Now showing at the 29 Palms Inn
Alita VanVliet & Tami Roleff
March 28 – May 29, 2016.
Alita VanVliet
Joshua Tree, CA - United States
Award-winning California artist Alita VanVliet has lifelong ties to art. As the daughter of an architect and artist, VanVliet was constantly surrounded by the materials to create. Her studies in art are varied and eclectic, both self-taught and formally learned. Her formal studies include two design degrees, one in fashion, and the other in landscape design. She worked for 30 years as a landscape designer in the San Francisco bay area before moving to Joshua Tree in late 2012. Having shown and sold her artwork for several years in galleries, juried shows and open studio events in northern California, VanVliet came to the southern California high desert region looking for new inspiration and a simpler life in which she could focus on her art full time. Known for her expressive use of color and her unique attention to line and form, VanVliet’s current works are a true expression of her love of nature. She enjoys working in a wide range of medium including acrylic paintings and her mixed media works combining illustration and paint.
“I’m living my dream here in Joshua Tree, soaking in its peaceful quiet, amazed at the diversity of nature here. I spend a great deal of time exploring nearby Joshua Tree National Park and find the high desert and its stunning sunsets, abundant wildlife, textured skylines and otherworldly rock formations so inspiring and conducive to my artwork. As far as my art and inspiration – it’s in my everyday life and I can’t imagine life without it.”
Tami Roleff
Joshua Tree, CA - United States
I inherited the photography gene from my maternal grandfather, who taught me that no special occasion or celebration could start until the photograph documenting it had been taken (thereby proving the event actually happened!), and from my father, from whom I inherited my first SLR camera. I’ve been taking photos for nearly my entire life, starting with the 110 Instamatic camera and eventually moving on to 35-mm film cameras, point-and-shoot digital cameras, and finally, my first digital SLR camera, a Nikon D3100, in 2010.
I’d been using point-and-shoot digital cameras for about 15 years by then, mostly taking photos of our golden retrievers, which have been featured in many calendars, magazines, and books. But when I got my new DSLR, I realized I needed to re-learn how to take photos. I set myself a challenge of taking a photo every day. I also took several photography classes with some well-known photographers in the area. I got many compliments on my photos, so I started entering local photography shows and competitions. Along the way I have collected many honors, including the Joshua Tree National Park award at the Morongo Valley Art Colony Fall 2011 Show for the Best Photo taken Inside the Park, and being accepted into the inaugural juried 2013 Joshua Tree National Art Show & Faire. My photos are also for sale in several local shops and galleries.
Although there have been many days when I’ve stressed over, “What am I going to take a picture of today?” I’ve really enjoyed my personal challenge of taking photos every day, a challenge I’m still keeping five years later, with an upgraded camera and lens. I’ve met new friends, explored new places, crossed items off my Bucket List, and learned a lot. And a shout-out to my husband, Keith, who is very patient and understanding about pulling the car over so I can take photos.
The Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council is a nonprofit, volunteer-based organization whose mission is to inspire and enliven the community through the arts, and to enhance the cultural and economic health of the region. Building community through the arts, the Arts Council continues to be a leading source of information, inspiration and energy for artists and patrons throughout the Morongo Basin and beyond.
The Art in Public Places program organized by the Arts Council allows MBCAC members the opportunity to show their artwork at a variety of venues throughout the Morongo Basin, including here at the 29 Palms Inn restaurant.
