Photographer J.D. Wolff's Work to Be Featured in New Gallery Show in Ventura

/

Ventura photographer’s art has painterly quality in new gallery show

J.D. Wolff, a Ventura photographer who caught the shutter bug in the early 1970s, will exhibit recent images and a few favorites from his files in a February 26 to March 23 solo show at the Buenaventura Art Association’s downtown Ventura gallery called “Day Dreams in Color.”

"Beach Town USA" Photo by JD Wolff

Landscapes are a focus for Wolff, who often adjusts color and contrast on computer to create the large-scale images he frames. Though his portfolio includes images from all over the United States, Canada and Western Europe, he said this show features primarily landscapes shot in and around Ventura County.

“I prefer printing my photography on canvas, as I often manipulate my images to make them look somewhat like paintings,” he said. “Printing on canvas gives it that extra texture and effect, which I feel most always improves the final product.”   

Wolff plans to be on hand to greet visitors 5-8 p.m. March 1 for the First Fridays Ventura Gallery Crawl and some of his local musician friends will provide live music 4-8 p.m., Saturday, March 2 for his artist’s reception. Wolff is also a

Read More

Morning Rainbow in Newbury Park This Soon to Be Rainy Friday, February 8th

/

Caught a partial rainbow in this shot from Lynn Road in Newbury Park this morning. Would have loved to see where the rainbow ended. Perhaps Camarillo.

No rain yet but the clouds are coming in for a brief appearance. Looking for things to do with the kids when the rain actually makes an appearance? Check out this list of Things to Do in Ventura County When It's Wet Outside!

Or perhaps this list of Movie Theaters Throughout Ventura County will come in handy.

Buenaventura Art Association Announces Open Competition Prize Winners

/

Ventura Art Group Awards Open Competition Prizes 

The Buenaventura Art Association has announced the winners of its 27th annual Open Competition. Their works were chosen by juror Katrina McElroy, a Moorpark College art instructor, from entries submitted by artists from throughout Central and Southern California.

The two- and three-dimensional pieces are on exhibit through Jan. 26 at the organization’s Buenaventura Gallery, 700 E. Santa Clara Street in downtown Ventura, which is adding Sunday, Jan. 20, 12-5pm to its schedule to allow more people to see this show. More than $1,500 in cash prizes and BAA membership benefits were awarded at a Jan. 12 reception and ceremony.

“Transcendence,” an oil painting on canvas by Erika Craig, was judged Best of Show and earned top prize of $400 for the young artist, an Honorable Mention winner in the nonprofit association’s 2012 Emerging Artist Cup student competition.

“Transcendence,” an oil painting on canvas by Erika Craig, judged Best of Show

First place among the two-dimensional entries was “Glance,” a digital print by Julia Bagdasaryan, who earned a Merit Award in last year’s student competition. Second went to “Bonsai Paradise” by Erik Abel, who used acrylic paints and mixed media on a wooden panel.

Third place in 2D was awarded to Patti Post for a charcoal on paper drawing titled “Entering Elysian Fields” and Honorab

Read More

Hiking Up To the Ancient Oak Trees at Juan Bautista De Anza Park in Calabasas

/

We've been going to Juan Bautista de Anza Park in Calabasas from time to time for years. The park is well maintained, has decent play areas, plenty of flat walkways for scootering and more. But before this sunny Martin Luther King Day holiday we never made the trek up the steep little trail directly behind the picnic table  area on the right hand side of the park.

Steep, but it isn't that far. Views are outstanding. There was filming taking place at the very top. But the stars of the show are the ancient oaks that dot the path.

Do you see eyes in the shadows? I do...but it certainly wasn't planned!

The sun, just slightly older than these oaks on the hill, smiles down on all of us this warm MLK Day.

Cold, Clear Saturday Makes For Wonderful Conejo Valley Views From Angel Vista

/

The temperatures have been particularly cold these last several days, with nighttime temps in the low 30s and highs only in the mid 50s in the Conejo Valley.  With barely a cloud in the sky, these conditions make for optimal hiking around town! This morning I took the Rosewood Trail up to Angel Vista in Newbury Park. Here are some of the views I took in.

Angel Vista has panoramic views stretching from Camarillo/Newbury Park to Thousand Oaks, Hidden Valley and beyond. And a bench and picnic table to boot. It can be accessed via the Rosewood Trail off of Lynn Road (just west of Regal Oak Ct) or the Los Robles Trail. The Conejo Open Space Foundation provides a useful map at www.cosf.org/website/html/los-robles-angel-vista.html. Other trails and hiking options at THIS LINK here on CVG.

Looking to do something fun around Ventura County and adjacent areas but don't like the cold weather outside? No worries...check out one of over 40 museums around town.

Recent Progressive Insurance Commercial Appears to Feature Flo in Hidden Valley

/

I could be wrong, but having driven through Hidden Valley hundreds of times over the years, I'm about 99% sure that this recent Progressive Insurance TV commercial entitled "Chick Flick" was filmed right here on Potrero Road in our very own Hidden Valley in Westlake Village.

ChickFlick.jpg
Hidden Valley view on a sunny day

Hidden Valley view on a sunny day

Cloudy and Cool Conejo Valley This First Sunday of 2013

/

Darts Promoter L. David Irete captured this neat photo of the Conejo Valley before sundown tonight on this cool, cloudy, slightly rainy first Sunday of 2013. Irete is the biggest darts enthusiast in town, so make sure to follow his Facebook page.

It is supposed to be sunny tomorrow, but the rain is expected back later in the week. No worries...check this list of things to do around Ventura County with the kids when it is WET outside (unless of course you enjoy jumping in puddles!).

Here's how it looked around 11 a.m. this morning while I was running (literally) around town.