Christmas wishes from Florence Italy

Dear Art-loving friend,

     I had another visitor just before December started.  We walked to the Santa Maria Novella train station from my home in Florence because a marathon route had stopped the buses from running.  On the way, I saw this and thought it was sad, but funny at the same time.  The hand-written sign under the poinsettias in the doorway of an apartment building reads, “Please do not steal at least until Christmas.”

      Once at the train station, my friend went off to do what she needed to do while I headed towards the tall Christmas tree in front of the trains.  Below are some of the wishes posted on branches.  I am sad that I must leave my beloved Italia very soon.  I have no desire to be clandistina [illegally here] again.  I was caught here four years ago after a strike caused my flight out of Italia to be cancelled.  It took me two months to get another (ah, Europe in the summer).  I am going to miss most of the holiday festivities here, but I do need some alone time and maybe this move is just “what the doctor ordered.”  Or at least the universe. Haha.  

Look for another newsletter in the coming days before I leave that I hope will put you in the holiday spirit.

Here are some of the desires of those in Firenze:  

And in case you missed my lastest art newsletter, please click here:

http://www.borsheimarts.com/news/2014_11_ArtNews-PisaBaptisteryNicolaPisano.htm

Thank you.

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Blatant Promo:  Give art or at least an art book as a Christmas gift – more unusual and personal than many other choices.  Check out my site for options:  http://BorsheimArts.com

If you are enjoying this blog, the writing and/or the images, it would help me continue if you could send a donation my way.  Just go to the blog online and on the right column there are PayPal links for making a donation.  Choose any amount you desire, even five bucks helps! 

Or further down the page, you will see a more indirect way to help:  Go shopping online via the search window under “Support This Blog Via Amazon”  Your author is an affiliate and clicking here first sends a donation with each purchase you make on a click-through. 

A third way you may help is to forward this blog to someone you think may appreciate it.  The more readers, the more comments online, and wallah… lovers of art and Italy unite.

http://artbyborsheim.blogspot.com

Thank you for your interest and enthusiasm,

Kelly

~ Kelly Borsheim, sculptor, painter, writer, teacher

http://BorsheimArts.com

Palazzo Medici Riccardi Sala Luca Giordano

Dear Art-loving friend,

Once I was inside the PalazzoMedici Riccardi in Florence, Italy, I decided to take the opportunity to see more than the exhibition I came to see.  So, upstairs it was then.

The Sala Luca Giordano is not to be missed!  The transparent uncolored plastic chairs lined up on the floor served to radiate light from the space and I wondered what sort of presentations were given in this room that is commonly known as the Galleria.  The walls are “hung with mirrors painted with putti, animals, and vegetable motifs [note my self-portrait in one - haha] alternated with cupboard doors featuring elegant inlays in gilded wood, while above  runs a frieze of figures in white and gold stucco (1691 ca.). “  [says the sign just outside of the room]

The ceiling sports a masterpiece in Florentine Baroque art, a fresco designed and executed by Luca Giordano (Naples 1631-1703).  I find the compositions beautiful and creative, lovely and intriguing shapes, with mostly soft, peaceful colors.  I really enjoy the animals too, such as the ostrich and the flying goat.  I admire the perspective challenges well met, and I am curious about lots of the stories conveyed.  And what is up with the putti with the woman’s breasts, a tail, and club-feet?  I really enjoy color of fresco, especially the blues.  And I love it that one can actually SEE the design without glare.  That is one advantage of fresco over oil painting!  I hope you enjoy these images of the Sala Luca Giordana in Palazzo Medici Riccardi.

Here are some images.  

And in case you missed my lastest art newsletter, please click here:

http://www.borsheimarts.com/news/2014_11_ArtNews-PisaBaptisteryNicolaPisano.htm

Thank you.

++++

Blatant Promo:  Give art or at least an art book as a Christmas gift – more unusual and personal than many other choices.  Check out my site for options:  http://BorsheimArts.com

If you are enjoying this blog, the writing and/or the images, it would help me continue if you could send a donation my way.  Just go to the blog online and on the right column there are PayPal links for making a donation.  Choose any amount you desire, even five bucks helps! 

Or further down the page, you will see a more indirect way to help:  Go shopping online via the search window under “Support This Blog Via Amazon”  Your author is an affiliate and clicking here first sends a donation with each purchase you make on a click-through. 

A third way you may help is to forward this blog to someone you think may appreciate it.  The more readers, the more comments online, and wallah… lovers of art and Italy unite.

http://artbyborsheim.blogspot.com

Thank you for your interest and enthusiasm,

Kelly

~ Kelly Borsheim, sculptor, painter, writer, teacher

http://BorsheimArts.com

Palazzo Medici Riccardi

Dear Art-loving friend,

There was an art exhibition for artists from Belarussia recently  in Florence.  It was held at the Palazzo Medici Riccardi.  I went to see friends and art, as well as to get a gander at the Palazzo itself.  Here are some images. 

And in case you missed my lastest art newsletter, please click here:

http://www.borsheimarts.com/news/2014_11_ArtNews-PisaBaptisteryNicolaPisano.htm

Thank you. 

++++

Blatant Promo:  Give art or at least an art book as a Christmas gift – more unusual and personal than many other choices.  Check out my site for options:  http://BorsheimArts.com

If you are enjoying this blog, the writing and/or the images, it would help me continue if you could send a donation my way.  Just go to the blog online and on the right column there are PayPal links for making a donation.  Choose any amount you desire, even five bucks helps! 

Or further down the page, you will see a more indirect way to help:  Go shopping online via the search window under “Support This Blog Via Amazon”  Your author is an affiliate and clicking here first sends a donation with each purchase you make on a click-through. 

A third way you may help is to forward this blog to someone you think may appreciate it.  The more readers, the more comments online, and wallah… lovers of art and Italy unite.

http://artbyborsheim.blogspot.com

Thank you for your interest and enthusiasm,

Kelly

~ Kelly Borsheim, sculptor, painter, writer, teacher

http://BorsheimArts.com