Oil paintings by artist Edwin Bertolet on display at Portola Art Gallery in July

“A Second Look — Unveiling the Familiar,” a collection of oil paintings by artist Edwin Bertolet, is featured at the Portola Art Galley in July. A reception for the artist will be held on Saturday, July 11, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

The exhibit is composed of paintings done in and around the Bay Area over many years — the majority of them done plein air, and a few done from plein air studies.

Ed’s works are imbued with a timeless serenity reminiscent of early California impressionists. He explains: “While I may paint the same place more than once, it will always be a unique work of art. Each time I paint a subject, the weather, the light, the time of day, my emotional response, and the way I approach it will be different than the time before.”

He continues: “I hope my paintings inspire viewers to take a second look at the everyday places around us and appreciate the hidden beauty of the San Francisco Bay Area. I hope to leave viewers with a sense that there is something special beyond the familiar we see daily.”

More of Ed’s work can be viewed on his website.

The Portola Art Gallery is located at 75 Arbor Road at the Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park. It is open from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday-Saturday. Note: In observance of Independence Day, it will be closed on Saturday, July 4 and Monday, July 6.

“Storm Puddle” (oil, 12×16″) is one of the plein air oil paintings by Edwin Bertolet on display