U.S. travels inspired artist
Paintings on display at Buenaventura Gallery

Steve Cook's photo-realistic exhibit of paintings, "Town and Country Urban and Rural Environment," is inspired by his travels around the United States between 2004 and 2005.

Showing of his work runs through Oct. 14 at the Buenaventura Gallery, with an opening reception on Sat., Sept. 30 from 4 to 7 p.m.

According to event organizers, Cook's urban scenes of decaying manmade objects, combined with rural landscapes speak to a time that is both contemporary and nostalgic.

While scenes from New Orleans and the wine country of

California are the central focus of his show, he also has his painter's eye on rural/urban scenes in Ventura.

Cook, a full-time artist, studied art at Ventura College. He has had a number of solo exhibits and his work is in many private collections in California and Europe.

The Buenaventura Gallery is at 700 E. Santa Clara St., Ventura. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, call the gallery at (805) 648-1235 or v i s i t on the Internet at www.BuenaventuraGallery.org.