Tom Betts’ exquisitely rendered objects undoubtedly fit into the tradition of realist painting, but there is far more at work here than what meets the eye. Adding deep layers of meaning and metaphor to the objects that dominate his oil paintings, the Orange County–based artist takes realism to sophisticated new levels. Observing his subjects from both life and photographs, he carefully captures nuances of light and shadow, line and form to create atmospheric images that lure the viewer in with their mysterious subjects.