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CATHERINE DAY BARROCA
Continued From Page #1
By: Anne Shilton Graumlich
Exhibition Curator
Cathy transferred to UC Santa Cruz to complete her B.A. Recognizing her dedication and talent, Professor Jenny McDade encouraged Cathy to consider the Masters of Fine Arts program at the University of Kansas, known for its strong printmaking program, excellent faculty and top-notch facilities. Cathy received a full tuition, three-year scholarship and was awarded a stipend to work as a print shop technician and as a teaching assistant to Cima Katz, graduate chair.
In Kansas, Cathy thrived. The atmosphere of openness to new ideas encouraged her to "push the borders" of artistic disciplines and strive for unique approaches.
On the day her graduate thesis show opened, Cathy received a call from Richard Peterson, her first printmaking instructor and earliest mentor. He had accepted a teaching position at the College of the Sequoias, and Ventura College needed a new printmaking instructor. Cathy applied and was hired.
Back in California, "the Avenue," one of Ventura's most historic areas, became Cathy's home base. In this vibrant neighborhood, where so many artists live and work, she felt at home. She found her favorite vista in the hills above town, from which she could see houses, shops, oil fields and agriculture, nestled in a river valley extending to the ocean. She captured this view in West Side, a 2007 color relief print.
Beginning in 2000, Cathy created a series of prints focused on the unique sites and people of the Avenue. Central Market, c. 2000, a woodcut print, and Casa de Anza, c. 2000, a wood engraving, document the area's one-of-a-kind facades and vintage signs. Etchings and lithographs, also of local residents and scenes, complete the series. Together, they tell a story of people, place and time. The Museum of Ventura County purchased six of these prints in 2008.
The City of Ventura commissioned Cathy to create a monumental mural for the interior of the Avenue Library, in 2000. As she developed ideas for the one-hundred-foot-long painting, her prints served as preliminary sketches. Cathy titled the mural, located in the Casa de Anza building, Portrait of a Neighborhood.
Cathy always wanted to combine printmaking and painting, and while creating Materia Prima in 2006, she found a bridge between the two disciplines. She initially envisioned that the panel would become a plate for a woodblock print. As she carved, she became intrigued with the surface and warmth of the wood, warmth she knew she couldn't get on a paper print. Following her impulse, she continued to carve, and rubbed oil paint onto the panel, to complete the piece. The City of Ventura's Municipal Art Committee purchased Materia Prima, her first bas-relief painting, for the city's art collection.
Cathy continued her explorations of new territory. The process of creating a bas-relief painting is a vigorous one. On panels made of manufactured wood, Cathy begins by sketching with oil pastels or acrylic paint. She dons a dust mask and protective eye wear, and defines shapes by sweeping an electric grinder across the panel's surface. Next, she rubs dark colors of acrylic paint into the deepest areas, and wipes upper surfaces clean, in steps that mimic the intaglio printmaking process. With a wood cutting hand tool she adds specific information with shallow cuts. To achieve strong vibrations of color, she repeats her process, moving towards lighter and lighter colors.
Cathy has long admired the rhythms and colors of Latin American art, especially those found in cotton molascreated by the indigenous Kuna women in her home country of Panama. Created in a layered appliqué process, these textile panels are covered with multi-colored depictions of fantastic animals and flowers. Cathy's aesthetic is also inspired by Persian miniature paintings, which are also filled with pattern-based imagery.
Cathy showed Liberation, 2008, in the annual faculty exhibit at Ventura College. She originally chose her subject matter, a flock of birds, only as a means of playing with her newly developing process. The movement of the birds and the abstract shapes around them were qualities she wanted to explore. As she worked however, the piece took on a deeper conceptual meaning during her father's long illness.
Layered in space and time, Stevie, 2008, is influenced by Cathy's interest in magical realist and surrealistic approaches to storytelling. Her favorite authors - Gabriel Garcia Márquez, Isabel Allende and Octavio Paz - mix magical and real experiences. Latin American surrealist artists she admires combine seemingly unrelated imagery and play with the scale of objects in their works. Cathy depicts her father, Steve, as a boy who is both very young and at the same time monumental. She surrounds him with small, out-of-scale airplanes in an irrational space. Airplanes, which figured powerfully in Steve Day's imagination throughout his life, swirl around him in a magical, dreamlike manner.
Though in Longevity, 2008, Cathy carves a Gingko tree, it is the abstract and symbolic qualities of the subject that interest her. The limbs and leaves of the tree are shown in silhouette. More attention is given to sculpting the movement of the wind between the leaves. For Cathy, the Gingko, one of the World's oldest surviving species of trees, and associated with memory and longevity, is a symbol of hope. In Cathy's most recent work, she is expressing concerns with environmental issues and with the legacy we are leaving to future generations.
Posted: 05-01-10
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2010 ARTWALK DOWNTOWN A BUST
DVO MARKETING PERSON SETS UP
GARAGE SALE IMAGING
By J. F. Robinson
Okay for the most part, I like to keep focused on what is true, honest, lovely, pure, just and of good rapport. If there can be any praise or virtue, then that's what I like to write about. That's what gives me peace. When it came to the Artwalks that I mentioned in last month's column "having been a coming together of the community" for fun and the viewing of artists' creations, THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE.
On Saturday and Sunday, April 17th & 18th number 50 something Artwalk took place. I truly wish that I had a lot to say good about the April Artwalk; however, then it would be a lie. The reality is if I was to rate Artwalk 2010 thus far on a scale of 1 - 51, I'd have to rate this back to a "2". Strike #1.
The only one that was worse for Downtown was the rain out and then, of course, the very necessary shooting by the police of the madman with a gun in the crowd. But even then at that one, once the drama was over and all the people were allowed into downtown, there were literally thousands in attendance and the art and music was worth the night.
While there were a few excellent pieces of art displayed in the Downtown Ventura Business Corridor, most were lacking. It appears that few artists were available for the business corridor in downtown due to the fact that 57 artists moved into the new WAV, the $57,000,000 Working/Living Artist Building, several artists out on the Avenue in the old Bell Factory Bldg., Art City, Ironworks, and David Rivas temporary gallery, Studio 255 Gallery on Laurel Street, the Artist Union Gallery and Gallery of the Crowne out on the Promenade, Buenuaventura Gallery at 700 S. Santa Clara Street, plus Gallery of Grace and Silva White's Gallery in Mid-town.
For at least the 50 plus Artwalks that I've seen, there has been a gradual upward creative level of Art that was presented in Downtown. Not April 2010's Artwalk. In fact, if nothing else, for the most part, and I emphasis for the most part, this Artwalk in downtown dropped to a level seen at least 17 or more years ago.
In fact, one of the worse demonstrations was the "YARD SALE LOOK" in front of Wine Rack/Ace-Ana Promotions just a stroll away from where people came into downtown from the parking lot which is sad because this little corner of the world most often looks really cozy. Wonder if the $100 fee included the yard sale imaging. For imaging purposes, I'd have to give it on a scale of 1 - 10 a zero. See photos above for your take. This DVO board member, Seana Weaver, actual claims to be a marketing person. Strike #2
In addition, the city's decision to tuck the Artwalk right in after April 15th tax day and then California property tax was a bad idea. The people certainly did not have that "I'm so really happy to attend a politically driven event" right after they figured out their taxes and who was paying for the event and its $57,000,000 artists' building. NOT THE ARTISTS. Where was the DVO marketing on the scheduling of the year's Artwalk? Strike #3. Okay, now you're out.
I'm told that at least 300 people were in attendance at the WAV, 100 people at the Artist Union Gallery and many others at different outside venues. With the numbers in downtown strolling around, nothing compares to what was once a growing-wonderful event with thousands upon thousands in attendance. In fact, just the opposite. Strike #4.
April 2010 Earth Day Artwalk has, of course, become a political event taking the direct focus off of the art. Some of us remember when Aprils presented the Artwalk/Java Jumps and the like coordinated by Elena Brokaw - Artwalks that brought more than hundreds, but rather thousands upon thousands of happy people. Those were the days that restaurants had line ups of people waiting to get into eateries for hours at a time. Not now. For the most part, it looked like a regular Saturday night. Strike #5.
There were the Artwalks, more than I can remember when the Old Livery was one of many hotspots in Downtown for Artwalk - with beautiful art and alive with the sound of music. Not this Artwalk - when I bopped in to enjoy, I found nothing. Guess Mark Hartley's, DVO board member, venue was for the "UPPITY CROWD" at the Watermark; because, he certainly didn't contribute to this community event at the Old Livery or Westside Cellar for that matter. Strike #6. Out again.
Okay, don't give up there's always the El Jardin Courtyard where Renee use to bring it alive with Accolades. No, that's right, Zoey's owner forced her out just before relocating to the Ramada Inn. So El Jardin Courtyard - nothing. Strike #7.
Then let's take a look at the Corporations and Franchises; except for Part Unknown what I found was no participation. Strike #8.
Bored, which I seldom do, I left the Artwalk. At this rate, this event will one day become extinct. Strike #9. Whoops, OUT-OF HERE AGAIN.
Thank God, for my buddies, which I found after leaving this boring event. Not at the Artwalk.
Guess I'm partically guilty here, too. Several of the outlining art galleries have been getting me their press releases and columns about their shows plus photos of their shows' art. We've been posting them on Town Biz 101 Internet Newspaper. Just doing my job promoting; plus, LOTS OF THEIR ART IS WHAT MAKES THE IMAGING OF THIS INTERNET NEWSPAPER SO VERY, VERY GREAT, THEREBY, MAKING VENTURA "LOOKING GOOD" as it should.
Posted: 05-01-10
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GALLERY 255 PRESENTS
VONDER GRAY
By Stacie Logue
VENTURA, CA (April 13, 2010) - The next exhibit at Gallery 255 will showcase an off-site artist, abstract expressionist Vonder Gray. She was a resident of Sea Breeze Art Studios from 2006-09 and moved to the new artist community WAV (Working Artists Ventura) in December of last year. This exhibit is her tribute to Sandra McCullough and the artists of Sea Breeze Art Studios for being her friends and support for the past three years.
Ms. Gray's new images will be abstracts painted in acrylic on a variety of surfaces ranging from canvas and board to paper and cardboard. Being a prolific painter, she can produce spontaneously 30-40 paintings in a month's time. Gray is painting this new body of work from a place of stepping into the unknown and trusting there will be a bridge to the end result. Since moving to WAV, this will be her first pieces created in that space. Ironically this artwork painted in her new studio will be shown in her old venue.
GALLERY 255
255 South Laurel Street
Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 643-3973
www.gallery255.com
The public is invited to
attend the following events:
Artist Reception:
Saturday, May 15, 2010
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Art Exhibit Runs:
May 13 - June 5, 2010
First Friday: June 7, 2010
5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Gallery Hours:
Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Noon - 5 p.m.
Sunday Noon - 3 p.m.
These are free events and there will be refreshments. Free Parking Available
In Private Collections
Vonder Gray has displayed her art worldwide in the following cities and countries: Wales, Copenhagen Denmark, London, England, Tokyo, Japan, Scottsdale, AR Los Angeles CA, Sheridan, WY, Vail, CO, Aspen, CO, Palm Beach, FL, Wenham, MA, Manchester, MA, Sea Cliff, NY Baltimore, MD, Grand Rapids, MI, Minneapolis, MI, Charleston, SC, Tampa, FL, Prout's Neck, ME, Mill Neck, NY, Ojai, CA, Thousand Oaks, CA, Ventura, CA, Tahoe, CA, and New York, NY.
Gray was educated at: School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA, Montserrat School of Visual Art, Beverly, MA, School of Visual Art, New York, NY, Garland Junior College, and received her AA Design, Boston, MA.
Solo Shows
- 1972-3 "New Art"
The Old Snowmass Studio Aspen, CO
- 1974-6 The Gallery Studio
Petersham, MA
- 1977 "Children" Kniley Studio
Wenham, MA
- 1979 "Self-Portraits" The Gallery
Gloucester, MA
- 1981 "House Portraits" Buker Gallery
Wenham, MA
- 1982 "Abstract Watercolor"
Owen Gallery, Manchester, MA
- 1983 "Vonder Gray"
Red House Gallery
Wenham, MA
- 1987 "Interior Landscapes"
The Studio Gallery
Sea Cliff, NY
- 1988 "Beauty Inside & Out"
The Studio Gallery
Sea Cliff, NY
- 1989 "The Garden Series"
Doma Gallery, New York, NY
- 1990-3 "Vonder Gray" Green Gallery,
Locust Valley, NY
- 1994 "New Works" Robert's Gallery,
New York, NY
- 1996 "Alive Again" 15H Studio Gallery
New York, NY
- 1997-9 "Vonder Gray"
Raw Space, NY
- 2001 "Gardens" Nordhoff Hall
Ojai, CA
- 2002 "Large Paintings" Pangea
Ojai, CA
- 2003-5 "Vonder Gray"
Comforts Gallery
Ventura, CA
- 2006 "Beaches" The 1016 Gallery
Ojai, CA
- 2007 "Out Of The Dark"
Sea Breeze Art Gallery
Ventura, CA
- 2008 "War Stories"
Sea Breeze Art Gallery
Ventura, CA
- 2008 "Arabesque"
Sea Breeze Art Gallery
Ventura, CA
- 2009 "Still Water"
Discovery Gallery
Ventura, CA
- 2009 "Turbulence"
Office of the Chief of Police
Ventura, CA
- 2009 "Joy" Government Center
Ventura, CA Group Shows:
- 1987-91 Various Shows
The Studio Gallery, Sea Cliff, NY
- 2005 Step One Gallery
Carpenteria, CA (1st Prize)
- 2006 "Fall Show Off" Hidley Gallery
Ojai, CA
- 2006-2008 Sea Breeze Gallery
Group Shows, Ventura, CA
- 2008 Multiple Shows Artist Union Gallery
Ventura CA
- 2008 Harbor Village Gallery
Ventura, CA (3rd Prize)
- 2009 "Turbulance"
Sea Breeze Art Gallery
Ventura, CA
- 2009 Crowne Plaza Hotel
Ventura, CA
- 2009 "Abstract Paintings"
Lynda Anderson Galleries, NY Posted: 05/01/10
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