Johanna Spinks discusses her Face of Ventura portrait painting project of 57 subjects, along with Co-Creators, Sheldon Brown, publisher of the Ventura Breeze; and Bonnie Weigel, CEO and President of FOODshare; as well as a whole cast of sitters and participants who offer their insights into this historical community legacy.
The Face of Ventura by Johanna Spinks gala was held on Sunday, August 26th from 2pm – 5pm at the Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Pavilion, Museum of Ventura County.
Johanna and Sheldon offer their thanks to the following for making the gala the wonderful success that it was:
Bonnie Weigel and all of the wonderful FOOD Share volunteers who were there.
Ellie Vacca from FOOD Share who did most anything that we asked of her.
Pablo Plasencia and the VJC Ventura Jazz Collective for providing the wonderful music.
Alfred Lewis of Studio Nothing for all of his wonderful design (and printing services.
Manager Kurt Robbins from Stock Building Supply for giving us all the building materials that were used.
Peter Godinez, from Xerox for printing the wonderful commemorative books.
Ventura City Corps and Ken Cozzens for just helping.
Museum Pavilion Manager Shannon Rice for her planning of the event and making it happen.
Lyn Fairly, of the Lyn Fairly and Friends Radio Show on KVTA who interviews each Face.
There was Mark Hartley who allowed each sitter’s sketch and their story to be displayed in his old bank building window on Main Street twice a month adding an extra element.
There was the Ventura Executive Suites who hosted the halfway point of the project with a great show and displayed those halfway portraits for six months, also hosting some of the life sittings there.
Johanna also wants to thank the following:
Her family, Paddy, Jessie and Rosie who have heard all about me painting the portraits, probably far more than they would ever have wished.
Her mentor Mr. Everett Raymond Kinstler, painter of seven American presidents and a virtual who’s who of America for over 60 years. He has indeed reflected a lifetime of painting very famous people as evidence in a technically grand but most honest manner (but he never painted a Venturan).
And, of course each of the 57 sitters who shared so generously with me and touched me deeply. “Each one holds a special place in my heart.”
“Face of Ventura, by Johanna Spinks” Portrait Sitters:
| Captain Bill Finley | Howard Boroughs | |
| Rachel Morris | Jolene McBee | |
| Tony Barrios | Jerry English | |
| Bonnie Weigel | Manuel A. Valenzuela | |
| MB Hanrahan | Emily Olszowy | |
| Olivia Simonson | Lynn Mikelatos | |
| Lorenzo DeStefano | Gene Dunn | |
| Star Soto | “Jalopy Joe” Moody | |
| Mati Waiya | Donna Granata | |
| Bill Pendergrass | Josh Addison | |
| Mark Hartley | Scott Miller | |
| Ken Corney | Francisco Bracho, MD | |
| Anita Diaz | Steve Robles | |
| Laci Kay | Barbara Meister | |
| Sandra Laby | Kat Merrick | |
| Cheryl Heitmann | Debbie Crowell | |
| Sheryl Kitchen | Jim Martin | |
| Doug Halter | Rev. Luther McCurtis | |
| Nicole Cabell | Kevin Costner | |
| Marthe “B” | Ann Deal | |
| Bjorn McMillan | Mary McGrath | |
| Glenn Gooss | David Friedlander | |
| Trudy Tuttle Arriaga | Brock Donaldson | |
| Dr. Robin Calote | Annie-Gabriel and Marlene-Elias | |
| Karyl Lynn Burns | Mel Sheeler | |
| Clyde Reynolds | Joe Ryba | |
| Barbara Quaid | Mary Osborne | |
| Susanna Hall Lammot, MD |
TV PRODUCTION CREDITS
Video Producer: GeorgeAlger.com
Floor Manager: Petrina Sharp
Camera/Lighting: Greg Collier
Audio: Alan Alger
Sponsor: SkyworksMarketing.com
Johanna,
Would you like to paint the face of a Ventura beach ICON?
His name is Packy.
He’s been on the Ventura Pier forever. I was able to photo capture him in his element – fishing on the Pier. No one knows his age. Old. He has an interesting life story.
Let me know if you’re interested.
G.