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“Marlon surely awoke every morning with a thought about how he could make someone else’s life a little bit easier or happier. One of the most kind and gentle spirits I’ve ever known. To say that he will be truly missed is truly understated!!!”.
Paula Castillo
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What sad news this is. I’ve known Marlon for several years in art classes at Ventura College. I’ve enjoyed him so much…his sense of humor, his enthusiasm for art, and his talent. I’ll miss him.
Dani Willis
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| Don and I bought one of Marlon's cows paintings at the small images show in December, and it hangs in our kitchen. I regret we didn't see him after the purchase to tell him how much we enjoy it.
Last year, I went to the gallery to pick up a painting that had not been accepted for a BAA show. Marlon was there and asked to see the piece and was very complimentary about it. He suggested I try putting it in the Santa Paula show the following year.
I had never considered entering that show, but Marlon was so persuasive that I did. That piece and another one (which sold) were accepted.
Marlon just had that kind and nurturing quality about him. He will be missed, even by those of us who didn't know him well.
Mary Kolada Scott
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How sad that Marlon is no longer with us. As each precious person leaves this earth we realize the importance of the imprint they have left on us. Marlon was a man with a bottomless desire to fill in and he always did with grace. Goodbye sweet man, you will be dearly missed.
Merilee Allen
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| I am so very sad at the loss of a dear friend; wonderful kind caring fun person; champ of BAA esp.Harbor Village Gallery and his love of painting and working with kids. He was a supporter for all our solo artists and member juried shows...he was always there.
I am so glad I had a lovely conversation with him at Steve Cook's Solo show at the HVG and a big hug. This I will keep in my memory book.
He will be dearly missed by us all in more ways than we realize right now. But I believe Chris, our Director will be one who will feel it greatly on a day to day basis for a long time.
At the asking, he would rise to the occasion and be Chris's right hand "oh that needs to be done---I will be right there--Don't worry.....Person".
I am so glad that Chris and many members as well as the BAA Board had acknowledged to him personally our great appreciation for his consistent support and volumes of vol. hours.
One Special Person who was loved and appreciated.
Donna Carver
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Marlon was always there, at receptions and of great help to BAA and for The Friends of Arts. He was a kind and gentle person, and always upbeat with his usual sense of humor. Ike and I will sorely miss him and his presence.
Kathy Ikerd
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| Stunned and deeply saddened to hear about Marlon. He leaves a crater-sized hole in our artist community.
Susan Cook
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I am deeply saddened and very shocked to have just found out about Marlon's passing. He was a true artist and a good friend with a terrific sense of humor and a joy for life. I will miss him as I am sure you will as well.
Steve Cook |
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Marlon was a gentleman in the purest sense of the word. He was gentle and kind with a sunny personality that never failed to make a person feel good, and he was a fine artist. He loved HVG and was proud to have contributed shelves in the storage room to better accommodate our stuff. When I recently hosted at HVG, he dropped in to tell me where he could be found and, over my protests, insisted that he would return at closing time to help me with the heavy signs. Although a bit frail himself, he always offered to carry something for someone else and to be helpful. I am grateful to have talked with him at our little meeting just two days before his death and I left the meeting with the conviction that he was my friend. His sudden death is a great loss.
HVG will never be he same without him.
Elizabeth Miller
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| Marlon was a very gentle giving person and I remember him always so willing to help everyone with whatever was needed at the gallery. I just got to know him this year and he seemed like such a gentle, giving and good person.
Susan R. Kaufman
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It is unbelievable to realize that Marlon is just not here anymore. The Cheshire smile, the twinkle in his eyes as he shared his good natured wit, his constant willingness. Marlon’s life was lived at the Harbor these past few years. When it opened his spirit moved in. He loved sea, the clouds, the children that came by; he enjoyed sharing his art with them and their parents.
Marlon saw the potential in the workable space inside and out for all of us to create a working art community down at the Harbor. He was able to happily paint, paint, paint 7 days a week if he wanted to, in the last year of his life because of that beautiful space. And he worked extremely hard to make it functional and comfortable for all of us. Marlon’s happiness came from within and we are all the luckier to have had it shine on us.
I for one miss him horribly.
Jan
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I read about Marlon's death just minutes before we left on a family trip to take my husband's ailing mother to live with his sister. Now that I'm back I've read the tributes on the website and have to agree so much with what has been said. It was such a shock to hear the news, and one just can't imagine our group without him. My last contact with him was on Sunday March 2nd at the Harbor when he helped us to rearrange the Harbor Village gift shop area. As everyone has said, he was happy to help in any way that he could.
Janet Black |
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I wanted to respond to the sad passing of Marlon. He was cheerful, gentle, and so available as a natural guy. I rooted for him through his wonderful, colorful adventure in love in France. That was supposed to be a movie... at least a book. What a deep loss. Gone.
Judee Hauer
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| Marlon was the first person I met when I took my very first water painting class at Ventura College. He was helpful and friendly. Our paths crossed several times in recent weeks...Marlon was volunteering at the gallery and the art sale at VC. He will be greatly missed.
Debra Sandbrook
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What sad news! I've known Marlon for several years; he was a kindhearted and generous man, always having a smile and a story to tell.
I can recall many Saturday afternoons spent volunteering at the BAA receptions with Marlon. A more diligent volunteer I cannot imagine, always freely giving of his time for the benefit of the art community.
The fact that he had a degree in insectology interested me. We used to talk about his teaching career. In fact, as a chemistry teacher, he told me that the main things he did in class was "blow stuff up".
And what a talent he was. I love painting animals and I really admired his abstracted watercolors of elephants and giraffes.
I will truly miss him, an all-around great guy.
David L. Heyman
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What can I add that hasn't already been said? Marlon was a special man. I first met him at VC in life drawing. (We were drawing horses and I know he helped Karen set them up -- yes, real horses!) Since that time, I've gotten to know him as a friend, artist, volunteer and employee. Marlon worked for cookies! He is such an intergral part of this organization and it won't be the same without him.
Christine Beirne |
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| Marlon was such a talented and inspiring artist. At Ventura College I always enjoyed his presence in class, and he was always at BAA openings, etc. He continually sought to study various masters, adapting his style to theirs. And what a unique style he had! I particularly loved his "puzzle" paintings, and have one of his cow paintings myself. He was always helpful and complimentary with fellow students. Yes, I will really miss his kind, gentle soul.
Lois Bloom
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Marlon, you know, Marlon like Brando, was a peach of a guy. He had a standing offer to join me in Ojai for dominos, but I'm not sure he heard me. I'd often yell.."Marlon, can you hear me?" He'd smile and say, "Why, yes." I was never sure. But I am sure that Marlon was the 'salt of the earth'. Always there to help, sharing positive energy and a smile. I, like so many, felt an immediate bond with Marlon Van Cott. He was a wonderful person who I loved dearly.
Rex Kochel |
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Marlon Van Cott, artist, friend, volunteer and sometime employee of Buenaventura Art Association passed away on March 15, 2008. (see his work)
Marlon could often be found doing what he loved best -- painting at the Harbor Village Gallery. If he wasn't painting, he was helping out his fellow artists, whether it was working with Ventura College's Friends of the Arts, or delivering postcards and newsletters for Buenaventura Art Association: Marlon was always there to help.
A memorial service for Marlon will be held at the Camarillo United Methodist Church on April 5 at 2:00. Reception to follow, bring a dish to share.
To post a memory of Marlon, email the gallery.
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| Marlon Van Cott |
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| Marlon showing kids how to make Easter Bunnies, Easter 2007 |
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| Marlon - one of the last volunteers to leave at the Student Competition Feb. '08 |
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| Marlon at the Open Competition Closing Reception, Feb. 2008 |
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| More to come! |
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