Day 3: #VenturaPleinAirInvitational

Chris:
Today was one of those Southern California days that musicians write songs about...sunny skies, moderate temperatures, surfers enjoying the waves.

A lot of us painted at Surfer's Knoll in Ventura, right across from the Harbor Village.

I had to go to my "day job" after our morning paint-out, but heard some went to the Harbor for a nocturne painting and some were going to paint the Mission Bell motel in the twilight as well.

Tomorrow we are going to a private ranch in Santa Paula and in the afternoon, Ojai Meadow.

This is going to be short tonight...need to get some sleep.

Day 2: It's a Scorcher out there!

Chris:
Wow!!! What a morning. The views up at Ventura Botanical Garden are amazing...but it was HOT! I'm talking 99 degrees at 10:30 am and dry winds. But, plein air artists are truly NOT whimps...and everyone had a good time despite the weather. Special thanks to Tracy Long from Ventura Botanical Gardens for "opening the gate" for us. We had a rare treat and view!

You can't see it from this photo...but Anacapa Island and Santa Cruz were so visible today.
Thanks to Island Packers, an artist is going to win a prize that includes a trip out to the islands!

Thanks to Starbucks and Foster Donuts we were well-taken care of this morning. Red shirt - Spark Taylor, (can't tell who is behind her) middle Kay Zetlmaier and on the right Gina Niebergall.  Not picutred: Kay ran into one of our sponsors Susie Wong of  Holistic Healing Center.  She was taking a walk and enjoying the beautiful gardens. She had no idea we'd be there.

Spark Taylor is smart...notice how she picked shade.

Ray Harris, the featured artist at DA Davidson is arriving in his VW Van!

Mary-Gail King picked a ROASTING spot! Talk about dedication.
The islands are in the distance.

 

Gerald Zwers is a very smart guy...he picked one of the shady spots in the area.

Gina Niebergall...truly, she usually smiles! (:))

Ron Zolkover has a very nice start. 

Virginia Beale has her canvas toned!

Laura Rosecranz up here for the week from Orange County.

That's me, Christine Beirne, blocking it in. (Notice my sleeve pulled up, didn't want to get a farmer's tan!)

A partial group photo.

I see a few previously mentioned and I think that's George Scribner on the right.

So what are we doing all this for?

A competition that culminates during Ventura's Artwalk weekend! Join us for the festivities.
Our schedule is here.

Day 1 of "Ventura Community Bank's" Ventura Plein Air Invitational

Chris:
Today was the 1st day of  "Ventura Community Bank's" Ventura Plein Air Invitational. We had a general meeting with all the artists at Kay's wonderful home in Ventura.

Before dinner, we had a mini-meeting, handing out the gift bags (Dick Blick's goodies are arriving on Wednesday). Our artists were very thrilled to receive one ticket for the Ojai Studio Aritsts Tour during the 2nd weekend in October.

We received our maps and rack cards that tells us where we'll be painting. Tomorrow morning we are all meeting at the Ventura Botanical Gardens..behind the gate! I have to admit, a lot of us (including me!) are so excited...many of us have never been up that far.  Thanks to Tracy Long for opening up for us tomorrow morning.

I feel so amiss...I have no photos of this evening. I think we were all so relaxed and enjoying the evening, that I didn't even think of it.  Even though Mary-Gail King did record us live on Facebook after we had dinner and when we were eating strawberries and ice cream.  (After all...we do have to have energy for tomorrow!)  Here's a link to the video.  And while it's not live anymore...it was, which is why some of us (mainly me!) were caught stuffing my face with ice cream! LOL

Tuesday morning we're painting at Surfer's Knoll in Ventura if anyone wants to join us, you can't paint, or simply watch. We'll be there from 9 - 12.

#VenturaPleinAirInvitational
#ArtWalkVentura

Opening at Gallery V and Anette Power's Artwalk Poster!

Chris: I had to make an unexpected trip to Phoenix this weekend...but things are happening with the "Ventura Community State Bank" presents the Ventura Plein Air Invitational.  Artists are bringing their work to both:

Gallery V at 540 E Main St. in Ventura
and
DA Davidson in Ventura.

Gallery V will be part of "Arts and Eats" tonight, so check out the new exhibit. In addition, Norm Kirk has an opening at Fox Fine Jewelry..both galleries are very close to each other and easy to see two great shows.

• And...as a little aside. George and Debbie at Fox Fine Jewelry are not only strong advocates for the arts, but George is a gifts jeweler. (And Debbie has the discerning eye.) I brought in a ring that I had lost a diamond in.  Debbie looked at the ring and showed me how it had been designed WITHOUT prongs on two sides of the diamond. Needless to say, I was a little upset. However, George "remodeled" my ring and I'm a happy customers. And full disclosure -- I don't receive any funds from them for saying this, I just truly like their store.

Anette Power Artwalk Poster

Anyhoo.....back to the "Ventura Community State Bank" presents the Ventura Plein Air Invitational, I received a copy of this poster of Anette Power...the featured artist for the Ventura Artwalk at Gallery V.   Doesn't she look fabulous?

The "Ventura Community State Bank" presents the Ventura Plein Air Invitational is part of the Ventura Artwalk which runs Saturday, October 1 through Sunday, Oct. 2.

One exciting event we will be having before Artwalk officially opens is a:

Kathy Ikerd's Painting

QuickDraw
Oct. 2 from 9 am - 11 am
Artists will be painting "plein air" outside Gallery V and scattered around the area in Ventura. What is a QuickDraw? Well I'm not sure how QuickDraw's got the name since it's usually painters...but anyway, we have 2 hours to complete a painting from start to finish.

The public is invited to watch, buy and vote! (Hey, that sounds like a slogan...)

The finished works will be available for sale and judging by you -- the public through 2 pm on Sunday, Oct. 2 at Gallery V. The artist who gets the most votes wins a fabulous prize. (And those of you that vote have the opportunity to win a a great gift basket donated by Aaron Brothers in Ventura!)


If you remember, in the last blog, I was telling you how Kathy Ikerd is always painting while she's camping. Well what appeared on my Facebook feed? Kathy's painting at her campsite.

See her work and all the artists of  The "Ventura Community State Bank" presents the Ventura Plein Air Invitational now through Oct. 24 at Gallery V and DA Davidson.

Again, thanks to our sponsors: Aaron Brothers, Buenaventura Art Association, Dick Blick Art Materials , DA Davidson, Foster Donuts on Main, Gonzalez Framing, Holistic Healing Center, Island Packers,  Mr. & Mrs. Artist, and Staples Ventura.

And a special thanks to our juror for the competition, David Gallup!

Kay Zetlmaier and I (Christine Beirne) decided last year to form a Plein Air Invitational in Ventura in conjunction with the Ventura Artwalk.  (Even though we did get a little push -- I mean encouragement-- from two friends, Sue Pollack and Mary Perez...two of the movers and shakers of Artwalk.) This is the second year and we thought we'd blog a little about our progress. Sometimes Kay will blog, and sometimes I will.

CHRIS: Kay and I were very busy today working on the Ventura Plein Air Invitational. We went to
DA Davidson to see the location for one of the exhibits and were completely WOWED at the beautiful walls and location. We are so fortunate!

And...who did we run into? But another plein air artist, Gerald Zwers. He's installing the hanging system in this beautiful office, so of course, we had to have impromptu mini-meeting.

We were discussing how wonderful it is to have great sponsors -- including our Presenting Sponsor Ventura Community Bank, Aaron Brothers, Buenaventura Art Association (our fiscal reciever), Dick Blick Art Materials (a favorite of mine..they have always treated me well if I ever had any issues, which in over 20 years of ordering from them, it's happened twice), DA Davidson, Foster Donuts on Main, Gonzalez Framing, Holistic Healing Center, Island Packers, (if any of you have never been out to the Channel Islands National Park, you must go! Kay and I were very fortunate to go out to the islands with a painting workshop with our juror, David Gallup. What a treat! Not only is he a good instructor, but to see the islands in the way we did...well...guess that's for another blog!) Mr. & Mrs. Artist, and Staples Ventura.

Anyway...thought I'd share some photos from last year's event. We not only had a great time -- but we had rain!! In Southern California, in July. (Hmmm....maybe we can work our magic and have rain again this year!)

We were getting ready...that's Gina Niebergall's "wall"

Okay...couldn't resist a little self-promotion...

Gina and Sparkle Taylor. 

Hmm...not sure what Kay is doing here...but I know we weren't open yet, because we were packed!

Ed won 1st place with his beautiful piece. He won't be joining us this year, he's a production designer for films
 and think he's going to be working in China. (well that's one less competitor! LOL)

Anette Power was a winner as well. She has a bunch of new paintings from Cuba...they are fabulous!
 I'm sure she'll have a couple in one of our shows!

Kathy Ikerd was a winner as well. She camps a lot and seems as if she does
a couple of paintings a day while she camps. She also is a very good figurative painter. 

Another winner from Steve Richardson! He's not in the show this year, but I hope he has time to come back next year!

Virginia Beale is a winner!

As well as Sharon Weaver!

Well, that's all for now! See you next time.