Larrivé, Jim McCarthy, Tony Moraza, David Salais, Marston Smith, Joe Till, and James Wimmer take visitors through the artistry and design of music.  Also included are instruments from the RKS Design and Drum Workshop in Oxnard. The exhibit will discuss their place in the context of instrument making, and their inspiration.

Highlights of this exhibition include:

• A cello crafted in the mid-19th century on loan from Mission San Buenaventura which has rarely been publicly exhibited;
• A guitar made from all natural and recycled materials, crafted from resin and driftwood by musician J. Peter Boles ;
• A hand-crafted electric guitar made by Tom Anderson of Anderson Guitarworks in Newbury Park used by many current artists, such as country great Clint Black, and
• A true replica of a Baroque-period viola d’amore made by James Wimmer of Santa Barbara.

On occasion we will be featuring the art work of Breeze staff, this photo is by Richard Lieberman