Alcohol and Art

Dear Art Lover,

     Well, yesterday concluded Italy’s version of the winter holiday grouping.  Wise men delivering gifts, and a witch brings things to children here… she is called the Befana.  I actually enjoyed Christmas this year in my new home town and with a dear friend who came to share in it with me.  Although I went out on New Year’s Eve and had a nice time, I still found myself a bit down.  NYE just does not make sense to me and yet, it still reminds me of how fast life is zooming past.  The depression likely stems from my lack of efficiency in the "productivity of art" department.  Then I give myself a kick in the pants, right about the time I have to pay my Texas State Sales Tax!  (20 January)

     I am working on a charcoal drawing I have wanted to do for years now.  And, typical for me, there is always a point in which I fear that I do not have the skills to do what I envision.  It feels like pushing that boulder up the mountain.  Perhaps that is a bit hard on myself, though, because I do not often have a clear vision of the final look.  I have learned that each artwork changes a bit.  It must be some weird collaboration of materials and mind.

     In any event, here is a sneak peek at my latest effort. I have been wondering if the use of alcohol will help get the effect that I seek.  I do not mean the kind that you drink… or as my father likes to quip, “Drink up and make me look good!”

Peace,

Kelly

Modeling and Shoe Design

Dear Art Lover,

     Over the Christmas holiday, one of my girlfriends and I were reminiscing about our favorite models from our days together in Florence, Italy.  This one young man was intense and often studying during his breaks.  He was a professional cyclist and his figure told a lot.  Another friend of mine had a huge crush on him, so I organized a lunch one day at my nearby home and invited him over while she cooked.  Good times.  It is interesting to see how models lives change.  Some keep up with the work for artists; many move on.  Some do a little of both.

     I had an idea many years ago that my New Year’s Eve post would contain a new intentionally erotic artwork that I had made.  I wanted to bring back the memory of Pompeii and counteract this strange custom in the US (at least) of thinking negative thoughts about the bodies we have been given, as well as the bodies we have developed from what we have been given.  We have the capacity to bring and receive joy.  I believe that when we suppress many natural, but positive, qualities in ourselves, those desires manifest in crude ways.  I think it is better to teach our children healthy outlooks about our bodies and show them how magnificent the overall design!

     In this spirit, I would like to share with you my charcoal drawing of a standing Francesco.  I have not had time to create an intentionally erotic artwork, nor finish current figures in progress.  However, Francesco is a beautiful man, so I hope you can forgive me for sharing this drawing of him today.  I have many sketches of this model I wrote about in the above paragraph, but this one was a long-term study.  I am not sure why the school prefers to put the male models in this rather somber pose, but so be it.  Also, artists in the room got to pick their easel location based on a point system.  Since I was never great about doing homework or concerned about points, I was almost always last to choose.  I told myself that if I could get a good drawing from a position that no one else wanted, I would learn more.  But still, this pose rather fits our somber and often serious thinker, Francesco.

Francesco

27 x 12" charcoal drawing on paper 2008

by Kelly Borsheim

For more information on this artwork, please visit:

http://www.borsheimarts.com/charcoal-drawing/2008/francesco.htm

     As I was writing this post this morning, a friend shared on Facebook this inspiring video.  I love it!  This is a fantastic story and with a Florence connection, too. Dream, but more importantly, listen (others sometimes see your voice before you do), and ACT. Watch this:  A great way to get inspired for your new year. And, yes, the shoes are cool, too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb5kf7exfS8

     I hope you have fun plans for New Year’s Eve.  I will be dining with local friends and dancing afterwards.  I must say that I am surprised at the social life in these Tuscan mountains and was even more surprised when one of my British friends in Florence asked me if I was feeling isolated and lonely here.  Nope! 

     Joy and love and peace to you.

Ti voglio bene,

Kelly

Hindsight and Daydreaming

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

For the last several New Year’s Eve postings, I thought I would have a little fun and share something with you in the spirit of the culture of Pompeii (pre-volcanic explosion!):  Namely, some naughty art.  Pompei, Italia, (as it is spelled in Italian) is rather famous for its art.  The entryways of many homes and public spaces sported mosaics and fresco of, for example, a man with a giant phallus.  American tastes often dictate [ahem…] that this is simply… er, too much.

 
However, people who live closer to the Earth tend to openly celebrate human (and even animal) sexuality and see it as a natural part of living, as they saw spirituality.  So, to be greeted by an exaggerated male member was actually a wish or even a prayer, if you like, for fertile growth and prosperity in all areas of life, even economics.


In this “down week” between Christmas and New Years’ I have tried to remain at home alone (unsuccessfully, I must admit), working on my art and reflecting on all of the things that I might have done differently in 2013.  I wish sometimes that I did not ALWAYS put people ahead of my art.  Or rather, I need a balance; but more importantly, I need to learn how to avoid getting caught up in other people’s drama.  And learn how to extricate myself from it sooner than later, once I recognize a negative situation.

So, this year, I want to share with you two charcoal drawings that I created from live models.  “Hindsight” and “Daydreaming.”  Both activities are worth doing (in moderation) and today, I celebrate them.  So, in 2014, it is my wish that we all keep reflecting, dreaming, and learning how to love and how to live closer to our Earth.  Happy 2014! 


http://www.borsheimarts.com/charcoal-drawing/2009/hindsight.htm

http://www.borsheimarts.com/charcoal-drawing/2009/daydreaming.htm

P.S.  I have recently updated my Web site and have added a page specifically for “Naughty Art.”  That way, if it is just not your thing, do not click on those words.