A Trip to Borrego Springs - Art & Wildlife

ART

We recently returned to Borrego Springs, a destination known for the blooming cacti and wildflowers of spring and the always present big sky where stars are on display against a pitch-black sky. I feel that vacations are enhanced when they have a focal point so was delighted to attend an art show featuring Lisa Meldrum’s wonderful collection of mid-century miniature houses. The exhibition is on display till November 28th at the “House of Borrego Springs” a gallery run by Elizabeth Rodriguez at El Patio on Palm Canyon Drive. The gallery is fittingly located in a mid-century modern building designed by Richard M. Zerbe. If you are a fan of this period, then Borrego Springs is well worth a visit offering a more tranquil and less manicured desert retreat to the better-known neighboring Palm Springs.

Photo Courtesy of Lisa Meldrum - Exhibition of Mid-Century Miniature Houses at House of Borrego Springs

Photo Courtesy of Lisa Meldrum - Exhibition of Mid-Century Miniature Houses at House of Borrego Springs

WILDLIFE

Borrego Springs is also rich in wild-life and fall is the mating season for the Peninsular Bighorn Sheep. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a great place to hike, and you may see the bighorns at one of the watering holes.

Peninsular Bighorn Ram Photo by Martin Pierce

Using a zoom lens from a discreet distance we were able to capture their regal elegance and observed a family of bighorns grazing. The ram’s horns are remarkably sculptural with clearly defined ridges. While the ewes also have horns as you can see below, they are smaller and less defined. The Peninsular Bighorn is a sub-species of the Rocky Mountain big horn and the state park plays a critical role in the survival of this endangered animal. Disease, loss of habitat and habitat degradation all play a role in this animals decline. To find out more about the history and characteristics of this splendid mammal visit the Bighorn Institute a non-profit organization devoted to conserving the Bighorns dwindling population.

Top: Ewe Left: Ram Right: Ewe photos by Martin Pierce

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Bighorn Institute

Anza Borrego Desert State Park

House of Borrego Springs - Elizabeth Rodriquez:

Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce - useful guide to events, the park and dining and lodging spots

SCULPTURE

When observing the powerful beauty of Bighorn ram’s horns, we were reminded of a smaller set of horns used by the male stag beetle in a similar manner to attract mates and deter younger males. In one of Martin Pierce’s insect sculptures the stag beetle appears as an oversized steel warrior engaged in battle on a background of bronze bark. The sculpture measures 35”W x 15”D x 13”H is part of a limited edition of 30.

Insect Art and The Gilding Process

Martin Pierce is currently creating 18 gilded panels which will be used as decorative door panels for the front door of his home. Similar framed panels will be available for sale thereafter and we hope to announce those details soon.

Martin is currently at the gilding stage of the process which is what we show in this post. The raised panels are all beetles and the 5 distinct shapes are all from the gymnetis family of beetle. The beetles were chosen for their different body and wing shapes as well as color and will be applied to the door to create an artistic pattern.

The gilding process is used by Martin to create a bright iridescent surface which roughly simulates the iridescence that in beetles is created by the cell structure of their exoskeletons and the way it reflects light. Color will subsequently be added through translucent pigmented glazes.

Gilding brush used to pick-up with gold leaf Brush used to position leaf over wondersize

Once a smooth surface has been created by applying and then sanding a layer of casein (see earlier post) the panel is then painted with a layer of semi-clear wondersize which acts like glue to fix the leaf in place. As a practical matter Martin paints the entire panel and water spots most of the outer area  before he begins gilding, this way he does not have to paint around small legs and antennae and the water spots that fall on the insect body can be easily removed with a cloth.

Martin’s fondness of beetles and insects can be seen in his cabinet pulls.

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