Towards Siena Oil Painting

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

"Towards Siena"
oil on board
24" x 16"
copyright 2009 by Kelly Borsheim


As you can see, I ended up making different choices than what I shared with your on my last post about brainstorming. However, you may observe that the basic design as far as where the light goes is still there.

While I was creating a landscape inspired by Siena, Italy, it occurred to me that I was probably subliminally influenced by a lot of traditional Italian portraits, including the "Mona Lisa." Except that in this case, I have the subject of the portrait looking away from the viewer and towards the landscape. I wondered if some day after I am long gone, some critic will dig up this painting somewhere and claim that I was making some sort of statement or something. Maybe I should just proclaim right now that I had this very intent and be done with it!

“Towards Siena” will debut in Indianapolis after I arrive for my presentation about my life as an Italian street painter and the next night, for an art reception. Both events occur at the Franklin Barry Gallery on Massachusetts Avenue (Mass Ave, the locals call her).

Feel free to add your honest comments or crits. Creation is always a process and there are many other choices that could have been made. (But I am quite happy with this effort.) Thank you.

More resources:
Italian Portrait Painting In The Sixteenth Century

Florentine School, mid Sixteenth Century: Portrait of a Young Man

If you like what you read, enjoy the photos, and would like to help support this blog(ger) / artist, click here . . .

BrainStorming Ideas for a Painting

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

Is it worth it to keep old sketches? I have been reviewing old works that I have kept in my studio over the years to see if any still speak to me. The image below is of a large piece of grey-primed masonite on which I painted (in oil) several sketches from life many years ago -- perhaps 1997? I always liked parts of it, but these were short poses and I did not have time to finish. I also realize that it is almost impossible to recreate a model sitting -- the lighting, the pose -- Still, does my studio need the cleaning that badly? Hint: I am not at all impressed with the job I did on the woman's face in the upper left . . .



Once I made my decision, I cut the board along a pencil line (perhaps you noticed in the image before this one). The board was then sanded and re-gessoed, pretty much leaving the figure alone. (The other part of the board was completely redone and a new composition now exists on it.) I cannot explain why I have liked this sketch of the back of a man’s head all of these years, but I do. So, I took a photo and went into Photoshop to brainstorm ideas for the rest of the composition. My first step was to decide the direction of the light that would compliment my sketch. Then I would be more able to figure out what shapes I wanted to enhance the basic design.

I often spend time admiring the skies and taking images when so moved. I have been dying to paint clouds for years and return to them often. This next was one layered image with a silhouetted tree from my yard added to give me the contrast that I was seeking. I like this ok, but was not wow'd. But I just wanted to show you that for all of the paintings that you see, there is generally a lot of "behind the scene" thinking going on to brainstorm ideas for paintings, and in some cases, many drawings or collages in one medium or another that you may never see.


I will post the finished painting here soon. He will debut in Indianapolis after I arrive at the Franklin Barry Gallery for my presentation about “My Life as a ‘Madonnara’ (street painter) in Italy” on November 5th (small admission fee). The next night is an art reception for some of my new works, as part of the IDADA First Friday Art Tour, Friday, Nov. 6th, 6-9:00 pm.

Franklin Barry Gallery, 617 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis. Information: 317/822-8455.

October is National Arts and Humanities Month

Male Nude Study Prudhon Art

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

While I spend most of my day painting and sculpting, I also try to squeeze in some drawing time. There are naturally several reasons for this, but mostly, I love the feel of pencil or charcoal on paper. And I love the quality look of a good drawing.

In order to keep up my skills and hopefully put great art techniques into at least my subconscious, I have been creating copies of great drawings. This time I present to you my second copy of a male nude figure by Paul Pierre Prud’hon.

Like my first Prudhon copy, “Male Study for an Allegory of the Rhine River,” this untitled male figure (I call him simply “# 2”) was drawn with charcoal and white pastel. He is on Umbria-brand paper that I brought back to Texas with me from Italy. The black and white drawing on a crème-colored paper measures 17” x 12” and will sell for $600 + $20 shipping (Texas sales tax of 6.75% applies to some).

If interested in acquiring this drawing of a beautiful male figure, either click on the PayPal button below or contact the studio.

And thank you for your interest in classical figurative art.

# 2
“Male Figure Leaning Over”
charcoal and white chalk drawing
(Italian) Umbria paper
17” x 12”
by Kelly Borsheim, after P.P. Prud’hon

If you would like to see some of my current original drawings, please visit this link:
Luce dall'oscurità

October is National Arts and Humanities Month

Bronze Sculpture Florence Italy

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

Something amazing has happened in Florence, Italy, and I am surprised at how few of my friends there, knowing that I am a sculptor, have commented to me about it. So, I asked several of them about it. Most seemed a bit reluctant to give me their impressions, although one of my Florentine friends told me that, “Sono due fiumi senza testa e contemporaneamente con molte teste, la cosa però è temporanea e se ne andrà presto” which translates to: “They are two rivers without a head, but simultaneously with many heads. But it is temporarily here and will go away soon.” I tried to get more information from him, but he was more interested in telling me about his latest girl troubles.

What others have pointed out, though, is that historic and rather traditional Florence has for the first time in about 500 years exhibited a monumental work of art in Piazza della Signoria - and it is the work created in our time AND by a non-Italian artist!

59-year old American sculptor Greg Wyatt has his contemporary bronze sculpture titled “Two Rivers” on exhibit near the Palazzo Vecchio, behind the “Biancone” (‘the big white one’, how many fiorentini refer to the stone statue of Neptune).


According to the story in Bloomberg.com, the city of Florence commissioned this work with a $350,000 grant and the usual political red tape. The artist, a native New Yorker, used Tuscany’s Arno River and New York’s Hudson River as inspiration to symbolize the creative energies shared by the people in these places.

Bloomberg stated that the bronze is 18-feet tall, while The Florentine said 16-feet. “Two Rivers” is a reported 22,000 pounds of a “crusty bronze,” which no doubt was a nod to the great sculptor Giambologna. I would have loved to have been in Florence to witness her installation as she was transported across the Arno and lifted into place with two cranes. And I was amused by architect Pierpaolo Rapana’s observation that if the foundation of Piazza della Signoria can handle Mussolini’s tanks without buckling, then this bronze sculpture should pose no problem.
----

When Dayna Peterson Mason was planning her trip to Florence, she was given my name by a model that I know. Dayna is an Associate Professor of Art in Riverside, California, and I helped connect her with Italian models for her art pursuits in Florence. Since she is there now, I asked Dayna if she would do me a favor and take some images of Greg Wyatt’s bronze in the piazza for me to post here.

She mentioned how difficult it was to get good images with the diffused light outside that day. In general, Florence can be difficult to photograph because the sun does not see all or for very long. Still, these images can give you an idea of what the “Two Rivers” bronze looks like. For my taste, I like some of the parts better than the whole. But I leave you to decide for yourself. Thank you, Dayna, for sharing this with us!

According to the artist’s site, “The Two Rivers” exhibition will be at the Palazzo Vecchio's Sala d'Armi until November 24, 2009.



&&&&&&&&

Like most things, the concept of yin yang is alive and well in Florence. Some of her locals have told me (not unlike my long-time friend Jamshid had told me about Iran) that there seems to be a constant struggle between maintaining the culture’s great heritage, yet wanting to move into the future.

Now, Florence makes another change, and again, not without some trepidation and controversy. The Florentine just announced that Piazza Duomo is going pedestrian! So, if you have visited the Renaissance City and been annoyed by buses, taxis, or even electric cars in the city’s center, your time has come.

I also understand that the beautiful, historical church of Orsan Michele is open on Mondays now. Free, too. This is great news since too many times that I have tried to go in, she was closed. I love this place, not far from where the madonnari do their street paintings. If you get the chance, go check out this remodelled mercato.

Thanks to Fabio for helping me with my Italian spelling (but no, he is not the friend with the girl troubles!)

October is National Arts and Humanities Month

If you find this blog interesting, please pass it on to a friend. Thank you!

If you like what you read, enjoy the photos, and would like to help support this blog(ger) / artist, click here . . .

Trip Highlights

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

Ten days on the road. It was a whirlwind trip, fitting visits into short time frames with family and old friends that I had not seen in years. I also met many new friends. Here are some of the highlights since I last wrote:

1) This is an image of the oil painting I created for Amber and Alex Babcock’s wedding portrait. My sister Amber’s favorite artist is Alphonse Mucha, so I painted an 18” x 24” composition in a style similar to Mucha’s. They exhibited the portrait during their wedding reception this month. I hope that you enjoy it as much as they did.



2) In the midst of the wedding festivities, I was elated to receive an e-mail that my pastel painting ”Il Mimo - Firenze, Italia” became a finalist an the online competition for paintings. See all of the FineArtViews Painting Competition Winners (September 2009)

3) After Florida, I went to North Carolina and was totally charmed by my new friends in Raleigh. The Carolina Mixed Media Art Guild and long-time Internet friend and artist Jeanne Rhea invited me to speak about my life as a madonnari (Italian street painter) and do they all know how to make an artist feel welcome! I toured the gallery at Artspace, enjoying a variety of styles and media, and even recognizing one artist, Linda Ruth Dickinson, whose paintings I had first seen from my visit to a gallery in Houston, Texas, a couple of years ago. Here is an image taken with the audience that remained after my talk for a bit of mingling and munching. After my presentation, Penny (the tall woman in the center) gave me a lovely gift bag full of exotic chocolates. How yummy is that?




4) Jeanne and her husband Vince offered their home for the night, which was great. I want to share images of her studio with you. Seriously, this is THE most organized studio I have ever seen. No way that this was a “clean up for guests” kind of organized. I am still impressed. Jeanne said that she works with too many materials to NOT be organized. I must admit that I was a bit envious of her antique drawers. I have been hoping to find something like this for my Italian drawing papers. This would be much safer and cleaner than keeping the papers on the futon in my office!

Another image here depicts Jeanne while she showed me some test samples of her latest experiments with pigments. Visit her Web site or blog for updates - Jeanne is always exploring. The colors in her artworks are so much richer than anything you will see in photographs. Enjoy. Next time, I report on Florence, Italy . . .

October is National Arts and Humanities Month

AIDS Fundraiser Teaching Art

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

Classically trained painter Graydon Parrish recently contacted me. We “met” on Facebook. Graydon moved to Austin, Texas, about a year ago and has already gotten quite active in the community here. He asked if I would assist him (and others) in helping to raise money for AIDS Services of Austin, via an event hosted by The Octopus Club. This organization knows how to throw a party: I worked with them some years ago in the annual ArtErotica event.

The Octo Tea Dance XIV happens on October 11th from 3 – 9 p.m. From Graydon: At the event, we are offering several experiences, which include, so far, music and cooking lessons. The theme this year is the five senses.

Graydon Parrish has volunteered painting lessons, for the sense of vision. I am donating four hours of sculpting lessons, for touch. (The winning bidder will learn how to sculpt hands using plaster life castings as models. We will work in the sculpture studio of Beth Schoen in Austin at a time good for all of us.)

The auction will happen at the event, and perhaps even beforehand. At this writing, I am not sure of the details, but Graydon said that our auction offerings will be online on Wednesday.

I urge you to attend the event, bid on items that appeal to you, and enjoy helping a great cause. As I wrote years ago when I donated to two AIDS fundraising events,

“Why AIDS? AIDS disturbs me because of the way it is transmitted. As social creatures, we need to touch each other. Ostracism is a powerful punishment. AIDS is transmitted via the most personal ways we touch one another, whether it be sexually or through the acts of giving birth and sharing blood. To stop it, we need to deny ourselves in some ways. The very actions that link us to each other are what this disease thrives on.”

Details:
Octo Tea Dance XIV
October 11, 2009
3:00 pm to 9:00 pm
The Long Center for the Performing Arts, Austin, Texas
DJ Roland Belmares and DJ Seth Cooper
Tickets $45 presale, $60 door (purchase now)

A Great Party – A GREATER CAUSE!

Graydon Parrish wrote this up for my auction donation:

Experience the Five Senses: Touch

The sculptor’s prerogatives are to look, to think and to remake the world, sensitively rejoining, by hand and fingers, clay, plaster and marble. For many, sculpture has been the standard to which other arts should aspire. It is, after all, a metaphor for Creation itself, and as such it reveals the fullness and breadth of nature, magically changing its appearance from day to night, dawn to dusk. And touch is at the center of this creative process.

So it is with great pleasure that the Octopus Club of Austin is able to offer an experience of touch, an odyssey into the world of the sculptor, with Kelly Borsheim. From Texas to Florence, [Italy] Kelly has explored the streets, the studios and the museums to refine her art and outlook. Her inspiration is the human body, which to her reveals the essential tenets of life, from its struggles to desires. Her art is one of beauty, introspection and contemplation.

This experience will consist of four hours of private lessons, covering some of the basics of sculpture. It is also one not to be missed, and the Octopus club is grateful to Kelly Borsheim to offer such world-class instruction to help save lives.

Kelly Borsheim’s art is collected widely, throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Italy, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, and New Zealand. She splits her time between Florence, Italy, and her studio in central Texas.

Value $ 400.00

Please note that the Octopus Club will assist with the coordination of lessons between the high bidder and the artist.

Full Monty Life Drawing

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

Since I have been back in central Texas, I have been trying to attend at least one of the many life drawing sessions in Austin. The Austin Full Monty session is held each Sunday evening, hosted by artist Leslie Pierce and sponsored by AVAA (Austin Visual Arts Association). As you can probably guess, Leslie hires only male models.

Earlier in the day, there is a session that previously offered life drawing with alternating male and female models, but for the last several years, those hosts have drifted towards only the female model. So, as it turns out, if I can tear myself away from my studio on Sundays, I can be sure to draw a model from each sex.

The Austin Full Monty starts off with about ten 1-minute gesture poses. These brief, usually more dynamic poses help the artist to loosen up and shift the mind to the spatially thinking right side of the brain. They also give us artists the opportunity to try to record action. Instead of focusing on detail, we try to capture the essence of a gesture.

The following are not the best images I have ever taken of my art and I tried to increase the contrast to help you see the pencil or charcoal marks on the paper.


Sometimes I see a gesture that I would like to turn into a more formal work of art. One of my better known works is “Ten”. This bronze bas-relief sculpture was inspired by a one-minute gesture sketch that I had done eight years before and just could not forget. Click on the sculpture’s name if you would like to see this sketch.

After the quick gestures, we move into several 15-minute poses and then try for two 30-minute poses.


Sometimes I try to create a perfect gesture with flow lines and an energy that moves me. Other times I simply focus on one body part, such as the foot. In the last image of the torso with the stretched out arms, I was most attracted to the triangles and the light and dark shapes within.

Even if I never use these images to create a painting or sculpture, I still could not imagine NOT drawing from life.

Check out the Austin Full Monty Life Drawing Sessions.