Voices of Experience - James Borger

Sun Kissed Acrylic

James Borger’s skillfully rendered acrylic paintings unfold as the viewer studies them. What first appear to be exquisite still-life paintings then show themselves to be lush landscapes of the Midwestern tall grass prairies and open skies. Upon further study, the viewer is taken into the world of the still life elements which seem to have personalities revealed by their positions, relationships and the painting title. The still-life paintings are integrated into the landscape either by bringing the landscape inside, including a framed landscape painting on the wall, for example, or “releasing the still life to the outdoors.” Borger writes, “I have attempted to create still-lifes that are a natural extension of the landscape. The foreground components are stripped down to represent simplified, utilitarian groupings that find symbolism in the agrarian culture and retain a timeless look. In their exterior surroundings th…