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buzz | tidbits
b uzz | tidbits
WHO’S WHO

WHAT’S WHAT

NEWS | EVENTS | AWARDS | SPOTLIGHTS

ROBERT KOCH

VIGNETTES CREATED WITH PLAYFUL, INTENTIONAL STROKES

oward Hanson Gallery in Ashland recommended Robert Koch as an artist
Hof note. Gestural strokes and spontaneous marks collide with color blocks
in Koch’s narrative vignettes. Often prompted by found photographs, Koch takes
ART PICK mean each mark is playful and intentional at the same time. The characters, curi-
the liberty to make his subjects humans or creatures inhabiting the same world.
Having the appearance of quickness and even naiveté, Koch’s deft drawing skills
ous, awkward, and endearing are defined with just a few loose yet decisive lines.
Humor and charm always shine through.

A trip to Japan when he was 20 had a lasting impact; the colors, the light,
the graphic quality of the written language and the natural designs one finds
throughout Japanese daily life imprinted on his sensibility. For Koch, a successful
painting is not only compositionally strong but also has a story to tell. If the result
makes him laugh, he knows he has done what he has set out to do.

www.flickr.com/photos/rwkoch

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

JESSICA GOMEZ OF ROGUE VALLEY MICRODEVICES

AWARDS TMicrodevices as its 2020 Pacific Northwest Region Award finalist. It is one of the preeminent competitive
he Entrepreneur of the Year program, in its 34th year, announced Jessica Gomez, CEO of Rogue Valley

award programs for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies—business leaders whose ambitions
deliver innovation, growth, and prosperity as they build and sustain successful businesses that transform the world.
Judges comprised a panel of previous award winners and other business leaders.

Gomez is proud to be a finalist. The next level is national awards. The Entrepreneur of the Year National Overall
Award winner will then compete for the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year in January of 2021.

Rogue Valley Microdevices is a full-service MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) foundry that specializes in in
MEMS and biomedical device manufacturing.

18 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | fall 2020