Friday, November 5, 2010

Art and Life Pastel Painting

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

Sometimes life and art coincide, sometimes they just do not seem related at all. Back in 1995, I had an accident on a three-way skateboard at a ToysRUs [no worries, the toy store took this disaster off of the market after my proof of its danger -- I can be quite convincing -- ha!] In a matter of seconds, I had damaged my spine and broken three of my front teeth. This year, one of those teeth started to rot [external resorption, the dentist called it] and very recently, it was removed. I will have quite the gorgeous smile for several months now, as my normal bone will grow in place of the cadaver’s bone that was put into the vacated space in my jaw.

Anyway, I recently finished a new pastel painting and was contemplating the title of the work. Sometimes I start with a title, sometimes they come to me as the work emerges, but this time…I needed some help. It is good to have friends!

I saw this image of a table for two with the leaf of a palm plant and a single white calla lily and unopened bottle of wine as a setting full of potential. It seems to leave more questions than answers, allowing one’s imagination to take off. What will be served? Who will enjoy the meal, the wine? What will they talk about? And after?

While I had fun with the technical aspects of painting transparent objects and creating another one of my pastel paintings, trying to be a bit of a minimalist with color on black paper, I imagined many a scenario.

I hope you enjoy “A Night’s Promise” and let your imagination run wild.


After my surgery, I was told to eat only soft foods for several days and that later, I will not be able to eat with my Essex retainer that hosts the false temporary front tooth. My imagination now turned towards one party at the table being too shy to smile or sipping only wine, or perhaps soup … ANYTHING soft to avoid sharing the beautiful reality during this one special dinner.

And that made me smile . . . again.


Allora, I GOOFED! E.A.S.T. is NOT happening this weekend, but the next two. My exhibits page is correct, while my overwhelmed brain is out to lunch.

Saturday, November 13 & 14 and again November 20 & 21
Sculptor Beth Schoen's Open Studio: guest artist Kelly Borsheim
4601 Smith Road
Austin, Texas
Tel. 512.740.7817
Both weekends, four days: 10 am to 5 p.m. Hope to see you there!

[Thank you, Simon, for the title of this pastel painting!]


Wednesday, November 3, 2010

More Boobs in Art

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

OK, so I missed the whole “October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month” to share this little gem of a painting with you. In mid-October I delivered my recently sold sculpture
“Against the Dying of the Light” to a collector in North Carolina. On my way home from this trip, I stopped in Atlanta to see the Titian and Dalí exhibits, as well as the permanent collection of The High Museum of Art. What a wonderful way to spend five hours!

Boob aficionados might remember that I wrote about the painting of the martyr “Sant’Agata” in Florence, Italy. Today, I share with you another artist’s version of the same saint. Italian painter Giovanni Busi Cariani created “Portrait of a Young Woman as Saint Agatha” in the years 1516 – 1517. I love the red wall color used for this entire exhibit!


Here is a better image on the site of her true home: the National Galleries of Scotland

Ouch! Just a friendly reminder to take care of all of your body parts before someone/thing else does.

And now, since I am having a busy week, I want to post this event invitation:
Sculptor Beth Schoen's Open Studio: guest artist Kelly Borsheim
4601 Smith Road
Austin, Texas
Tel. 512.740.7817
Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 5 p.m. Hope to see you there!

P.S. For 3 November: Wishing a very happy 70th birthday to my long-time friend Bob Barton. Still a great pilot!