Borrego Sun - Since 1949

The House of Borrego Springs West Gallery

Photographer Tom Bertolotti, Ph.D is an Italian photographer/academic with a unique creative photographic perspective.

When Tom first descended down Montezuma Grade the morning of January 5th, 2021 immediately upon seeing the Borrego valley panorama, he was taken by the magnificence of the epic landscape. Was this the most beautiful place ever? That moment inspired an artistic passion for Borrego Springs that became the creative nucleus for Tom's current show at the The House Of Borrego Springs, West Gallery.

Tom photographic journey starts as Borrego descends into night at sundown, referred to as the blue hour, until light breaks at dawn. The evening-night-dawn hours highlight a dynamic range of warm lights with cool long shadows, a sense of mystery. Building's deepen in the darkness and reflective surfaces dance in light trails. There is a cinematic presence to Tom's night photo's. A visual sensation something is about to occur.

A self described, 'color junkie,' it is probable Tom's constrained use of color that makes the works scintillating. Edward Hopper's haunting 'Nighthawk,' was an inspiration earlier on as a student as was Hopper in general. An imprint of this early Hopper influence touches some of these works as in 'The Liquor Store."

Tom's photographs reveal a mysterious quality of the village at night, sans people. His photo's could be compared to pages from a novel. Each storytelling photograph suggests an intriguing view of our village at night. A hidden story, an unfolding mystery inviting the viewer to explore the photography rather than simple observe. An artistic conversation revealing Borrego at night in a way most of us have not experienced. Tom said it makes him, "happy to make people feel a different experience."

Tom shared at West Gallery, ART TALK, on Sunday Oct. 6, his approach that " photography is truth." He went on to describe his editing process using Lightroom, " the heart is the best editor. Eyes see now what my heart saw."

Experience Borrego as you have never seen it presented before in this photographic night essay of Borrego. There are many outstanding, collectible images including Mirage Gas Station, BAI, The Palms, Carlee's, The Liquor Store, Hacienda Del Sol. Curated by the ever talented Elizabeth Rodriguez, West Gallery thru October.

Borrego Art Institute

The Art of Flora & Fauna

This opening show of the season is beautifully presented by Gallery Director Kay Levie. Featuring a broad selection of art in diverse mediums. A lively well attended show with live music that was absolutely fabulous.

The masterful artist, Jose Luis Nunez, 'Daisies,' oil on canvas, anchors the show as you enter. Breath taking, elegant, compositionally sophisticated an accomplished still life. It is simple a stunning artwork.

Jana Katowice, 'Live Edge & The Badlands, Mixed Media represented the theme of the show impressively. A collage using natural mediums including wood, excellently crafted. Then there was a charming smaller artwork that capture my eye 'Ravenna Dove,' Italian Smalti, by the brilliant, legendary potter, Ginger Dunlap Dietz of the BAI pottery studio. Shae Zoe Reardon, Desert Fivespot, & Beavertail Cactus two contemporary, paintings with a fresh prospective to presenting plants and flowers on a larger scale with a different touch. Shae has a special interest in the Southern California's desert scenery and wildlife. She layers colors blending shades to capture the life of the California flora with her own interpretation. An avid outdoor adventurer one feels her genuine connection to nature in these two impressive paintings. This is a very talented young artist to collect her unique creativity sets her apart at this show.

Magnolia #1, Darkroom Photography Print, Nicole Caldwell. Avedon inspired but unique to her own style. A provocative, sexy feeling to this photograph. Nicole talks about ' the shot between the shot, ' this work definitely places us in two worlds. The framing, using a vintage frame painted white, really compliments the artwork.

Nancy Lynn, 'Borrego Flowers' has a powerful color palette with strong confident brush strokes capturing the energy and often sharp light of the Borrego desert and flora. In contrast for its delicacy is the exquisite,' Strong & Beautiful,' Watercolor by Stella Ting. This artwork is the hidden treasure of the show. Stella is a masterful in her technique using a traditional Asian style of watercolor painting. The Beavertail Cactus is both strong but beautiful as is this charming painting.

Benjamin Behnken two ceramics Desert Turtles & Tortuges are delightful, playful very salable, irresistible for turtle lovers.

Starry Night's: Wildlife With a Twist: Sarah Seward North Gallery-

The 'twist,' is Surrealism. Her paintings are based almost entirely on her photography from her world travels. Much of her focus is on endangered species A portion of the proceeds form Sarah's artwork sales are donated to the International Rhino Foundation. Her career has been recognized both nationally and internationally with works at the Kentucky Derby Museum additionally Sarah is a Multi year finalist in the Wildlife Artist Of The Year exhibition a the Mall Gallery London amongst other numerous awards.

Natural Impressions: Rinse de Kooning Alcove Gallery

Born in The Hague, The Netherlands. Rinse emigrated to the US 1965. After spending this working years as an Executive Chef and Restaurant Owner in San Diego and Colorado he retired to Oregon. After returning to Holland to study Visual Arts he returned to US and explored painting. His works are a combination of Abstract Impressionism and muted realism. Uncomplicated compositions with a poetry of color. His unique style has a flat composition reminiscent of Holland his homeland. Although uncomplicated the works mainly are driven visually by color blocks rather than light. Certainly an interesting collection for the gallery. A side note. Many chefs are considered artist's because they view cooking as a combination of craftsmanship and artistry and some chefs become or are also are artists. There is a lot of visual creativity to cooking. It requires a sense of composition and color that is core to painting artworks.

Lots to see this October at Borrego Art Institute.