Thursday, April 24, 2014

Who painted those paintings?


Fred Ochi!


Best known for his paintings of Idaho's red barns, local artisan Fred Ochi could be seen with his easel and canvases sitting on the roadside capturing the rustic scenery. Within 30 minutes, Ochi could transform reality into a symbolic canvas with flowing brush strokes and powerful colors. His ability to use perspective in a way to capture one's eye was a trademark.
 

Born September 7, 1913, in Watsonville, California, Ochi grew up at the Webb Ranch in Palo Alto. His father, Tomoji Ochi, was a share cropper, raising strawberries. Fred's mother, Tome, died when he was 8 years old. Fred and his older brother, Tom, were sent back to Japan for three years to be raised by his grandparents. It was in Iwakuni, Japan, that Fred learned calligraphy and Japanese brush painting. In 1924, Fred and Tom returned to California. Fred studied art at Oakland's California College of Arts and Crafts. He worked three years without pay as an apprentice for Fox West Coast Theatres, eventually earning his way onto their full-time payroll and managing 17 theatres in the San Francisco Bay area, including the Palo Alto Theatre. Ochi was known for his graphic arts and large portraits of the movie stars. The artwork adorned the movie theatre marquees.

Prior to America entering World War II, Ochi served as the first President of the San Mateo Japanese American Citizens League (JACL). Once the war started, Ochi was evacuated off the West Coast in 1942, along with the other Japanese Americans living there. He settled in Southeastern Idaho and continued his work for Fox West Coast Theatres, handling the marquees for theatres throughout Southern Idaho. Ochi had to be escorted with the protection of the Idaho National Guard from Nampa, Idaho, when local citizens posted placards around the city claiming "Fox West Coast Theatres Import Jap Painters." Fortunately, Fred found a more accepting community in Idaho Falls, where he opened his own commercial art and sign shop business in 1943.


Ochi was a founding member of the Idaho Falls Art Guild, along with other long time artists such as Ina Oyler, Suzanne Fonnesbeck and Helen Aupperle. He later served as President of the Idaho Art Association and earned the 1998 State of Idaho Governors Award for Excellence in Art from then Governor Phil Batt. Ochi shared his gifts with others by teaching art classes at local schools, universities and summer workshops throughout Idaho and western Wyoming.

During Ochi's business career, he operated his commercial art and sign shop until 1979, when his son Jon bought the business. Over the years, he served as a "Gold Coater" for the Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce and maintained a 44-year perfect meeting attendance record as a member of the Idaho Falls Kiwanis Club. During Idaho's State Centennial, Ochi was recognized as one of the "100 Citizens Who Made a Difference for the State."

Ochi always had a smile for a friend or stranger. His business cards referred to himself as the "Smiling Irishman, Fred O'Shay." Ochi made everyone into the "mayor" or "governor," befriending everyone he met. He often proclaimed hiself to be a "starving artist," saying that "my paintings will become more valuable once I die." Ochi claimed to have painted more than 10,000 watercolors during his life and remained active until days before he passed away. Painting was his passion, and people were his inspiration.


(text from http://www.woodfuneralhome.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=219250)

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Sister Cities Serenity Garden... did you know?



Sister Cities Serenity Garden

at the Idaho Falls Public Library



This area can be used for quiet meditation and the wonder of new discovery, but it is certainly more than a garden. Out Sister Cities Serenity Garden, designed by Mike Zaladonis, created a peaceful, living environment for all who enter the Idaho Falls Public Library. Look closely and you will see that the Garden shares some of the symbols you connect with the Library.



Lanterns

There are two Japanese lanterns in this garden. The lanterns are places at the entrance to important building, lighting the path for travelers. Our garden's lanterns, places on the ground level of the library, light the up-wards path to knowledge.



Water basin and dipper

Ancient people believed that a man is not ready to take in new information until he has a clean mind and body. Take time to cleanse your mind of any negative thoughts that might keep you from learning something new, seeing a different solution or reaching your fill potential.



Pond

A pond is a source of purification and cool refreshment. Renewed by a stream and waterfall, our pond is ever changing but always the same, like pure truth. as we learn, we see truth reflecting differently in each of our lives, but the truths themselves stay constant unchanged. you will fine may truths here. How you apply them is up to you.



Sand and pebble fields

Sand and pebble fields are common features in Japanese gardens. They are a peaceful clean place to sit and meditate. Each grain of sand or pebbly stands for an ancestor or friend who has influence our life in small and large ways. Influences can come from living people and from authors, characters, and relative long past. Take a moment to remember those one who have influenced you.



Large stones

There are many large stones throughout this garden. Large stones in all cultures symbolize firm foundation. The stones in our garden represent the firm foundation of knowledge needed to form new thoughts and ideas.



Find the classics you love, standing tall and rooted like good shade trees. Feel the excitement of new growth. Like new spring leaves, new stories and innovative media arrive at the Library regularly.

Just like the trees and plants in our garden, the Library is always growing and changing. 
Rediscover the Idaho Falls Public Library!