Not Far From Here, Ron Zolkover’s solo exhibit will be from June 24 – July 19 with an opening reception Saturday, June 28 from 4 – 7 pm at the Buenaventura Gallery.
Our beautiful coastal region is Zolkover’s inspiration for “Coastal Impressions.” An avid outdoorsman, (he owns a boat, sails the Channel Islands and surfs) he starts most of his paintings plein air. “I love the challenge of painting plein air – when I started one piece, I was up on a hill and was fascinated with the way the sun hit the vines. I started painting at the same time that a large storm was brewing. The wind was blowing my easel around and I was painting furiously with one hand holding a brush and one hand holding my canvas. The next day, I went back to the site, and all the leaves were blown off the vines!” Zolkover finished the piece in his studio.
Zolkover has been heavily inspired by “The Oak Group,” a group of Santa Barbara artists that are both painters and conservationists. The Oak Group preserves undeveloped land on canvas and donates about ½ of their sales to various conservation groups in Santa Barbara and Marin County. Zolkover has taken some classes from their members as well as had numerous discussions with the members on painting.
Talking comes easily to Zolkover – he is a salesman whose territory is the coastal region of southern and central California. “I had a goal to never live or work more than a mile from the beach,” said Zolkover. “I’m proud to say I’ve managed to keep that goal.” He is a native Californian and has lived on Silverstrand Beach for 20 years.
The Buenaventura Gallery is located at 700 E Santa Clara St. in downtown Ventura. Hours are Tues – Friday from noon – 5 pm and Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. For more information, visit their website at www.BuenaventuraGallery.org.