SAGRA DELLE FRUGIATE DI VELLANO Tuscany

Dear Art Lover,

     Today is the last of three Sundays for “LA SAGRA DELLE FRUGIATE DI VELLANO” or ‘The festival of the roasted chestnuts of Vellano.’  We are in Tuscany, Italy, in the hills north of Pescia, between Florence and Lucca.  A friend and I went early on the first Sunday after a good lunch at the nearby restaurant Da Manero with large windows overlooking the valley. 

Castagna / Chestnuts springing from their porcupine-like case

Italians have specific words for everything food-related!

The lovely Vellano, in Valleriana, Tuscany, Italy

     After looking at all of the home-made goods and foods, we walked through Publio Biagini’s museum that features the rock harvesting tools used in this region (Valleriana)’s history and many great examples of a variety of rocks and gems.   We headed over to Cava Nardini to see the stone sculptures.

      You, too, may have that experience today! Festival hours from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

    Castagna (or ‘chestnuts’ in English) grow in abundance here.  The wood is used by farmers and such perhaps almost as much as the harvest of the “fruit.”  While I was at the quarry on Friday, it rained in the morning.  During the little break, quarry owner Germano Nardini showed me the castagne and told me how to prepare them the easy way.  Basically soak the nuts in water with a wee bit of salt for about 40 minutes or an hour.  Then just open and eat.  I may try that since I can usually put stuff in water without issue.  Hahah. 

Lovely contrast grey stone yellow leaves

     I must admit, though, that while I can only eat about 3-4 roasted castagne before I no longer like the taste in my mouth.  What I DO like is the flour (farina) made from chestnuts.  I have cooked with that last winter and it is very good (a sweet flour).

     In the picks of Germano’s hands with the castagne, I should tell you that he was clear that the little pan these were sitting in at the quarry was NOT the right sort of pan to use to cook them.  The rest of the images I took around the quarry.  Germano is 83 years old and still crunching rock!  He wore red that day and was very photogenic against the yellowing acacia(?) trees.

Enjoy the recent scenes from the Cava Nardini.  I will post the after shots once I have finished the stone ballerina, probably in a future art newsletter.  Subscribe if interested.  http://borsheimarts.com/contact.htm

Peace,

Kelly

http://BorsheimArts.com

Detail of Sculpture

P.S.  Remember, I am offering a pre-casting discount on the price of the new bronze sculpture "Rock Towers and Frogs" if you place your order before 1 November 2016.  This copy in the edition has been sold, but I will send you progress pictures of your sculpture being made, just as I am here.  In the case of a “future” artwork, we work out a payment plan that works for you and the casting process, meaning that after the initial payment, you pay installations based on the progress of the work, paying in full before the sculpture is shipped to you. I have sold many bronze sculptures in this way and am grateful to those who can envision the finished bronze when all they have seen is clay or wax! 

Autumn in the quarry-Face Sculpture by Kumiko Suzuki

Florence Italy Artisan Fair

Dear Art-Loving Friend,

     Today is the last day for Florence, Italy's "Mostra Internazionale dell’ Artigianato" or as my friend calls it, "The Ethnic Fair."  She looks forward to it every year.  This was the first time that I had ever attended.  It is held in the Fortezza da Basso, a huge contemporary exhibition space and former stronghold for the city.

     We went on Sunday, with the reduced entrance fee of only 4 euro (instead of 5,50).  [It is azalea season here, so the entrance was pretty.  Inside there are TONS of booths and they are organized in various sections. 

     My sister and brother-in-law are a big fan of beers, especially the flavored beers or regional brands.  This book caught my eye long enough to get offered a shot of beer for breakfast.  [Alex says this means "Success." ha]

 

The following shot was in the home and garden section, I think.  It seems so Italian to me and is a fun idea:

     I enjoyed the building containing recycled crafts that featured hand-made practical things from everyday objects.  Although well designed, I am not sure that the purses made from inner tubes and tires would suit me.  I could smell them from a fair distance!  However, there were many clever and some attractive ideas. 

 

     In the section of health products, my friend and I got to sample "Ass Milk" [a Kelly translation!] on our hands.  This lotion is made from donkey milk and appears on the expensive side.  But it felt good and was not at all greasy.  Naturally, I bumped into a friend of mine.  He patiently waited to say hello until I was done with the ass.

 

     The rich colors of spices never cease to charm me and there were several booths offering up these colorful and tasty treats.  I just wish that I knew more about what to do with them.

 

     Enjoy some of the largest loaves of bread that I have ever seen:

 

     And what patterns these umbrellas en masse make!

 

     My friend and I spent most of the time in the lower level of one building... what she calls the Ethnic Fair.  It is arranged by country, so it reminded me a bit of Disney's "It's a Small World" or Epcot... I bought rocks, but there were plenty of other temptations.  The little girl dresses are from Madagascar and really adorable.  Just another reason to go see that island country.

 

     I had to get the dog shot in since I love dogs inside... who knew really until I had my own companion.  He changed everything.  Italia is definitely open to allowing dogs in anywhere.  I just wish that Firenze had more public garden spaces for the animals to enjoy.

 

     This next is an image of one of the several varieties of 3-D "carving" machines.  I know that sculptors are jumping on board this idea of scanning their designs or creating sculptures on a computer and then cutting them out using a program and automatic blades, but for me, that is just not sexy enough and takes the tactile fun out of it for me.  However, the technology is in use and I cannot stop "progress" even if it ruins my own career.  And truthfully, I am still fascinated by machines. and engineering.

     This last building we entered contained more of the finer arts.  This last image is not a painting.  It is one of the images created in "pietra dura" (literally translated into "hard stone").  It is the fine art of mosaic and each piece of stone is carefully choosen for its colors and patterns and then precisely hand cut to fit into the next shaped stone.  I have mixed feeling for "Pietra dura."  If the right stones are chosen and the design is artistic, then I tend to feel awe when I see them.  If not, they look kitsch and horrid.

     Today is the last day of the Arts and Crafts fair at the Fortezza.  It is open until 10 p.m. today and I am told it is bargaining day more than any of the others were.  Last night was Firenze's "Notte Bianca" and between that and having friends in town this week, I am getting a late start on the day.  Today is also another one of those Italian spring holidays.  So, I need to get to work now!  Thank you for reading.

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!)

Open Heart Open House Austin, Texas

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

Well, today before the art reception I invited you to yesterday (“For the Love of Art” which had a GREAT turnout), I brought some of my sculpture, drawings, and paintings to a new cultural space in south Austin, Texas: the Curioseum, inside the soon-to-be-renamed “Austin Marketplace.”

Come to the Festival!
Date: Sunday, February 14, 2010
Time: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Location: 6800 Westgate Boulevard Austin TX 78745 (NW corner of Westgate and William Cannon)

From instigators Ruth Glendinning, Susan Buhrman, Beth Krueger, and Bruce Banks:


We are opening our heart and house to the community on Valentine's Day so you can see how we've changed!

Marketplace Austin is transforming into a multi-cultural community that will honor the interest, passions, and creativity of our neighbors. Our Austin culture is a blend of many diverse ideas. We look forward to planning great opportunities for all merchants to be a part of over the next few months. Working together with a common goal.

Please join us as we give the community a sneak preview of what we're creating. We'll have local food vendors, acoustic music, art, antiques, collectibles and all those things that we all love so much about Austin.

This is a family-friendly event and we look forward to welcoming you to your new favorite place to hang out in South Austin!

Don’t forget to bring healthy, non-perishable food items for the Capital Area Food Bank.

Happy San Valentino!

[The sculpture you see here is “The Little Mermaid” – bronze figure with a granite base.]

International Festival - Florence, Italy

Since Thursday evening, Piazza Santa Croce has housed the International Festival. It ends today, but not before my friend Hafiza and I will try out some of the German sausages and sauerkraut. I truly enjoy all of the activity this particular piazza supports. I am so very lucky to be living here in the home of my friend Grazia.