BIRDJAZZ at Bordello Galeria

BIRDJAZZ at Bordello Galeria

John Hillmer Returns to San Miguel

by Kristen Fry

OK, so the guy is a little obsessed with jazz, birds, buddhas, and Mexico. Hillmer brings his third similarly-themed show to the Bordello Galeria opening this Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. Two of the shows have opened, not coincidentally, around the time of the San Miguel Jazz Festival. But oh the variations on theme!

Take “Bird in Mexican Hills”, the postcard and evite image. Floating red, orange, and yellow orbs dance with a subtle, multi-colored hand rising up in a gesture of emancipation. Likewise, a blue agave reaches up, while a (sub)lime mysteriously anchors the image buried in the ground. The bird is a long, bright-legged, spiral-eyed presence zigazagging in blue hills. Like many of Hillmer’s works—simple, colorful, earthy, full of energy and symbol.

Hillmer’s work has been playing with music for some time. In fact, his large stage murals have made appearances with Ray Charles, Keb’ Mo’, Robert Cray, and many others. His posters and designs have been used to celebrate more than 50 music, literary, and community events throughout North America.

Years ago Hillmer worked for Earshot Jazz in Seattle and discovered both jazz the music and jazz the metaphor. Recently, he completed designs for the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival in Washington State, which appeared as a huge grandly-lit stage backdrop during performances.

It's a big art weekend in San Miguel, but don't miss an opportunity to jazz up the mix at the Bordello Galeria. A portion of the proceeds will go to Ojalá Niños, whose art, music, and literary programs work with creative kids in the campo.

BIRDJAZZ by John Hillmer, paintings & prints at the Bordello Galeria, Organos #19 (1/2 block off Hernanez Macias). Saturday 5-9 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m.

The Great Mexican Construction Adventure

Barbara Edell Poole, owner of Casa de la Noche, discusses her love of 

building and construction projects.

Closing Night Reception for Artist Ruben Morales

Works by Rubén Morales
Closing Reception: Sat, Oct 30  6-8pm
Bordello Galería
Órganos 19
Telephone: 152 0732

By Misty Haskett
Bordello Galería will be hosting a Closing Night Reception for the Ruben Morales exhibit  on October 30th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. If you haven't had the chance to view this work in person, now is the perfect time!
This special exhibit features his first-ever carved stone pieces, as well as Morales’ newest paintings in a variety of sizes. His style continues to appeal with its uncomplicated themes of Mexican street life. Morales’ impressionist renderings of typical Mexican subjects may seem simple at first, but the combination of economy of marks, rich colors and light allows these seemingly naïve paintings to reveal a more complex and intentional piece of art.

Morales regards Diego Rivera as his favorite painter, though only his subject matter reflects Rivera’s style; they both pay tribute to the common man and woman. But Morales impressionist works are technically looser and more flowing than Rivera’s.

Morales, 66, says, “I try to create a feeling or emotion, maybe portraying melancholy or sadness.” He does this through faceless subjects in everyday situations; a woman selling flowers, an old man walking with a cane or a girl washing clothes. The mood is evoked with simple gesture, posture, and color applied in broad strokes.

Still a simple man with simple ways, Morales sells most of his work on the street in Morelia, and despite significant outsider acclaim, his work continues to be fresh and affordable. He has been noticed by international collectors who have sponsored gallery exhibits in Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona; Florida; and Buffalo, New York as well as more locally in Puerto Vallarta. He has been shown in Uruguay and in the well-known state-sponsored Mexican collectiva “Casa de Artesanias” in Morelia. Most recently he received award- winning recognition at the “Salon International des Createurs du Siele” in France.

Please join us at the Bordello Galeria for this last chance to view the current works exhibit.  Admission is free! 

Thanks to our wonderful guests for all the great reviews!

We are so thankful to all of our wonderful guests for choosing Casa de la Noche as their home away from home when they are in San Miguel de Allende.  We  really appreciate when someone takes the time to give us their feedback -- and because of all the great reviews, we just received our 2012 Award of Excellence from Tripadvisor -- and we couldn't be more thrilled!

Here is what one recent guest had to say:

“Excellent value- Beautiful Bed and Breakfast"
Reviewed October 21, 2012 NEW

I am an American traveling with mom (we both know many regions in Mexico well). This Casa is lovely, staff incredibly kind, and wonderful amenities. Completely purified water in all rooms (a God send), delicious breakfasts in AM. Great location, 4 blocks from Jardin.

I cannot say enough good things about the staff and owner. They know San Miguel de Allende very well, and are very knowledgeable about artists in the area. We met truly lovely people who were staying there. I cannot say enough good things about the hotel.

This hotel is a great place to get to know people and explore S.M. de Allende. No TV's in room, but really comfortable and beautiful common rooms through out the hotel, where you can relax and watch TV if you like.

It is like a home away from home. I will be certainly going back to stay with them.

Did you stay with us in the past?  Please share your experience by clicking the link below! 

Review Casa de la Noche

Recent Art Show by Artist in Residence Jean Dunbar

“If one allows the imagination to take the artist’s hand, wonderful things can happen. The canvas comes alive with meaning, not only to the artist, but to the viewer.”

Mystical Illusions Series III by Jean Dunbar

A native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, now residing in Vancouver, Canada, Jean Dunbar has pursued a lifelong love of art through a variety of mediums, from ceramic design to oil, acrylic, and watercolor painting.

Now on an extended visit to San Miguel de Allende, Dunbar will show her latest abstractions at the Bordello Galería. Her desire to attend art college as a full-time student was realized when she was accepted at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) in 1998. She temporarily moved back to her roots to complete an exciting and successful two years of study.

Since then, Dunbar’s creative aspirations have been furthered by study under Jeanne Carbonetti of Chester, Vermont, and more recently by three previous visits to México. In 2011, she was honored to host her own show at Instituto Allende in San Miguel.

Her artistic philosophy, and the evolving manner in which she expresses herself through acrylics and watercolors, have become the foundation for Part III of the “Mystical Illusion” series. A percentage of sales will be donated to Jóvenes Adelante benefiting educational funding for San Miguel youth. Come and enjoy!