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 famouse 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.  [I did send a message to my former landladies wishing them happy holidays in an effort to let them know that I blame them less for my losing my home this spring and was happy to receive a lovely response.]

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!


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, you may choose to avoid clicking on those words.

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. 

Anthurium Art

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

Nature often repeats her patterns and shapes, especially when they are successful. No doubt you have seen the spiral in the nautilus shell (often used as a visual to explain the mathematical terms of the Golden Mean or Golden Ratio and the Fibonacci Sequence). That spiral shape is also found in many plants, such as in the branches of an agave, the petals on the head of an artichoke, fruitlets of a pineapple, and in pine cones.

Ripples, twists, fractals, branching and more … we see recurring Nature’s patterns everywhere from the cracked dry earth to the veining in leaves to the billows of cloud patches, the scales on a snake, soap bubbles, honeycomb, and the staggered rows of kernels on corn cobs. Under water, over water, even water: the repetition of shapes, lines, and textures are everywhere. We are fascinated, as well as comforted by their beautiful design.

In what may be becoming my New Years' Eve tradition, I now would like to introduce you to another intentionally erotic artwork… if this is not your kind of thing, please just stop reading and go do something more interesting.

The concept, of course, is about the beauty and function in Nature’s repeating patterns.


“Anthurium”
pastel on black Firenze-brand paper
9” x 25”
$1800 + $20 shipping (6.75% sales tax to Texas destinations)

The idea for this pastel painting titled “Anthurium” was birthed back in 2007 in Florence, Italy. I did a commissioned pencil drawing for an Italian flower vendor who opened shop every day (but Sunday) in the piazza closest to my rented flat.

One day he asked me if I could do a drawing from a photograph and when I responded with a shrug, “Perché no?”, he pulled out a small, dark photo of himself, posing in shorts with an almost body builder physique. He seemed quite pleased to see the surprise in my face. It had never occurred to me that he would want me to do a drawing of him.

At the time, I had not yet created many images of a figure in an environment. Despite my very long days at the Angel Academy of Arts, I came home each night and worked really hard to create a drawing that I wanted to sign. The reference photo was horrible, so I immediately decided to create my own design around the figure. I came up with a border reminiscent of the shape of Florence’s famous Duomo and drew flowers around my friend’s image.

When I was nearing completion, I took the drawing over to show him and he actually made me remove one of the flowers I had chosen for its compositional value, and he said to me with a straight face, “THIS is my favorite flower.” I looked at the flower he pointed to, looked back at his expression, and thought, “You have got to be kidding me!”

I never could tell if he was or not, but I finished the drawing with his beloved anthuriums and he seemed genuinely delighted with it. Some ideas hang inside my head for years before they manifest themselves. I hope this one makes you smile.

I wish you a colorful and joyful 2011, full of ups more than downs and an honest appreciation of Nature’s offerings. Thank you for reading my blog and cruising along with this artistic journey.