Category Archives: Ventura Art Scene

Fragments Lost and Found” oil on canvas, by Dahlia Riley

art rileyCarson Pritchard’s recent sculptures and Dahlia Riley’s abstract paintings will be featured in Interpretations, their joint exhibition Sept. 22-Oct. 17 at the Buenaventura .

Though also an accomplished painter, Pritchard is showing only three-dimensional works here: three wall sculptures — two made of wood — and about a half-dozen freestanding pieces 2 to 3 feet tall. For them, she said, “My medium varies from fired terracotta to plaster and bronze.”

Riley will have up to 20 paintings in oils, acrylics and mixed media, from 12 inches square to 30 inches on a side — bold, nonobjective works that celebrate her love of color. “Color is the driving force and trigger of most of my paintings,” Riley said.

Both Buenaventura Art Association member artists will attend a gallery reception 5-8 p.m. Oct. 2, during First Fridays Ventura. Examples of their artwork can be viewed online at carsonpritchard.com and dahliariley.zenfolio.com.

In addition to their Inspirations show in the Clophine Dooley Gallery, BAA will be displaying a juried exhibition of members’ works in the main gallery and the latest show of notable paintings by early 20th-century artists in its California Heritage Collection.

Buenaventura Gallery, at 700 E. Santa Clara St., is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. For more about BAA shows, workshops and other programs, visit the nonprofit group’s website, www.buenaventuragallery.org, or call 648-1235 during gallery hours.

“The Pressed Image, Hand Pulled Works on Paper” at Fox Fine Jewelry Sept 17 – Nov 1

Karen L. Brown and Virginia Furmanski will display their art in the show “The Pressed Image, Hand Pulled Works on Paper” at Fox Fine Jewelry from September 17 – November 1. An artists’ reception will be held on Saturday, September 19 from 6 – 9pm.

Karen L. Brown was raised on the California coast and her interest in art education began at a young age. Brown earned her Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees while a single mother of two!

Virginia Furmanski believes that art is found within your genes. And she certainly has proof! Her parents were commercial artists, and her three sons are continuing the lineage. But it took Furmanski awhile to find her roots. When Furmanski retired, she rediscovered her artistic roots, and delighted in printmaking. In 2006 Furmanski started the community group “Inkspots” with one print making press.  Over the years they have grown to 16 printmakers who now work out of 643 Project Space on Ventura Avenue in Ventura.

Fox Fine Jewelry, 560 East Main Street, 652-1800

Meet the Artist Elaine Bryant on Thursday, September 24th,

art bryantMeet the Artist Elaine Bryant on Thursday, September 24th,
From 6 PM to 9 PM
Bank of Books, 748 East Main Street
805-643-3154

Born in Highland Park, Michigan Elaine moved to California when she was 9 years old, and attended Ventura High School. After graduating, she attended film and acting school in Los Angeles , went on to become a professional model for 16 years She was the featured artist in art exhibit at the WAV  for 6 months, a featured artist at Bank of America and a member of Artists Union Galleries.

FACE OF VENTURA AWARDS – Ventura’s Unsung Heroes sponsored by Jordan and Sandra Laby and painted by Johanna Spinks

Audrey Nicholson
Portrait by Johanna Spinks

Audrey Nicholson, 33, a Ventura mother of three, had the humbling and frightening experience of a lifetime in the ocean waters
off the Ventura County’s Rincon coast on February 16. Because of her actions, two children survived a near drowning and, she was nominated for a Gold Lifesaving Medal.

Nicholson is credited with saving the lives of two young girls at Bates Beach when a strong rip current pulled the girls out to sea.

Noting that she still doesn’t know the names of the girls and has not spoken to them since the incident, Nicolson said her three young children were at the Rincon beach when she noticed people on shore acting alarmed and shouting at two young girls in the water.

“As I approached the water’s edge, I knew immediately the girls were in danger and panicking. The mother of one of the girls was attempting to swim out but was quickly overcome by the strong current and began pleading for my help.”

Nicholson assured the mother and dove into the surf and began the swim through a strong rip tide to the girls.

“I could only see their faces, no arms, no signs of strength, they were barely treading water. Each wave that hit them I feared would be the one that would exhaust their wills to keep afloat.”

Nicholson describes herself as a decent swimmer and credits an active lifestyle of yoga and dance to help remain physically and mentally capable and calm.

Still, without consistent ocean swimming experience, the power of the current and the constant pounding surf exhausted her instantly.

“Immediately I was humbled by the ocean the second I felt it. When I reached the first child, she frantically wrapped her arms around me and we both sank instantly. All I could think about was my own three children standing on the shore. I knew I had to get us all back safe.”

She regained her composure and she reiterated the importance of calming down and breathing deeply through the sets of waves as they swam.
After returning the first child to her mother, Nicholson scanned the shore for help. “I was so tired and had swallowed a lot of water already and was so worried to go back in feeling so out of breath. I was very concerned about whether I could get to the second girl,” Nicholson said. “She had been going under a number of times and she was barely staying afloat. “

Nicholson again placed the second girl in her arms and simply began swimming as best she could to get to shore. A young man on a boogie board had made his way over to help put the girl on his board and help Nicholson to the sand. “That helped greatly because by that point, it was all I could do to get myself in, he was so calm and kind, it was a relief to have him there.” Nicholson said.

By the time the second child made it to shore, paramedics were at the scene, treated both girls, and took them to the hospital to have them checked for signs of secondary drowning.

She was nominated for the Gold Lifesaving Medal by Jim David.

“A friend of mine who was there told me about what happened,” said Jim David, a retired Navy commander and a search-and-rescue pilot who performed a number of water rescues during his service. “I couldn’t believe the story when I heard it. The second
girl was in the second stage of drowning; that’s when you can’t stay afloat and you’re swallowing a lot of water. After that, death
becomes a very real possibility.”

David said there are two levels of lifesaving medals, and the gold is extremely rare.

“It’s given to someone who risks their life to save someone else,” David said. “It’s fair to say that Audrey risked her life by going out a second time to get the second victim.”

David said he met Nicholson and, after speaking with her, researched the lifesaving medals and nominated her for one of the Nation’s most prestigious. The Gold Lifesaving Award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. Coast Guard and one that’s
rarer than the Medal of Valor.

Audrey stated, “I am very honored to receive the nomination and to be selected as a Ventura Breeze unsung hero. The highest
reward was the saved lives, the grateful nod to life’s ultimate challenges be they big or small that restore the faith in one’s own
spirit and the lessons that this powerful earth and it’s elements have to teach us. For that I am humbled and happy.”

 

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Helping Audrey celebrate were her family. Daughters Laurel (7) and Stella (10), mom Kim
Johnson, aunt Judy Johnson, sister Hayley Garr, niece Rowynn Garr (3) and son Mose (4).
On August 22 a luncheon was held at Rhumb Line-The Sunset Restaurant to present Audrey
Nicholson with her Unsung Hero portrait painted by Johanna Spinks. Attending the presentation
were her family, Breeze Publisher Sheldon Brown, Johanna Spinks and the series sponsors Jordon and Sandra Laby.
We asked Audrey how it was having her portrait painted she answered “Having my portrait painted
by Johanna was a really unique experience. I love the arts and it was a wonderful experience to talk with Johanna about her life of pursuing it. I was not nervous because it felt like a treat to be painted!”

 stuff hero Audrey lunch

Audrey Nicholson accepting her portrait from Johanna, Sandra and Jordan at the presentation
luncheon.

          stuff chapmanstuff Cozzins

This new series of portraits (Unsung Heros) will be painted by Johanna Spinks and presented in the Ventura Breeze. Johanna stated “It was an absolute privilege to paint my portrait series The Face of Ventura, and then an extra honor for those 58 portraits to
end up in the permanent collection of the Museum of Ventura County. I am very excited to see The Face of Ventura kept alive in this new award series, graciously sponsored by Sandra and Jordan Laby.” Do you know a Ventura Good Deed Doer that you have read about in the Breeze, or elsewhere, that you would like to nominate for the Face Of Ventura Awards?
If you do please send your nomination, and why you think that they deserve the Award to [email protected]. We look forward to your nominations.

Mother and daughter creating and teaching art

art redbrickMother and daughter Jen Livia and Phyllis Gubins  promise more “art from the heart” in their new location.

By Mira Reverente

Like any proud mother, Phyllis Gubins talks about her daughter’s work with obvious pride and affection. “Jen exhibited an obvious talent in art even as a young kid,” says Gubins, who co-owns Red Brick Gallery with daughter Jen Livia.

“I didn’t get into watercolor painting until later in life, and only upon Jen’s encouragement,” says Gubins who has a real estate and finance background. “She was the one with the talent and I just encouraged her and helped nurture that gift.”

Livia’s early love affair with art began with the camera, which propelled her to earn a degree in photography from UC San Diego. Spreading her wings further, she headed to the San Francisco Art Institute to complete her Masters in Studio and Media Arts.

In 2006, Livia and Gubins opened Red Brick Gallery along Main Street. “We wanted a place where we could showcase our work, other artists’ work and at the same time, be able to teach various classes,” says Livia.

Gubins is at the helm of the watercolor classes, while Livia mainly teaches acrylic, photography and Photoshop classes. Says Gubins, “We realized we both really love teaching so that’s one of our main focus now in this new space – teaching both beginner and advanced classes in various media.”

By “new space,” Gubins is referring to the gallery’s new location at the corner of Telephone Road and Market Street. The doors formally opened on August 22 with a simple reception and preview of some existing art by Gubins, Livia and local artists and artisans.

Among the artwork on exhibit are some from Marco Aguilar’s collection. Lancaster-based but Belize-born, the amiable and self-taught acrylic artist is known for the dreamlike quality of his work, inspired by the Hudson River School artists, among others.

“I have heard some people say they can identify my work instantly – the play of light and shadow, the water and glass, the seascapes and landscapes,” says Aguilar who currently teaches a class at the gallery once a month.

“Expect to learn a variety of techniques – some drama and some realism approach,” he says. “It’s fast-paced and perfect for adults.”

Meantime, mother and daughter are eagerly anticipating a packed calendar with new classes, new artists and new original artworks. After beefing up her cosmic painting and treescape collection, Livia has spent recent weeks dabbling in food – painting mouth-watering cupcakes and doughnuts, but not actually devouring them. Gubins has found her niche too, painting animals and sea creatures.

Do animals actually sit still long enough for her to paint them? “I wish,” says Gubins, who finds inspiration from photographs of animals, of various shapes, sizes and color. “Jen and I are both animal lovers. She has dogs and I have cats.”

In the near future, Livia envisions adding more classes, particularly clay and other media. She wants to discover more emerging artists and give them a local venue for their work.

“We just want to keep teaching art from the heart,” says Gubins. Livia chimes in, “Everyone can be taught. Everyone has some form of creativity in them. It just has to be drawn out.”

For more info, go to www.redbrickart.com

 

 

 

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Five portraits from The Face Of Ventura portrait series on display at the Museum of Ventura County

art museumFive portraits from The Face Of Ventura portrait series by Johanna Spinks (no credit is given) are on display at the Museum of Ventura County’s current exhibit of portraits.  The Face Of Ventura featured 2-years of Johanna portraits in the Ventura Breeze showing a cross-section of Venturans. The Museum show displays painting and photographs following the history of portraiture from the early 1800s to today. A portrait created just for the show by Johanna is also on display. “Sitting Pretty:Portrait Photography from the Salon to the Selfie” will be at the Museum until Nov.29.

The portrait on the right is Howard Burroughs who just turned 102. His “Children’s Garden” at the Ventura County Museum has just opened so be sure to visit it also while there.   He has given major financial support to many Ventura venues including the Museum.

Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival Sept. 12-13

The art harbor festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ventura Harbor Village. This waterfront juried art festival features more than 40 fine artists and artisans on the Ventura Harbor Village main lawn, as well as over 50 street chalk artists creating colorful murals along the Village promenade overlooking the boats. Proceeds from the festival benefit FOOD Share. venturaartfestival.com

This festival is the only street painting festival in Ventura County. Approximately fifty artists will be creating vibrant sidewalk art with chalk pastels. According to organizer Barbara Hinton, chalk art was added to the event in 2011. “We had fourteen artists that first year, which was fantastic considering I didn’t know a single street painter when I first had the idea.”

A limited number of chalk art squares are available for sponsorship by companies or individuals and will feature the sponsor’s name. Sponsorships can be purchased through Ventura County Art Events, which hosts the festival.

For artist application or sponsorship information, please contact Executive Director Barbara Hinton 650-9858 or visit venturaartfestival.com.

Beach House – Emil Kosa Jr. (1903-1968)

art Buenaventura Art AssociationThe Buenaventura Art Association is adding more vintage artworks to its exhibition of Early California art.

The California Heritage Collection includes paintings and works on paper by significant regionalist artists from the early 1900s through the mid-20th century. This new round of works will be exhibited and available for purchase until September 26 and in successive small groupings thereafter at BAA’s downtown Ventura gallery.

Regular gallery hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Private viewings of the California Heritage Collection are available by appointment.

The Buenaventura Gallery is at 700 E. Santa Clara St. For more about BAA programs or the California Heritage Collection, visit www.californiaheritagecollection. com, www.buenaventuragallery.org or call 648-1235 during gallery hours.

Art Alfresco Invitational Exhibition and Art Sale

art museumFine art will be a highlight at this summer’s Art Alfresco Invitational Exhibition and Art Sale, presented by the Museum of Ventura County on Saturday, August 22, from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Stroll through the easels, booths and sculpture of thirty-one of the region’s finest artists, exhibiting and selling their work on the Museum’s Plaza and in the Martin V. & Martha K. Smith Pavilion. General admission is $10 per person, $5 per person for MVC members.

Premiering on the same day is the exhibition “Sitting Pretty: Portrait Photography from the Salon to the Selfie,” which highlights the Museum’s exquisite collection of photographic and painted portraits dating from the 1850s to the present.

The Museum of Ventura County is located at 100 East Main Street in downtown Ventura. For more information go to www.venturamuseum.org or call  653-0323.