Expressionist Work Receives Blue Ribbon

During the more than 40 years Gerd Koch has been a painter, the Ventura man has collected so many honors “I can’t count them,” Koch said.

Still, Koch said it was a “great thrill” when his abstract Expressionist painting, “Spirit of the Shaman,” won a blue ribbon in the annual art competition put on by the Buenaventura Art Assn.

“Especially at this time, when I’m winding up one career and thinking about starting another as an independent,” said Koch.

The artist has taught art at Ventura College for 28 years.

Koch was among 10 Ventura County artists who received cash prizes and honors for their artwork during a reception at the Buenaventura Gallery in Ventura Friday night.

Koch took top honors--and won $200--in the two-dimensional art category for “Shaman.”

“Shaman” is an abstract Expressionist painting depicting the spirit of a shaman, a spiritual leader in certain cultures, including American Indians, Koch said.

“It’s kind of like the soul, I suppose,” he said.

Marcia Cummings of Oxnard also won a blue ribbon and received $200 in the three-dimensional category for her “High Tech Egg,” a white plaster egg with a zipper on top, set on a clear acrylic pedestal cube filled with metal shavings.

Gallery director Lee Hodges called Cummings’ work a “whimsical commentary on technology.”

The work of this year’s winners, plus more than 100 pieces of art by other local artists who entered the juried art show, will be on display at the gallery through Dec. 4.

The gallery is at 700 E. Santa Clara St.

Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.