Sunday, August 29, 2010

Tuscan Vista Pastel Art

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

This next artwork was created as my way of easing into en plein air painting. This is the unforgettable view from my bedroom window in the countryside outside of Florence, Italy. Landscape artists tend to tell me that they do not understand how I can go life drawing since the figure is so complicated. But as an artist who started with the human figure, landscape painting has always seemed intimidating to me. There is so much information!

So, I sort of cheated, I guess. Instead of being out in the open air, I set up my easel inside the house next to the bedroom window. Each night (that I was home), I drew for about an hour or so. At first, I thought I would just make a square composition because that was all that I could see from one vantage point. But later, I decided that I liked having more on the right, with the distant hills and more olive trees in the foreground.

I feel lucky to be here. And I am enjoying my love affair with pastels. And, of course, with Tuscany.


“Tuscan Vista”
46 x 64 cm (18 x 25")
pastel painting on dark green Firenze paper
copyright 2010 Kelly Borsheim
$1800 + $20 shipping (+6.75% sales tax for Texas-based destinations)









3 comments:

Gene P. said...

Hi Kelly,
I'm totally impressed with your switch to landscapes, like a blink of an eye.
WOW !!! Thank You for sharing this.
Sounds like you are enjoying.
Gene P.

Mimi Torchia Boothby Watercolors said...

Heh, I don't think that's cheating. I've done a number of paintings from my studio, looking out my window. But my goodness, what a spectacular view you have! Did you like it? area you going to do more?

Kelly Borsheim Artist said...

Thank you, both. I love Tuscany, but I suppose it is an odd person who does not. Yes, most of the time, I feel very lucky.

As far as more of these, I do not know. My problem is that I like too many things and images are constantly in my head and competing for my full attention.
But it was good to do and I love the work.