Saturday, March 7, 2015

Day Tour Istria: Novigrad, Croatia

Dear Art lover,

     Yesterday was the anniversary of Michelangelo’s birthday, as well as the birthday of my landlady, Miranda.  Because you needed to know that!  Her grandson Boris took me out for about six hours.  We drove around Istria because Miranda wanted me to see something of the land.  I have been working so much trying to figure out my life and what is next for my art that I hardly leave my room, except for grocery store runs and occasional walks along the sea.  I make jokes that the real reason Miranda knocks on my door with some local treats is to make sure that I have not succumbed in her home!

     Boris and I visited briefly Novigrad, Poreč, Pazin, and Motovun.  On the return from Motovun, we passed the home of actor Anthony Hopkins, with a view of Grožnjan.  I learned some unusual facts about Istria and Croatia.  For example, the Croatians invented the tie.  It was then stolen by the French when Napoleon discovered it. 

Istrian colors in downtown Novigrad, Croatia
Beautiful warm colors in central Novigrad, Croatia

Stone and concrete are classical combinations from Roman times
ramp /stair combo of stone and cement
     Also, there are about nine or ten distinct types of wind here… I mean actually wind, not the punny kind.  People here mostly speak of La Bora (the cold and cutting wind that we experienced yesterday and the day before) and Il Jugo [the warm and humid wind that the Istrians find draining and depressing].  Boris told me that La Bora lasts either one, three, or five days; never for two or four days.  Well, that is easy to remember:  It is not even, it’s ODD!  Haha.  It does cut through and I told Miranda that I was grateful that she loaned me her coat early in my arrival.  It offers much better protection from the wind than my own coat does.

     Anyway, here are a few snapshots of our little daytrip to see the land of Miranda (and Boris)’s birth.  Today, I am featuring a glimpse into Novigrad, Croatia.  I would definitely enjoy returning to this place for a closer look!


     I am so excited by my early supporters for the “Casting Call: I’m Melting . . . Melting! Into Bronze” on Kickstarter.  We have now surpassed the $1,000 mark and have still a long way to go, but hey, it is all in the baby steps before running and every single part helps with the whole goal!

The Adriatic Sea meets the old stone wall in Novigrad, Croatia

 
The Adriatic Sea meets the old stone wall in Novigrad, Croatia
The Adriatic Sea meets the old stone wall in Novigrad, Croatia
Stone walls on the Adriatic Sea in Novigrad, Croatia     I cannot thank you enough for participating in any way.  You may even help by spreading the word (with the link for easy access).  Word of mouth with a personal note is the best way to connect, as you know.  So, here it is and thanks for checking it out.  I will be adding a few new rewards in the coming days.  I really want these wax sculptures cast.

This is a link to my new and first Kickstarter project.  Maybe you have heard of Kickstarter.com? https://www.kickstarter.com/

Thank you so much,

Kelly

~ Kelly Borsheim, sculptor, painter, writer, teacher


Stone Tower on the Adriatic Sea in Novigrad, Croatia

Adriatic Sea Novigrad, Croatia beach shore

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Kickstarter Casting Call: I’m Melting . . . Melting! Into Bronze


Dear Art lover,
  
     Have you ever wondered how bronze sculpture is created?  The process is SO very different from how stone sculptures are carved!  I have recently revamped a text I wrote years ago, with images, to help explain the many complicated steps in bronze casting, using the “Lost Wax Method.”   

bronze casting, pouring bronze, molten bronze, sculpture, sculptor
L-R:  Sculptor Colleagues Marla Ripperda, Bill Barnett, and Kelly Borsheim pour molten bronze in Austin, Texas in 2002.


You may see this online for a limited time at:

     This is a link to my new and first Kickstarter project.  Maybe you have heard of Kickstarter.com
 It is a site which allows artists, musicians, inventors, and such to present to the world a project or idea that they want to bring to reality.  ANYONE can pitch in to help.  The artist, as I have done, creates a variety of levels of Rewards.  In this way, you may choose to support as much or as little of the project as you desire.  You also receive something back (if you choose) as a reminder that you helped create something worth doing.  And hopefully your life is enriched as well.

     In my case, I am losing my storage space in central Texas this summer.  Many years ago, I had created wax sculptures hoping to be able to cast them into the more permanent medium of bronze.  It is time now to decide what the future of those wax figures will be.  

     I have created many rewards, from note cards to print (paper and metal), and of course, bronze sculpture.  I have tried to make it easy for anyone to support the future of my sculptures on any level possible:  from $5 to $10K.  And you may be surprised how any little bit helps.  

     With Kickstarter, it is all or nothing.  Funders pledge their desired amounts, but they pay nothing until the pledge drive is over and only if it has reached at least its funding goal.  Then Kickstarter asks them to honor their pledge via credit card.  The artist is later paid by Kickstarter and the rewards are sent out per the schedule the artist has posted on the project site.

     And there is another way that you may help.  Spread the word … and the link!  Word of mouth is still the best way to share ideas you love and I thank you for helping me continue with art.  I must admit that making it and then marketing and selling it is a lot of work for one person.  And in the end, I really believe that anything worthwhile cannot be done in a vacuum.  You are so much a part of what keeps me going.  

Thank you so much,
Kelly

~ Kelly Borsheim, sculptor, painter, writer, teacher