Castles in the Air

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

I find it amusing to learn which modo di dire or expressions are common between countries and cultures, compared to what is not even translatable. Here in Firenze, Italia, I find myself having friends not only from Italy and America, but also from many other countries as well. One of my dearest friends, Caroline, is a Brit. She called me on New Year’s Day (and thankfully on this particular morn, not before noon!) and invited me to meet her and our Italian friend Doria at Palazzo Strozzi. We went to see the exhibit "The Thirties. The Arts in Italy Beyond Fascism".

It was more interesting than I expected it to be and I am not even sure how to explain what my expectations were other than I did not really have much of any. Like the Frances Bacon exhibit in the side gallery Strozzina, I had been riding the fence about whether or not I wanted to bother (I have not on the latter). I like to see art of all kinds, but I have a strong drive now to do my own thing.

I was amused because Doria and Caroline decided to share an audio guide, each taking one fork of the earplug microphones, in the same way that the kids share sounds on an iPod. They found themselves often being pulled back towards the other as their interests diverged, like a leash that kept them hostage. I rarely bother with the audio guides. Granted, they serve to give someone(s) a job, but much of talk seems like rubbish to me, or information that might be interesting, but omits what I really wanted to know about a work of art. I was able to roam about more freely.

I find that I really enjoy going to museums and exhibits in a foreign country in which English is a strong second language. I could have stayed longer at the Strozzi that day because I find it interesting how the Italian is reconfigured into English. It is a great way to learn a new language as well as appreciate anew the subtle beauties in one’s own. And so I languished among the artworks that I mostly felt little connection with, until Caroline psssstted me over to see one she thought I needed to see.

Once I arrived at her side, it was obvious why. She pointed and said, “Look at the title!” This painting (shown below) by Osvaldo Licini in 1936 is titled “Castello in Aria” (Castle in the Air). It is one of our running – and affectionate – jokes between ourselves: my ability to build many “castles in the air” (envisioned improbabilities) from one phrase, sometimes even one word (Hello?), uttered by another. What DOES it all mean? Ahhaha … Doria confirmed that not only do I do this, but Italia has the same expression. [Or as my former husband use to say, “Kelly, you could ‘What if’ me to death!”]

An exciting perk about attending group exhibits is to discover an artist that you would like to learn more about. In this mostra about the 1930s art in Italy, the one who struck my curiosity most was next to the Castle. It was a painting by Tullio Crali. Not only, like my father, was the artist an avid pilot, but his art uses mathematics in a beautiful and creative way and I was hooked! Crali’s work in this exhibit at the Palazzo Strozzi was titled “Horizontal Spin” and is shown here.

I found that my favorite part of the exhibit was the collexion of side posts that contained memories of people from that time period. The world was changing so dramatically and so quickly. The black and white hands drew me in (each panel had a different image of hands) and I read quotes such as this one:

“When Hitler came to Florence I was sent off with the Avanguardisti from heaven knows where, but still, all that orchestration was impressive. Yes, the city had been heavily “made up” for the event. You still couldn’t feel it, we only realised afterwards . . . And all this showing off, there was this business with the aeroplanes, you never knew how many were flying by; it seemed like a hundred, but it was only one flying by a hundred times. It was all about hiding things which there was nothing to be ashamed of.” ~ Lapo Mazzoi (Firenze 1925)

And this one:

“It was a crystal set, or cat’s whisker receiver, which as a very odd-looking little instrument containing a pin that was moved on a stone—it was a galvanic stone—and it managed to set up a contact with radio broadcasts. So the movement of the pin on the stone made it possible to intercept radio broadcasts, which you listened to through headphones connected to this little machine. It was technologically fascinating for those days. And then of course there were the radios, which were far simpler.
But the idea was that we could partly build them ourselves, using small parts. It was lots of fun.” ~ Franco de Peverelli Luschi (Firenze 1928)

It was interesting to note that various prestigious artistic awards of this time and place (such as the Bergamo Award and various Biennale) were caught up in politics. Perhaps not unlike today, but since that world of high-end contemporary art is still so foreign to me, I hate to comment on it. I found myself revisiting the chicken-and-egg question of whether art imitates life or life imitates art. We are all a product of our times and there are so many things happening at once that I doubt we individually have much control over what influences us. For example, in my world, it seems that there is a growing interest in “realistic” art (not even sure what that means since I see everything as relative and interconnected). Can we artists help this? Should we rebel or embrace? Should we consciously worry about these things or should we just move ahead, creating art in whatever means we are inspired to do? I am inclined to think that latter – that even if we try to remain spontaneous, we will inevitably record some part of the times we live in. That is not a bad thing, in fact, is perhaps what we are intended to do!

Links of interest :

• Palazzo Strozzi: The Thirties. The Arts in Italy Beyond Fascism The site is actually pretty cool and you can get a good idea of what the exhibit was intending to demonstrate. Click here… then click on ‘English’ in the top left corner. Then on the right column, click on ‘Exhibition Walkthrough’ and scroll to your heart’s content.
• Live with Art: blog post by Nora Buñuel about this Strozzi exhibit

TASTE Florence Italy

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),
A couple of Sundays ago, I had the kind of day in Italia that makes me feel that life here is simply surreal. At least it is often spontaneous! Originally, I had thought to visit a dear friend outside of the city, but I had also received an invitation to see the current exhibit inside the Palazzo Strozzi here in Florence, Italy. What is a girl to do, but try to squeeze in both social occasions on my one day outside of the studio?

So, my friend Roberto (another artist) and I met at the carousel in Piazza della Repubblica early on the Sunday morning and together we went to see the art exhibit “Americans in Florence: Sargent and the American Impressionists” (on exhibit 3 March-15 July 2012). We also had a gander at the Strozzina.

Between Roberto's amused observation that Sunday morning by the name "Strozzina" (the Contemporary Art Section inside the Palazzo Strozzi) as a curious play on words (he believes was intended) and another friend Luca's subsequent explaining to me of the Italian language (esp. Tuscan), I am getting a fun education. The suffix "ina" means "little" -- so "Little Strozzi" is a cute way of saying "not the main gallery." But the verb "strozzare" means 'to choke' (or 'to strangle') and strozzina is also Italian slang for a (female) LOAN SHARK (someone who will cause you a lot of pain)! So, if indeed intended, is that Palazzo Strozzi's official comment on contemporary art? [Or just the stuff they exhibit? ha!] But I digress… we were not as impressed with the American Impressionist mostra as we had hoped to be, but there were several remarkable works of art in the exhibit.

Well, in any event, my other friend cancelled our visit, so Roberto and I sauntered on over to one of his favorite places for lunch – Antonio’s, near Piazza Salvemini. I have known Roberto since 2006 and he introduced me to Antonio that New Year’s Eve as we ducked under a half-closed door to buy some last minute goodies for our all-night party that night. Antonio even let Roberto take a picture of me with him behind the counter (that image is on another laptop at the moment or I would share). However, I include here a snapshot that I took of Antonio and his wife after Antonio took one of Roberto and me (see that one in my Facebook albums…). We ate quite well and Roberto even topped it all off by ordering for us this lovely cheese that is a specialty of the region outside of Firenze (but still in Tuscany). Served on a bed of rucola. Mmmm.

And then we experienced Lagniappe: Antonio told us that he and his wife had to stay there to work, but had two tickets to TASTE, a food festival that was happening that afternoon and into the early evening. He offered them to us. Roberto and I looked at each other and thought, “Perché no?” I had only intended to be out for the morning before getting ready to take the train, so we headed over to Roberto’s closer home to get some coats and caught a bus over to the event.

It was a lot of fun – free tastings of wine, cheeses, tea, (they had beers there too), meats, and foods that are all fresh and from Italy. Yum, yum, yummy! Of course, once we finally closed that place down, we decided to head to a new bar and discovered that we knew the twin bartenders from another place. Lovely to see that their dreams to own their own bar had come to fruition! Anyway, here are some snapshots from TASTE in Florence, Italy. There are more on my Facebook pages. Enjoy and happy Spring!

Invitation Quattro Gallery Austin Texas

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

Oh, you can tell it is October. People are buzzing about again and it is beautiful out! And I hope that you are not missing my posts too much – there is so much going on and I recently injured one hand, so am moving a bit slower. However, I wanted to invite you to my “Arrivederci Texas” art exhibit. I am so excited about working with David Sackmary, who has modeled for me in the past, but also has returned from Hawai’i to Austin. Texas, taking up his role again as the director of the Quattro Gallery. Here goes:

“Places and Poses: the Art of Kelly Borsheim”

Quattro Gallery
12971 Pond Springs Road (Inside Audi North Austin)
Austin, Texas 78729
Gallery Hours: Tues-Friday, noon to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.;
Closed Sundays and Mondays.
[Take the McNeil exit from Hwy 183 in NW Austin. Pond Springs Road is NE of the intersection of McNeil and 183. You will see the Saab dealership right before Audi.]

For more information, Tel.: 512.219.3150 (Audi); David Sackmary (gallery director) = 512.924.7498

Quattro Gallery in north Austin, Texas, is hosting accomplished artist Kelly Borsheim in a very special exhibition this fall before she returns to Italy. Kelly tends to focus on introspection, specifically how our bodies express our thoughts. In this art event, you will see paintings and sculptures with titles such as “Together and Alone,” “Relinquish,” “Hindsight,” and “Pensive in Bologna.” Quattro Gallery is located inside the Audi North Austin at 12971 Pond Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78729. The exhibit runs from October 25 to November 14, 2011, with a reception on Saturday evening, November 5, 2011, and a book signing on Saturday, November 12 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free.

You will also see some works from her “lips series.” These sculptures have been hand-carved in stone by Kelly and combine human lips with animal forms in an exploration of how Nature’s shapes commingle.

When this versatile artist began living part-time in Italy, she added pastel to her media as she learned the old art of street painting. She combined her skills from the street with her classical art training to create lovely images inspired by Italy. These are not your usual Tuscan landscapes, but a more personal look into Italian homes, streets, and courtyards. For more information, visit www.quattrogallery.com or www.BorsheimArts.com.

For more details and RSVP opportunity, check out this listing: http://www.preownedcertified.com/IHGNewsletter/Oct2011/Group/events.html

Georgetown Texas Summer of Sculpture

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

You are invited to see over 120 sculptures in a variety of materials and styles by over 45 sculptors, including three of my own sculptures (shown here are “The Little Mermaid” in bronze and the marble carving “The Offering”). Organized as the summer exhibition of The Texas Society of Sculptors (TSOS), the Georgetown City Library in central Texas is a wonderful space for viewing 3-d art. There is even a HUGE charging bronze rhinoceros to great you as you enter the library.

Award ceremony and reception: THIS Sunday, July 17
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. on the second floor of the library
Awards will be announced at 1:30 p.m. Live music starts at 2 p.m.

Georgetown City Library
402 W. 8th St. (just west of the courthouse)
Georgetown, Texas 78626

See you there! [Exhibit continues through 23 September 2011.]

World Traveler

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

Oh Italy! How she changes a person. This next newly finished pastel painting is titled “World Traveler” and is part of my (casual) series of shop windows in Florence, Italy. He is making his debut at my just installed solo exhibition at The Vineyard at Florence (Texas, that is!). Your invitation to Thursday’s reception is below.


“World Traveler”
pastel on black Firenze paper
24” x 18”
copyright 2010 Kelly Borsheim
$2100 + $20 shipping (+ sales tax for Texas-based destinations)

“Italian Inspirations”

solo art exhibit by Kelly Borsheim
The Vineyard at Florence (central Texas, USA)

You are Invited!

Dates:
17 Nov 2010 – 18 Jan 2011
Reception: 18 November (Thursday), Hours: 6-8:30 p.m.
LIVE jazz!

Kelly is exhibiting over 25 paintings and drawings and 5 bronze and marble sculpture (such as “The Offering”) in this invitational solo exhibit, mostly inspired by trips to Florence, Italy.

8711 W FM 487
Florence, Texas 76527
254.793.3363 (office)

Exit 266 from IH-35, head west to Florence, then right on Main,
4 miles to the Vineyard on right
I hope to see you there!

EAST Art Event Austin Texas

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

This weekend marks the opening of E.A.S.T. (East Austin Studio Tours). This is a big deal in Austin when TONS of artists open their studios to the public.

Wander through, as you like. The link above (click on E.A.S.T) will show you their map. My work will be exhibited as one of the guest artists of my friend Beth Schoen. Beth teaches portrait sculpture and gets rave reviews from her students. She also did a marvelous portrait of one of Austin’s most famous musicians Willie Nelson.

Beth Schoen's Open Studio: guest artist Kelly Borsheim + others
Site # 60 on the E.A.S.T. map
4601 Smith Road
Austin, Texas
Tel. 512.740.7817
Sat and Sundays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

I would love to see you!

Honoring Veterans today, including my father and many other members of my family.

Urban Groove Salon Austin Texas

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

You are invited to come out and enjoy some libations with me this Thursday evening from 6 – 9ish pm in Austin, Texas. I will be there to show you 18 of my artworks, some of them brand spankin’ new from my latest trip to Italy.

Come on out to:
Urban Groove Salon -- solo art exhibition by Kelly Borsheim
4301 W. William Cannon Dr., Ste. 260 [upstairs]
(SW corner of Mopac and Wm. Cannon - enter parking lot at take right after the circle, then left, next to Staples)
Austin, Texas 78749
Tel. 512.891.7070

Exhibit of 18 artworks (sculpture and 2-d works) continues from now to 9 November 2010.
Urban Groove Salon Hours:
Tues-Thurs: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Fridays: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sun and Mon: CLOSED

See you there!

Darryl Pottorf Links Art Exhibit

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

My life in Florence, Italy, always seems surreal to me. I am not sure why. It is just on such a different wavelength than my life in America. Of course, I tend to be a bit reclusive when I am working in Texas, not living so close to a city. In Florence, it seems sometimes that the most unusual and interesting people pass by and sometimes engage with me, especially when I am streetpainting on Via Calimala.

So, one night there about midnight last June, a couple of my colleagues and I met renowned artist Darryl Pottorf and Mark Pace. Darryl said that he was just cruisin’ along and saw the streetart, which stopped him in his tracks and he went back to get Mark and show him. My friends and I spent almost every evening hanging out and drinking with these guys during the rest of their Florentine stay. Darryl is quite the animated storyteller – and he has so many stories to tell!

I am currently in North Carolina on a trip that mixes business with family visits. My brother Steve and I recently delivered to a new client (but seasoned art collector) my bronze and stone sculpture “Against the Dying of the Light.”.

I was able to time this adventure so that I could stop by Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia, to attend the art reception for my new friend Darryl’s exhibit titled “Links.”

Darryl’s strength lies in his compositions. He has the ability to take objects and images and arrange them in such a way as to delight the eye and give a sense of order, as well as creating confusion or mystery simultaneously. Darryl spoke about the importance of the circle in his work. He likes the connectivity of it and this shape seems to give him comfort. [I found that interesting as well since I see the world in triangles, although I know that in at least one of my artist statements, I mention that if you were to take an equilateral triangle and spin it from its center, you would see a circle.]





I feel a bit … something … sharing this next with you, but it does prove how generous a person and artist that Darryl Pottorf truly is. I sat on the carpeted floor of the gallery somewhat close to Darryl so that I could get some good photos of him during his speech without blocking the view of those behind me. Darryl had been speaking about his work and his long-time collaboration with Robert Rauschenberg, even sharing some stories about what he did with his dear friend Bob’s ashes.

Imagine my shock and surprise when Darryl looked down at me and pointed me out to everyone as he retold the story about meeting my colleague Johnny McGrogan, Simon Steele, and me on the streets of Firenze. And he said -- I kid you not -- that if there were an exhibit in the next room of our works, no one would come over to see his! [This was videotaped by the university, in case you think I am exaggerating.]

Seriously, I felt the blood rushing to my face and humbled beyond words. At dinner later, I thanked Darryl for being way too generous and teased him that he was not such a good businessman because an artist should not belittle himself and speak of other artists at his own show. Darryl tilted his head a bit confused, paused, and then laughed at said that “I cannot think of a better time to do it!” I thanked him, perhaps too often. But seriously, that was pretty amazing.


My favorite piece in the show was a dark one. I show it here – the composition with the spider on the figure’s head. Darryl said that when he is angry, he makes his darkest (but still good) pieces; however, if he writes on the art the name of the person who enticed his anger, he will not exhibit the work. Haha. The spider was one of his angry works -- and an interesting composition of found objects, charcoal, and other materials.


This last image was taken of me with Mark and Darryl at a nearby restaurant, 2 Dogs, after the reception. I feel very fortunate to have met such cool people who understand art and the art business way better than I and who are pretty down-to-Earth about it all.

Click on the highlighted words here to learn more about Darryl Pottorf and his current exhibit “Links” (going on through 21 November 2010).

If you would like to see more of my images of Darryl’s show, check out my Facebook Album (not sure if you must “befriend” me first or not …)

Art Reception Sei Divino

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

I recently finished hanging another solo exhibit at Sei Divino’s here in Florence, Italy. I am off to Spain tomorrow to visit one of my models (and friend) there. But I am really looking forward to coming back to Italy for the art reception on the 19th, especially since my cousin Heather will be here. She has been invited to play volleyball in a tournament and it will be the first time we have met outside of the US.

Here is the info. The exhibit is open now, with a tentative closing date on the 26th of June. The reception is 6 p.m. on June 19, a Saturday.

Sei Divino Wine & Cocktail Gallery
Borgo Ognissanti 42r, Firenze, Italia [Florence, Tuscany, Italy]
Tel. (011 39) 055.217791 [ or call Kelly +39 334.245.0129 ]

Inaugurazione / Art Reception: 19 Giugno 2010 alle 18:00 +

Artist Kelly Borsheim

Kelly Borsheim è una scultrice americana che ama disegnare e dipingere. Michelangelo ha portata in Italia nel 2004 ed è stato qui a Firenze nel 2007 che divenne una madonnara. E 'stato in via Calimala, che ha imparato ad amare la pittura con i pastelli. Nel suo corpo attuale di lavoro 2-dimensionale, si combina la sua formazione classica presso l'Angel Academy of Art (Firenze) con i suoi disegni in strada, combinando luminosi, pastelli colorati (pigmento puro) con le sottigliezze si può esprimere con il carboncino.

Kelly attualmente divide il suo tempo tra il suo studio nel centro di Texas e in Firenze, Italia. Lei è rappresentata dalla Barry Franklin Gallery di Indianapolis, Il Curiouseum a Austin, Texas; La Galleria Crucible, Norman, Oklahoma (tutti in USA), e al Museo Gilardi, Forte dei Marmi, Lucca, Italia. Borsheim opere d'arte sono in collezioni private negli Stati Uniti e in Australia, Canada, Italia, Francia, Paesi Bassi, Regno Unito e Nuova Zelanda.

*****
Kelly Borsheim is an American sculptor who likes to draw and paint. Michelangelo brought her to Italy in 2004 and it was here in Florence in 2007 that she became a streetpainter. It was on Via Calimala that she learned to love painting with pastels. In her current body of 2-dimensional work, she combines her classical training from the Angel Academy of Art (Florence) with her streetpainting, combining bright, colorful pastels (pure pigment) with the subtleties one can express with charcoal.

Kelly currently splits her time between her studio in central Texas and in Florence, Italy. She is represented by The Franklin Barry Gallery in Indianapolis; The Curiouseum in Austin, Texas; The Crucible Gallery, Norman, Oklahoma (all in USA); and at the Museo Gilardi, in Forte dei Marmi, Lucca, Italy. Borsheim art works are in private collections throughout the United States and in Australia, Canada, Italy, France, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.

Kelly Borsheim – Borsheim Arts Studio
www.BorsheimArts.com
Tel. +39 334.245 01 29
sculptor@borsheimarts.com


****
Artwork pictured here:
"Le Scale dell'Eros" (The Stairs of Love)
pastelli con carboncino [pastel with charcoal]
68 x 49 cm
copyright 2010 Kelly Borsheim

Please join the artist with her visiting cousin Heather at the art reception on 19th June.
ci vediamo li'! grazie mille.

Angel Art Exhibit Villa Bardini Florence Italy

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

Hello again. I wanted to share with you some of my snapshots during the art exhibit “Annigoni’s Legacy – Angel Academy of Art Exhibit.” The reception was on 12 of May, but the show continues in the beautiful Villa Bardini here in Florence, Italy, until 30 May.

The exhibit was hung salon style, which means the artworks filled all the available wall spaces, one on top of another. I include a few images here for your enjoyment and also to introduce two lovely young painters that you are likely to enjoy for many years to come. They are my friends and both are charming people. Ti presento Dana Nechmad and Terra Chapman.

I will be going back again for another look at the art, as well as the fabulous garden that overlooks Florence. Exhibit openings are fun, but sometimes the only way to really look at the artworks is to go back when the place has fewer people in it.

Annigoni's Legacy - Annual Student & Staff Exhibition of the Angel Academy of Art
Villa Bardini, Via Costa San Giorgio 2
Florence, Italy [Firenze, Italia]
Tel. 055 246 6737

Wine, Women, and Wood

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

In my last blog post, I invited you to Florence, Texas, to watch stone carvers at work and see an arts festival at The Vineyard. That happens both Saturday and Sunday.

Now, Saturday NIGHT, is a different kind of event. I will be leaving Florence around 4 p.m. and headed to south Austin. Won’t you join me?

27 March Saturday evening: 6 - 10 p.m.
"Wine, Women, and Wood"
The Curiouseum inside the Village Green South
6800 West Gate Boulevard
Austin, Texas

featuring Kelly's sculpture and 2-d figurative art paired with Fine French Woodworking by Brittany's Thierry Amisse! Add some wine, pate and a demonstration of Petanque (France's version of boccie), and we've (Susan and Ruth) got a VERY curvaceous evening planned! Live music too! For more info, call Susan Buhrman: 512.925.4085 or Ruth Glendinning 512.744.3411


Both events are FREE. Invite your friends too!
Thank you so much.

AVAA 32nd Anniversary Art Exhibit

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

I am feeling overwhelmed as I try to finish photographing my new marble sculpture and also write the Web pages and tribute to my friend Vasily.

In case I do not get my newsletter out in time, I just wanted to invite those I could to tomorrow evening’s (Wednesday, 9 September) art reception. I have one painting and one sculpture chosen in this exhibit that features over 65 artists, including guest artist Ray Donley.

I hope you will get a chance to see this exhibit. I will be at the reception on 9 September, as well as giving an art talk on September 20th.

"The 32nd Anniversary Exhibit & Reunion" (group exhibit)
Austin Visual Arts Association (AVAA)
Julia C. Butridge Gallery in the Dougherty Arts Center
1110 Barton Springs Road
Austin, Texas 78704 USA
Web site: http://www.avaaonline.org

4 - 28 September 2009
Reception: 9 Sept. Wednesday (AFTER Labor Day), 6 - 8 p.m.
Artist Talk: 20 September, starts at noon

Italian Inspirations Art Exhibit

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

Just Friday I had another art reception here in Florence, Italy, this time at L’Entoca Pozzo Divino. I love this space. Pozzo Divino means ‘divine well’ in Italian and is a perfect name for this semi-underground wine cellar. Pino Palmiero, the proprietor, offers Tuscan products, such as wines, balsamic vinegars, salsas, pasta, cantuccini and more. And he has wines from other regions of Italy as well. My brother Paul can attest to this since he greatly impressed my landlady and landlord with a wine from Napoli.

I normally do not publish images of people without their permission and I have not had much time to do proper marketing, so . . . I hope you like these images I took of the exhibit before we opened. I met a lot of people that I had never seen before and chatted with friends as well. People were very complimentary of my figurative art and I could not have asked for much more . . . thank you all!







Si trova (you can find) Pozzo Divino and Pino at Via Ghibellina 144r (between the famous Bargello sculpture museum and Teatro Verdi) in Florence. www.pozzodivino.eu (also www.pozzodivino.com and www.pozzodivino.it Usually open in the afternoons – 4 to 7 pm., but you can always walk around the corner to Salumeria Verdi to find his original business and ask to be taken into Pozzo Divino. No problem, unless it is lunchtime, when Salumeria Verdi is typically swamped! Great affordable dining!

This exhibit continues through 22 June 2009.

And of course, more of my art can be seen on my site: http://borsheimarts.com/ or on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/kelly.borsheim

Happy Birthday, John Seiler!

Framing Art in Florence Italy

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

Ciao! Preparing for an art exhibit is often stressful. It was so in my recent case while preparing for my first solo art exhibit in Florence, Italy. In my case, I was trying to create too many works in too short a time. And I do not see the point in putting an artwork in a frame if she is just not ready to be seen yet. Canceling any semblance of a social life and working lots of extra hours is one thing. Lowering my standards is quite another.

In the end, I removed two intended drawings from my exhibit. I will finish them as soon as I slow down some more. But it was also during this period that I met Lili Baehr. Her daughter Evy is studying photography in Florence and Lili had a dream to come here, too. She became one of my blog readers and rented the best apartment that I have seen in Florence to date. We have connected off and on while her month-long visit is ongoing. I met her friends Lauren and Shirley, and spent several occasions with her sister Lucrecia.


Lili and Lucrecia walked all the way out of the central part of Florence to where I live, only to catch me rushing about. They got a quick tour of my working space and then graciously helped me carry artworks to my framer, Massimo Fossi on Via della Pergola.



So, how about that? Go to meet an artist and you get put to work immediately! Lili thought to take these images of me with Massimo. And I was pleased that they loved my drawings. “Enough!” seemed to draw Lili’s attention again and again. I am grateful that my work has gotten so much high praise (from Lili and Lucrecia, as well as others since that day). Thank you so much.

If you would like to see my solo art exhibit online, click here:
http://borsheimarts.com/lightfromdarkness.htm


Also, an interesting Article: Life, The Brain, and Longevity:

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/article6163496.ece

Art Exhibit Publicity Florence Italy

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

OK, my exhibit opening was well attended and a LOT of fun. I did not get home until around 3 a.m.! In fact, Sei Divino and I will be having another reception, the “Not Quite Closing Party” on Saturday May 2, from about 7 - 11 p.m. here in Florence, Italy.

Besides getting listed in “The Florentine,” here is some more cool publicity:
http://www.absolutearts.com/artsnews/2009/04/16/35509.html
If you can read Japanese, check out this: http://mihodesigns.seesaa.net/article/117542666.html


It was a bit stressful trying to get my art in centro, but I still depend on Hafiza’s bike to help me. Still, I had to leave the very large box with a framed charcoal and pastel drawing at home because I just could not figure out how to load him up. He is quite large. Anyway, once I delivered the remaining artworks to my frame shop in central Florence, I was ready to call a taxi.

Once at Sei Divino, Antonio helped me relax and soon, I was back to my efficient confident self as we hung the artwork. It is the unknowns that cause stress and I always fear that tasks will take longer than I think (because I have little concept of time). Simo (short for Simone), the cook, was preparing that night’s yummies. Two of the three co-owners Cristian and Fabiano came in a wee bit later and Fabiano told me that this was the best exhibit they have had here. He told me that a man from Sicily called to find out more about my exhibit. People were wonderfully kind to me, and after midnight my friend Tuulia came over to pull me onto the “dance floor”; a joyous evening.

Normally, I am the photographer for my friends’ events, but not so much for my own this evening. I ended up photographing the exhibit after Sei Divino was closed and again the next afternoon. I had to go back anyway to replace a sold drawing with a new one.

So, I hope that you can see the exhibit, either online:
borsheimarts.com/lightfromdarkness.htm
Or with me again on 2 May in the evening. And later, we could dance . . .


P.S. Happy Birthday, Grandma Viv!