The 'SPLASH!' exhibit at the Ventura County Museum of Art opens this Friday, July 1st!

Ventura, CA — June 27, 2011 — Take the plunge into summer with Splash!, an exhibition highlighting ocean-inspired art and Ventura’s beach resort past, running July 2 through September 18 at the Museum of Ventura County. Artwork by more than 30 regional artists can be seen throughout the museum’s galleries, plaza, and courtyard, including large-scale sculptural installations and artistic surfboards. The historical component of the exhibit contrasts early 20th century beach wear with today’s trends, explores 1960s surf culture, and offers a look back at Ventura’s former Bath House, unique “Tent City” and Pierpont Bay resort.

The opening reception is on Friday, July 1, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., and includes music by The Soul Surfers and entry to all galleries. Admission is $5 for the general public; museum members are free. For reservations call 805-653-0323 x 7.

The exhibit’s sculpture and sculptural installations are by Jessica Bodner (Ventura); BiJian Fan (Camarillo); Matt Furmanski (Ventura); Gerri Johnson-McMillin (Ventura); R. Nelson Parrish (Santa Barbara); Chris Provenzano (Ventura); Blakeney Sanford (Santa Barbara); and Kenji Webb (Ventura). Photography, painting, mixed media, glass, and fiber art are by Erik Abel (Ventura); Benjamin Anderson (Carpinteria); Briana Bainbridge (Ventura); Chris Charney (Ventura); Isabel Downs (Santa Barbara); Dan Harding (Santa Paula, formerly Ojai); Anna Karakalou (Ventura); Jim Knowlton (Ventura); Ryan Loughridge (Ventura); Jim Martin (Ventura); David Pu’u (Ventura); Roxie Ray (Camarillo); Joni Sternbach (New York City, active in Ventura and Los Angeles counties); and Sylvia Torres (formerly Ventura). Surfboard artists include Malcolm & Jacob Campbell with Studio 609 (Oxnard & Ventura); Gene Cooper & Jeff Pupo (Oxnard); Ozzie Osborn & Jim Allen (Ojai and Ventura); Chuck Trunks & Surfboard Skinz (Camarillo); Steve Walden (Ventura); Robert Weiner & Five Star Fiberglass (Ventura).

The Museum of Ventura County is located at 100 East Main Street in downtown Ventura. Hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $4 adults, $3 seniors, $1 children 6-17, members and children under 6 are free. For more museum information go to www.venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323.

To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

"Snow Daze" is the latest work added to the TRUNKS ART "Chill Out Series!"

I had just started a new art piece when I came upon a doodle by one of the very few 5 year olds that cross my path. The piece of dark blue construction paper contained the makings of a heart, a Christmas tree and two cats; but it was the light blue snowman that caught my eye. Baby Warhol? No. Cool class work of an animated preschooler? Absolutely. “Snow Daze” was inspired by the creativity of a mind unencumbered by rules, judgment or circumstance and represents the walls we put up long after leaving those tiny classroom chairs far behind. And when it comes time to step outside those walls - sometimes we leave on our own – other times it takes an unexpected shove.

"Snow Daze" is part of my "Chill Out" Series. It's available in various sizes on paper or canvas as limited edition prints (75). Licensing of this image is available as well. To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

Museum of Ventura County "Splash!" Beach Culture Exhibit July 2 to Sept 18

Ventura, CA — June 8, 2011 — Take the plunge into summer with Splash!, an exhibition highlighting ocean-inspired art and Ventura’s beach resort past, running July 2 through September 18 at the Museum of Ventura County. Artwork by more than 30 regional artists can be seen throughout the museum’s galleries, plaza, and courtyard, including large-scale sculptural installations and artistic surfboards. The historical component of the exhibit contrasts early 20th century beach wear with today’s trends, explores 1960s surf culture, and offers a look back at Ventura’s former Bath House, unique “Tent City” and Pierpont Bay resort.

The opening reception is on Friday, July 1, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., and includes music by The Soul Surfers and entry to all galleries. Admission is $5 for the general public; museum members are free. For reservations call 805-653-0323 x 7.

The exhibit’s sculpture and sculptural installations are by Jessica Bodner (Ventura); BiJian Fan (Camarillo); Matt Furmanski (Ventura); Gerri Johnson-McMillin (Ventura); R. Nelson Parrish (Santa Barbara); Chris Provenzano (Ventura); Blakeney Sanford (Santa Barbara); and Kenji Webb (Ventura). Photography, painting, mixed media, glass, and fiber art are by Erik Abel (Ventura); Benjamin Anderson (Carpinteria); Briana Bainbridge (Ventura); Chris Charney (Ventura); Isabel Downs (Santa Barbara); Dan Harding (Santa Paula, formerly Ojai); Anna Karakalou (Ventura); Jim Knowlton (Ventura); Ryan Loughridge (Ventura); Jim Martin (Ventura); David Pu’u (Ventura); Roxie Ray (Camarillo); Joni Sternbach (New York City, active in Ventura and Los Angeles counties); and Sylvia Torres (formerly Ventura). Surfboard artists include Malcolm & Jacob Campbell with Studio 609 (Oxnard & Ventura); Gene Cooper & Jeff Pupo (Oxnard); Ozzie Osborn & Jim Allen (Ojai and Ventura); Chuck Trunks & Surfboard Skinz (Camarillo); Steve Walden (Ventura); Robert Weiner & Five Star Fiberglass (Ventura).

The Museum of Ventura County is located at 100 East Main Street in downtown Ventura. Hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $4 adults, $3 seniors, $1 children 6-17, members and children under 6 are free. For more museum information go to www.venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323.

**Photo courtesy of Claudia Pardo, Ventura, CA
**Breaking News courtesy of ConejoValleyGuide.com

To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

‘To My Surprise’ Pop Art Piece Fronts June Calendar - Simi Valley Town Center kicks off ‘Featured Artist’ program, tribute to local artists.

Simi Valley, CA — June 1, 2011 — “To My Surprise,” a color-packed abstract from Camarillo-based pop artist Chuck Trunks, has been selected for the cover of Simi Valley Town Center’s June calendar – kicking off its Featured Artist program. The tribute to the arts will spotlight works from artists from throughout the region each month.

“To My Surprise” is a vibrant palette of colors featuring spring-summer themes including deep blue skies, buzzing bees and flowers in a local setting.

Chuck Trunks describes his art as the "aftermath of a struggle between logic and imagination." During the ‘80s, he challenged both sides of his brain by studying fine art at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, before moving to North Carolina State University to earn a bachelor of science degree in biochemistry.

In the '90s, Trunks combined creative instincts and love of detail to produce graphic business models for drug company executives. Today, Chuck Trunks’ eye-catching precision abstracts are featured in numerous publications, galleries and private collections around the world and can be found on a variety of consumer products.

His art is available via Chuck Trunks Precision Abstracts in Camarillo. To see more of his work, please visit his website at www.chucktrunks.com.