Carnevale Sunrise

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

I love costumes! Like art, costumes allow us to express our personalities in usual ways. The mysteries of a mask, the fantastically bright colors that one might not otherwise want to wear, and the shapes, oh, the shapes: how marvelous is life!

But although I adore people in costume, I do not always love being surrounded by hoards of people. So, some years ago when I went to Venice, Italy, for the famous Carnevale festival, I took a train from Florence at 1 am and arrived in Venice before the sun came up. [Anyone who knows me can understand what an effort for me this was!]

It was worth the effort. The city was vacant and silent. Walking along alleyways while following the many canals in such silence was almost spiritual. Signs of life began to emerge as the dark night slowly turned into a dark blue. Local merchants began moving in fresh fish and other goods with small dollies. No one greeted me or even looked my way – locals are used to tourists and no doubt relish these quiet moments to themselves.

The morning was cold as I stopped somewhere to slip my costume over my clothes. I found an old mirror or maybe it was only a reflective window somewhere near the fish market, and checked the fringe on my mask. Then I made my way down to the famous Piazza San Marco.

The sun was rising. That is something I rarely get to see, so I made my way over to the water’s edge. What a glorious sight! The skies. The sleeping gondolas. The waters of Venice. And the costumes were out. The figures moved in the most theatrical of ways. Such drama in the quiet morning!

So, I introduce to you my newest pastel painting, “Carnevale Sunrise” Enjoy free shipping when you add this one to your collection. I hope you love her as much as I enjoyed creating her. You may see more detailed images on my site at: www.borsheimarts.com/pastels/2010/carnival.htm


"Carnevale Sunrise"
Pastel 16 x 24 inches
copyright 2010
by Kelly Borsheim
www.BorsheimArts.com

And a little reminder about my workshop “Pastel in Paradise” that will occur on the Big Island of Hawai’i in September 2010. Mark your calendar for this exciting (and relaxing) event!

For more about Carnevale (‘Carnival’ in English), visit Wikipedia’s page. Buona Festa! (And Happy Chinese New Year, too!)

Original Oil Painting Mario The Naked Gondolier

Cari Amici,
Back in November, I did a sketch in a white pencil on a dark charcoal paper of an Italian model named Mario. Another “light emerging from darkness” image of a fairly classical style standing pose of a nude male figure.

I liked the shapes so much that I decided to make this study of Mario into one of my Naked Gondoliers painting series. (Mario is actually the first one completed in this painting series.) And so, I have painted this lovely male figure in oil on canvas in my favorite sepia tones: Mario, The Naked Gondolier. I wanted just a hint of Venice in the image, so there is a dark curve of a bridge behind Mario’s head and a gondola under his feet. There is a slight hint of light rippling in dark water to the right. I love the mysterious qualities of this image and may keep exploring these ideas.

Mario measures 45 cm x 30 cm (approximately 17.5 x 12 inches). This oilo sul tela (oil on canvas) will sell for $600, plus shipping and insurance from Italia $25.
I take PayPal here or I can send you an invoice via e-mail.

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And for those who are drawn to the original pencil drawing of the standing male figure, “Study for Mario The Naked Gondolier” is also available. The figure is about 42 centimeters (just over 16 inches) tall. I drew in the light shapes only with a white pencil on a dark charcoal grey Canson paper.

The paper for framing purposes is around 47 x 30 cm, not counting what would be under the mat and frame. The drawing is signed and dated 7 November 2007.

The original drawing of Mario sells for $200, plus $20 shipping and handling.

And again, thank for your making the dream possible.