Vernazza Cinque Terre Spotlight Splash Drawings

Dear Art Lover,

     Here are two of my recent charcoal drawings finished:  Spotlight and Splash.  They were inspired by a trip to the Cinque Terre in Italy… specifically, the coastal town of Vernazza.  Where the mountains meet the sea, drama often ensues.  And with what beauty!  I hope you enjoy these works.  They may sell individually, but I offer a savings if bought together or with any other of my artworks.  I will include free shipping so the math is easy.  See some process images and prices online:

 http://www.borsheimarts.com/charcoal-drawing/2017/SpolightSplash-CinqueTerreSeascape.htm

     So, I recently published days ago my September art newsletter with the theme, “Wind, Water, and Wisteria” because alliteration is just fun.  You may read the whole thing online with lots more images here:  http://www.borsheimarts.com/news/201709_Artnews_WindWaterWisteria.htm

     Now, off to continue this precision mural I stopped working on seems like a year ago . . . [it is in my own home, so … ]

Peace,

Kelly Borsheim, artist

http://BorsheimArts.com

P.S. IF original art, while affordable, is STILL a bit out of your budget, or the piece you adored has sold?  Or do you like arty things in different formats, to surround yourself with art?  Looking for a gift?  See my store online for pillow, phone cases, shower curtains, towels, tote bags, and yes, even prints on metal, wood, canvas, and so much more:

https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-kelly-borsheim.html

Wind and Wisteria

Dear Art Lover,

     So, I just published days ago my September art newsletter with the theme, “Wind, Water, and Wisteria” because alliteration is just fun.  You may read the whole thing online with lots more images here:  http://www.borsheimarts.com/news/201709_Artnews_WindWaterWisteria.htm

    In it, I introduced a new wall-hanging bas-relief sculpture, Wind and Wisteria.  I have changed the face of “wind personified” a bit to emphasize the action of blowing, and changed the face of the boy a little, in the act of receiving.  But we have had rain here for a solid week and I just could not take another image !  Still you have an idea here in this Photo-shop mock-up of the composition and “airiness” of the art.

Wind and Wisteria shown in clay as if it were bronze sculpture

     As usual, I am offering a pre-casting [lower] price to help me realize a new clay work into bronze.

Check it all out, as well as the story behind this sculpture, here:  http://www.borsheimarts.com/sculpture/2017/WindWisteriaBasReliefWallSculpture.htm

     Now, off to continue this precision mural I stopped working on seems like a year ago . . . [it is in my own home, so … ]

Happy birthday, Michelle Borsheim!

Peace,

Kelly Borsheim, artist

http://BorsheimArts.com

P.S. IF original art, while affordable, is STILL a bit out of your budget, or the piece you adored has sold?  Or do you like arty things in different formats, to surround yourself with art?  Looking for a gift?  See my store online for pillow, phone cases, shower curtains, towels, tote bags, and yes, even prints on metal, wood, canvas, and so much more:

https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-kelly-borsheim.html

Writing Art Newsletter While Dogsitting

This pose amuses me. :-)

Dear Art Lover,

     There is a reason that olive oil is nicknamed “green gold.”  It is a lot of work to raise good olives.  In this period in Tuscany, the olive trees are being trimmed, usually by hand, even if in some cases, one may use a pneumatic cutting tool. 

     This means that my landlord has been here a lot this week, working his field of trees.  He has been using a new hand saw that he and his brother bought.  It is strong and fits in a sling that attaches to a belt around his waist.  I love it that they still use old wooden ladders here.

      It is slow work and lots of climbing on, in his case, fairly young / thin tree limbs.  Falls are not uncommon.  Sadly, I know one Tuscan woman who fell from the tree in her own yard and landed funny. She has been paralyzed from the waist down ever since. I hope to never hear of another accident such as that!

     One another subject:  It usually takes me about a week to write one of my art newsletters.  It may not seem like that when you read it, but I often do research to fill out or connect stories (and to be fair, for me research means MANY distractions on related subjects, sometimes even getting more ideas for future works).  I also take tons of images and must sort and edit those.  And then, of course, there is the writing of the Web pages for my new art, updating the site and supporting pages, and creating the online version of the newsletter, as well as later creating the version to publish to my newsletter subscribers.  After it gets sent, I try to respond to the letters and comments that I receive, as well as updating the list.  Then there are the follow-up promotions, such as this blog post, to entice people to read all that I just published!

    But, it turns out that when my landlord is up in the trees, he is hardly accessible or interesting to his dog, Gregory.  So, by now, Gregory knows that I will often have the door open, even if only slightly in cold weather.  He comes bounding into house, stops to have a drink out of the little bowl of water I always leave for him, and then pounces through the house until he finds me.  Sometimes he is ferocious and drags me outside with him for a much-needed break from the computer and sitting.

     In the case of many of these images, he jumped up on my bed where I was resting my injured leg while I worked on the computer.  I have learned to have a variety of little spiky, spongy balls or even round rocks of a decent size to entertain him and keep him from chewing up stuff I like.  What these images do not show is that he really wants to be the center of attention.  That means that he wheedles his way into my lap between my torso and the computer.  Sometimes my right forearm becomes his pillow, while my left rests on top of or behind his bum.  I have learned that if I play lullabies or even soundtracks from films, he can be calmed and even lured to snooze for a bit.  Before Gregory, I never imagined that a scruffy little, often earth-covered-toed dog with jealousy-inspired chewing tendencies could ever steal my affections as he has.

    

Dog in my BED! Ugh.. I blame this behaviour on his owner!

Gregory loves this ball with the light inside!

Selecting art by my mentor Vasily Fedorouk for this month's art newsletter

      

Snakes in art

     All of this is to say that I have finally finished another art newsletter and introduced a new painting that depicts history and … snakes.  I hope that you enjoy it and I invite you to click here to see the many images and news that I have shared with you.

http://www.borsheimarts.com/news/201702_ArtNews-SerpentsSnakesDragons.htm

    

If you like, please have a look at some more of my paintings and sculpture online here:

http://www.borsheimarts.com/

Peace and thank you for following this journey with me,

Kelly

P.S.  Subscribe to the art newsletter here (it is FREE):  http://www.borsheimarts.com/contact.htm

I love this local man's expression at Gregory's dancing with him after lunch at a nearby restaurant.

Gregory took over my chair in my kitchen studio

Still Life Paintings on a Shelf

Dear Art-loving friend,

I am out the door for another guest this weekend, but I wanted to share two new paintings with you.  And also invite you to read my latest Art Newsletter, this one about the Baptistery in Pisa.  Nicola Pisano’s pulpit changed the art world and I show you why.

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

In the same way that I saw my recently sold painting "Tuscan Table" as "comfort art.," I created the "shelf paintings" with a similar emotion.

So, I hope that you enjoy "Sitting on a Shelf" a 68 x 68 cm (26.8 x 26.8 inches) oil on canvas painting featuring old books and a headless puppet (is that comfort? ha!).

The other work is an oil painting on a primed wooden panel (gesso vero) that measures 40 x 60 cm (15.7 x 23.6 inches). "Queen of the Shelf" depicts another collection of old books with other goodies in the composition, including a patina-ed lop-sided plaster sculpture of a woman's head with crown.

Please contact me if you would like pricing information for your own collection or to buy as a gift. Also, please visit one of the galleries that carry my artworks. You may find those here: www.borsheimarts.com/galleries.htm

Thank you. 

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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

Detail image of "Sitting on a Shelf"  Italy

Taking the Plunge to Full-Time Artist

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

Today is the anniversary date of the day I sold my beeswax candle business in 2001 and took the plunge full-time into an art career. It has been a bit of a roller coaster ride and I cannot say it is a life of security by any means; however, it was the right move for me. And the only one I could have made by that point in my life and even today, twelve years later.

As a thank you for helping me keep to this journey, I typically have a special offer in January to help you get more art in your life. This offer is detailed in my recent art newsletter that is posted on my Web site. In this newsletter, I have also shared some of my experiences and images while visiting the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. In addition, I have written a bit about artists Richard Serra and David Hockney.

Whether your interest is in sculpture or travel or even 2-dimensional artworks, I hope that you will check out my latest art news: http://www.borsheimarts.com/news/2013_01_GuggenheimSerraBilbao.htm and help me celebrate TWELVE full years of art making! Thank you for reading and riding along!

P.S. Many thanks to my friend Anna Laura in Mexico who took this silly shot of me pole dancing among friends when we had “The Blob” to ourselves this past July. I enjoyed getting to be friends with her as she lived in Firenze for a short time. Charming girl. [The Blob is a horrible little nightclub that is one of the few open till 5 a.m. in Florence, Italy. There are more images from that party on Facebook, my “Friends – Album V” in case you are curious.]

Happy birthday, Aunt Patsy! Let’s dance some more!

Guggenheim Serra Bilbao

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

Friday 11 January is my 12th anniversary for taking the plunge into full-time art. I have been busy writing my next art newsletter for those on my list. The main subjects will be the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, as well as the architectural sculptures of Richard Serra that are part of the Guggenheim’s permanent collection. I include a few of my images here as a wee bit of a teaser.

Also included in the newsletter will be my annual special offer on my available artworks. (I am still dreaming that up!) If you would like to receive this newsletter and have not yet signed up for it (the list is a different one from this blog subscription), please visit my contact page to subscribe. You may also read past newsletters to see if you would enjoy receiving your own copy, click on my art newsletter table of contents page: www.borsheimarts.com/newsletter.htm.

Thank you for sharing this artistic journey with me. And stay tuned . . .

Buon compleanno, Tomaso!

New Marble Sculpture Gymnast

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),
I am still trying to get caught up after so much whirlwind these last several months. And I wanted to share with you a little bit of news, in anticipation of my next art newsletter. Here is the “Gymnast” marble carving that I have been writing about on my blog for a good part of 2011. She is currently on exhibit at Carved Stone in Dripping Springs, Texas. For more images, click here: http://www.borsheimarts.com/sculpture/2011/gymnast-marble.htm.

Because of a variety of questions that I have received, I recently rearranged the items on the right-side column of my blog. The “Search This Blog” feature is now much closer to the top (right over the “About Me” section) and I hope that will make it easier for you to find a topic of your choosing. You would have to visit the actual blog site (http://artbyborsheim.blogspot.com) to see this column. Also, in a shameless plug, if you are enjoying these posts and would like to support the time and effort I put into the photographs and the writing, you may donate in any amount you wish (People tend to give about $20 per donation) via a PayPal link in this column. In addition, I am an Amazon.com affiliate and you may indirectly support this blog as you shop there – but first, you must visit my blog online and scroll down to the “Search Amazon” window box. Then just start your shopping from my page! Thank you so much. http://artbyborsheim.blogspot.com

Lagniappe: How cool is this? Poet Claire Emba paired my pastel art "Songbird" with her poetry on her blog posting:
http://poetrybyemba.blogspot.com/2012/01/normal-0-microsoftinternetexplorer4.html

Art Sale Ten Year Anniversary

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),
I hope that you smiled a lot through all of these recent holidays and find yourself rested and rejuvenated. I was not expecting to see this event so soon (ha!), but January 11th marks my TENth anniversary as a full-time artist. TEN YEARS! You can bet that I did not accomplish this alone (and I thank you for sharing this journey with me). It is not always an easy road, but I can imagine no other.

To celebrate, I have created several offers related to the number TEN:

* Spend TEN dollars and get $11. For every $10 spent on an original artwork by Kelly Borsheim (paintings, drawings, or bronze or stone sculpture), receive $1 in gift certificates towards your next purchase from the studio.+
* Buy ONE giclée fine art reproduction, get the second for only TEN% of normal price!++ (That is a 90% savings on the second image!)
* The first TEN people who spend $500 or more (that sounds better that TEN hundred dollars, right?) in Borsheim art and/or art products will receive a free calendar filled with images of Borsheim artworks.
*OR you may buy a 2011 calendar for only $10. (That is less than cost, but it works better for this promo, don’t ya think?) Each calendar has all twelve months with large squares on each day for planning or notes. A different Borsheim artwork is featured each month.

This is the best time to add to your art collection, especially if you have been eyeing a significant work, such as the
bronze "Gemini"

Many collectors over the years have taken advantage of my finance-charge-free Layaway Plan.
You can, too, even with these anniversary savings!

These prices will only last until 28 February.

+Fine Print: The qualifying artwork must be available and can be purchased directly from the studio or any authorized gallerist. Gift certificate amount may be applied to the second item at the time that the first is purchased, if desired, to help save on shipping and packaging expenses.

++Fine Print: The second giclée will be the same or smaller size than the one purchased at full price. Size is based on the longest dimension of the image. There is no quantity limit, just make sure that you order an even number of images! Giclée will arrive approximately two-three weeks from order date, so order early for Valentine's Day or other special occasions. You may order multiples of the same image or any combination that pleases you. At this time, however, only images shown on the Giclée page and Rudy's Treacher Collins Fundraiser page are available as giclée.

############################
Events:

First Friday Gallery Walk - Indianapolis:
THIS Friday, 7 January 2011, 6 - 9 p.m.
Exhibit continues through 15 Feb 2011

The Franklin Barry Gallery at The Frame Shop presents: "Celebrate Kelly Borsheim." Ten Years after the jump to a full-time artist, Franklin Barry Gallery will celebrate Kelly's anniversary with an exhibition of current drawings, along with other works, including oil paintings, stone and bronze sculpture. The exhibit opens on Friday January 7th during the IDADA First Friday event from 6-9 p.m. and concludes February 15th.
Gallery hours: M-F 10-6; Sat. 10-4 and by appointment. Information: 317.822.8455
617 Mass. Ave, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

Portrait Design

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

I recently published another art newsletter from my Web site in which I discussed a little bit about designing portraits. Since that is a separate, but possibly overlapping subscription list (of those interested in my art), I try not to duplicate too much content with this blog. So, if portrait art or design interests you, please click here and keep reading:

http://www.borsheimarts.com/news/2009_01.htm

Thank you!

Art News Art Classes

Cari Amici,

I just published my art newsletter (to the list generated via my site and shows). If you are not on that list, but would like to read it, as well as see the updated listing for the art classes that I am teaching this summer, please click here:
www.borsheimarts.com/news/2008_07.htm
What I forgot to share is a little tidbit about the charcoal drawing “A World Away” (Sara, jazz). It was not until mid-June, after she made her debut in an exhibit in Florence, Italy, that I realized that I accidentally signed her with the incorrect date “2006-2007.” She should have “2007-2008” Doh!

Read past newsletters before signing up to my artlist:
borsheimarts.com/newsletter.htm
Or just subscribe: Contact Me – Thanks!

I have rearranged my classes into a schedule falling in mid-August and I have a great line-up of models to work with. Won’t you join us?
www.borsheimarts.com/artclass.htm

PS Happy Birthday, Frederick Bentley!

Michelangelo and David – Italy Florence

Cari Amici,

And I am still being humbled. I had a big setback last Saturday after thinking that I was better and could work in the studio and afterwards visit a friend outside the city. And I have spent most of the time since then sleeping or being fed. I do not think I have ever felt this tired for this long. And my friend Eduardo just sent me a message inviting me to another costume party this weekend . . . Was missing Hélène’s cross-dressing party not enough? I am still sick, but anxious to get back to my life here in Florence.

But, all whining aside, I have finally published my latest art newsletter!
And some of it is not even a repeat of this blog! (click on the link to read the news)

And so, now, while I crawl back to sleep some more, I leave you with this image I took in a store window in Florence. Back in the States, it is popular to create a generic fiberglass sculpture edition, usually of some subject that is important to a specific community and ask many artists to paint one of the edition in whichever way they please. Michelangelo’s “David” has suffered no less. Here he is in some of his glory. Enjoy!

PS Happy Birthday (Buon Compleanno!) to Rudy and John.

http://www.borsheimarts.com/news/2008_05.htm