Colorful Compositions In Pastel and Easter in Italia

Dear Art-Loving Friend,

I am trying to prepare for my trip soon to Australia… I will be judging an art completion, teaching workshops, and much more for a couple of weeks in May during the Sarita Arts Festival, 25th anniversary… and then a sweet friend and I will be going to Tasmania. 

So, I want to start working on landscape images.  Just as my still-life studies are my attempts to get good at things in which I had previously little experience, my landscape works will lead, I hope, to larger and more complex compositions.  In the tradition of artists ateliers, most professional artist had assistants specialize in certain parts of a whole paintings… but I want to do it all.  Surprised?  Hahah. 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy these two pastel artworks.   They came from a trip I took to visit a friend in Santa Margherita Ligure, on the northwestern coast of Italy.   Several of us artists hiked to Portofino and I loved this grassy field we came upon during our hike.

"Santa Margherita Grasses I"
20 x 28 cm pastel on UArt Sanded Paper
copyright 2014 by Kelly Borsheim
http://borsheimarts.com/
Available $350 including worldwide shipping [or both for $600, including shipping]

"Santa Margherita Grasses II (con PomPoms)"
20 x 28 cm pastel on UArt Sanded Paper
copyright 2014 by Kelly Borsheim
http://borsheimarts.com/
Available $350 including worldwide shipping [or both for $600, including shipping]


On another topic, Easter (or Pasqua, as it is called here in Florence, Italy) is celebrated tomorrow.  Several years ago, they changed the mass with the Blessing of the Relic to Saturday evening before Easter morning festivities.  This is the post I wrote when I attended this mass years ago, with images, of course:
http://artbyborsheim.blogspot.it/2010/04/easter-in-florence-italy.html

And here are some of my images of a past version of the fantastical (or as one of my British friends called it:  Willy Wonka-ish) spectacle of the Explosion of the Cart, Florence’s Easter celebration:
 http://artbyborsheim.blogspot.it/2008/03/easter-in-florence-italy.html
Allora, Buona Pasqua!
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Happy searching and if there is a topic you would enjoy my writing about, please let me know what it is.  Thank you for reading! 

Dear Friends,
I have finally gotten an edited version of my art images from Madrid together and into an article.  If you are interested in up-close looks at artworks (some less famous than the ones most other people speak of), please read my latest art newsletter.
http://www.borsheimarts.com/news/2014_04-Madrid-Prado-Thyssen-BellasArtesSanFernando-Museums.htm

Also, I introduced a snapshot of one of my latest paintings... a 30 x 50 cm still life with an artichoke, radishes, potatoes and leaves in oil paint on a thick Vasari-brand canvas.

And it is available . . . please inquire.  Thank you!
Kelly Borsheim

Rodin in Roma

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

During a recent trip to Roma, my painter friend and I visited the Rodin exhibit happening now.  Only white marbles by the French sculptor were on exhibit and it was interesting to see them all together in one long ancient room of brick.  The curator wanted to show something of the thought processes of the artist.  I appreciated the choices here and glad to see ONLY the stone.

It is a problem for me to refrain from touching sculpture, and sometimes even paintings.  Sure, I understand about keeping something treasured in a good condition for future generations (hey, with pollution these days, even keeping something lovely for OUR generation is a struggle); but I think that love should be expressed and some of the most beloved sculptures throughout the history of man have worn-down parts from too much touching or the rubbing of fans and believers.    

I think part of the solution is to have more people buy the art that moves them, so they may enjoy it as they wish.  As a creator, I am thrilled when collectors feel that the art makes a real difference in their lives.  More people living with beloved artworks also has the fringe benefit of keeping artists working.  [Perhaps part of the problem is that we artists are not inspiring many these days?   Thoughts, anyone?]

A strange feeling has been growing in me for many years now:  a reluctant admission that white marble is lovely, but cold when it comes to depicting human flesh.  It has a beautiful way of standing out in an outdoor environment and lending class to any situation.  However, we have so many colors of stone to choose from and I like this idea very much.  Also, I do not enjoy as much the solid white marble.  A little bit of natural veining lends some sort of authenticity to what the artist has accomplished in this living material – one knows that the works was not cast, afterall.  That said, I will be happy when my focus turns again to stone.  Right now, I am limited by the location of my current flat (in the city) and my lack of tools.  I am missing my former life in Texas a little, especially the ability to work outdoors surrounded by trees and privacy.

Ah, but I digress, as is my way too often… As for Rodin, I saw in Roma some carvings that I had never seen before.  I do not like all of Rodin’s work, and I think that is natural.  However, he pushed into the emotional and, specifically, the sensual realm of human expression.  For that alone, the world should be forever grateful.  I include here some of my better shots from the exhibition.  The lighting was soft over the white marble.

Exhibit runs now through 25 May 2014
“Rodin. Il marmo, la vita”
18 febbraio / 25 maggio 2014
Museo Nazionale Romano alle Terme di Diocleziano, Roma
[an easy walk from the Termini train station and Piazza della Repubblica]

Here is one page with more information and images (although the text is in Italian):

http://www.romeguide.it/mostre/rodinilmarmolavita/rodinilmarmolavita.html

Still Life Painting Project

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),
Some days these days I do not often know which is one day and which moment belongs to the next.  I have been pushing myself to get a lot accomplished during my last term at the Angel Academy of Art here in Florence, Italy.  I am currently on my last still life project:  the texture project.  Parameters consist of a bas relief background and perishables (in my case fruit).  The central object of interest is a vase that I received from my dear friend Hélène Delmaire about five years ago. 

Anyway, this image shows you my previous project:  the red, white, and green one.  How to paint a bright red, as well as a white object using colors much darker than pure white paint (because the highlight must have that).  On the floor, you may see my textured background … a sample for stone on the exterior of a home.  Thanks to Materi.ka ... materiali per la casa, Via Capo di Mondo, 21R, Firenze for the display sample.  It was missing some rocks on the corner, so I made some out of clay and then painted them a similar color.

I had asked the Maestro of the school if I could have a studio space next to a wall so that I would be less tempted to be the party organizer and socialite that I am so tempted to do when around people and on comfortable ground.  I must say, in addition to some privacy, the wall also gives me more storage space. 

Now, to work on other things in my life on this lovely Sunday. . .
 

Still Life Painting Perishables Project

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),
I have been working on an exercise to paint things that are perishable.  However, in my original composition, there were too many individuals wanting equal attention.  And that is not how a society runs.  [Sad, but true.]   So, I decided to put the focus more into the area of high chroma and hung some garbage bags over my models in such a way that the left side was more in shadow.  I am curious to see how the final painting turns out.

Bitcoins and Hope

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),
I have been giving myself various “exercises” in painting in an effort to keep learning.  That is true of all of my artworks, actually.  This latest painting was created using a very limited palette.  I also wanted to leave a lot of the campitura showing through the image.  I am also slowly trying to move into a bit more into the realm of creating my own environments.  I do not know always how to explain some of the thoughts in my head, but know that I am in the midst of a change.  I hope you enjoy the ride with me.

“Hope” 
60 x 80 cm [about 23.5 x 31.5 inches]
Oil Painting on Canvas   -- AVAILABLE
http://www.borsheimarts.com/painting/2014/HopeLion.htm


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Now Accepting Bitcoins for Borsheim Artworks

Well, something new for 2014:  I will be accepting Bitcoins as legal tender for my artworks, from drawings and paintings to sculpture, and even giclée.

http://bitcoin.org/en/how-it-works


And if that is not “weird” enough for you, I have given a wee bit of a facelift to my Web site.  Fewer clicks to see more art sooner is one major change.
But also, I organized the arts by subject matter, as well as by media to help you find what interests you faster.  I would love any feedback (good or not so good), if you have some.
Here is the table of contents page for 2-dimensional art:
http://www.borsheimarts.com/painting.htm

Ciompi Antique Market Florence Italy

Dear Art-loving Friend,

Today I start my last term at the Angel Academy of Art (yesterday, a Monday, was a holiday in Italy).  I have been preparing for the challenge of painting three still-life paintings, each with a specific list of things to learn, as well as working with live models.

The hunt for objects to paint can be fun or frustrating, depending on the score.  Here are a few of the things that could have been found at the most recent installation of the antique market in Piazza Ciompi in Florence, Italy.  The market fills the piazza every 4th Sunday of each month.

Happy Hunting, indeed!

And happy new year.