Dear Art Lover,
The latest Borsheim Art Newsletter about the Museo Stefano Bardini and other cool art happenings and places has been published online on my site. I hope you enjoy the many images.
Thank you for your interest!
Welcome! See Italy (and more) through the eyes of an artist: American sculptor and painter Kelly Borsheim creates her life and art in Italy and shares her adventures in travel and art with you. Come on along, please and Visit her fine art work online at: www.BorsheimArts.com
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Palazzo Borghese Florence, Italy
Cari Amici (Dear Friends),
Years ago, an Italian friend took me up into the Palazzo Borghese on Via Ghibellina in Florence, Italy. I had only peeked into the entryway before, but he took me upstairs beyond the curtain. Inside, it is incredible!
Recently, I went to visit again. It was closed off a bit, but I asked a man there if I could see the sculptures. He started to tell me to go to the hotel next door, but I continued my description, in my still wanting Italian, until the light bulb went off in his head about what I wanted to see.
Back in 2007, I saw the outside of the stained glass window of the Palazzo Borghese, only when I shared those images with you, I did not know what was on the other side of the glass. So, I hope you enjoy the different perspectives on this window.
Also, there was an art exhibit going on by a female artist named Vesna Pavan. Her paintings of female figures are dynamic and fun. I include one shot here of one of my favorites. Enjoy! Her exhibit concludes on 24 September, so you still have time to come see her work in the beautiful Palazzo Borghese.
Years ago, an Italian friend took me up into the Palazzo Borghese on Via Ghibellina in Florence, Italy. I had only peeked into the entryway before, but he took me upstairs beyond the curtain. Inside, it is incredible!
Recently, I went to visit again. It was closed off a bit, but I asked a man there if I could see the sculptures. He started to tell me to go to the hotel next door, but I continued my description, in my still wanting Italian, until the light bulb went off in his head about what I wanted to see.
Back in 2007, I saw the outside of the stained glass window of the Palazzo Borghese, only when I shared those images with you, I did not know what was on the other side of the glass. So, I hope you enjoy the different perspectives on this window.
Also, there was an art exhibit going on by a female artist named Vesna Pavan. Her paintings of female figures are dynamic and fun. I include one shot here of one of my favorites. Enjoy! Her exhibit concludes on 24 September, so you still have time to come see her work in the beautiful Palazzo Borghese.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Gemito Sculpture Bargello Museum Florence, Italy
Cari Amici (Dear Friends),
I have written a couple of times before about the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, especially the restoration of Donatello’s bronze “David.” It is the national sculpture museum and a favorite of mine in Florence, Italy. Formally a prison in which executions took place, its courtyard and three levels of rooms are filled with art and artifacts. She holds not only bronze and stone sculpture by greats such as Michelangelo, Donatello, and Giambologna, but also medallions, terra-cotta by Della Robbia, tapestries, musical instruments, and even Persian bowls and armor.
I have revisited the Bargello twice since I returned in April. And I was delighted that one of my favorite sculptures has been put back in place after restoration (and the restoration appears to have been a good one). In all honestly, I rarely like sculptures, especially bronze, of children: At least the ones that I have seen in the United States. They seem kitsch to me and too contrived, like Norman Rockwell had a sweetness overdose or something. (I like the art of Norman Rockwell, but one could argue, he is borderline on the “too much charm” edge.)
Maybe you will feel that way about my favorite here Il Pescatore (The Fisher Boy) by Vincenzo Gemito from 1874-1876. But I love the natural gesture of this bronze figure sculpture. I like that the patina is not what my foundry calls “cowboy brown” or worse – shiny. I love the way the boy’s toes are gripping the mound he is squatting on. I can remember this feeling of slowly sliding down the side of the muddy river bank, while trying not to.
I love how the fingers of the boy’s left hand radiate out from the palm, while he uses his right hand to get a better grip on the slippery fish. I adore his exaggerated downcast eyelashes that catch the light enough to showoff the boy’s concentrated face. The lips? I cannot decide if they are exhaling with the gripping effort of his hands or if he is inhaling with the thought of “I gotcha!”
Anyway, I include many photos here, unable to edit apparently. Such is my infatuation with this sculpture of a child. But I should do well to let you decide for yourself.
On a side note: My blog was just listed in the TOP 10 blog posts in Italy this week: http://italytutto.com/2010/05/02/top-10-posts-from-the-bloggers-in-italy-2-may-10/
I have written a couple of times before about the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, especially the restoration of Donatello’s bronze “David.” It is the national sculpture museum and a favorite of mine in Florence, Italy. Formally a prison in which executions took place, its courtyard and three levels of rooms are filled with art and artifacts. She holds not only bronze and stone sculpture by greats such as Michelangelo, Donatello, and Giambologna, but also medallions, terra-cotta by Della Robbia, tapestries, musical instruments, and even Persian bowls and armor.
I have revisited the Bargello twice since I returned in April. And I was delighted that one of my favorite sculptures has been put back in place after restoration (and the restoration appears to have been a good one). In all honestly, I rarely like sculptures, especially bronze, of children: At least the ones that I have seen in the United States. They seem kitsch to me and too contrived, like Norman Rockwell had a sweetness overdose or something. (I like the art of Norman Rockwell, but one could argue, he is borderline on the “too much charm” edge.)
Maybe you will feel that way about my favorite here Il Pescatore (The Fisher Boy) by Vincenzo Gemito from 1874-1876. But I love the natural gesture of this bronze figure sculpture. I like that the patina is not what my foundry calls “cowboy brown” or worse – shiny. I love the way the boy’s toes are gripping the mound he is squatting on. I can remember this feeling of slowly sliding down the side of the muddy river bank, while trying not to.
I love how the fingers of the boy’s left hand radiate out from the palm, while he uses his right hand to get a better grip on the slippery fish. I adore his exaggerated downcast eyelashes that catch the light enough to showoff the boy’s concentrated face. The lips? I cannot decide if they are exhaling with the gripping effort of his hands or if he is inhaling with the thought of “I gotcha!”
Anyway, I include many photos here, unable to edit apparently. Such is my infatuation with this sculpture of a child. But I should do well to let you decide for yourself.
On a side note: My blog was just listed in the TOP 10 blog posts in Italy this week: http://italytutto.com/2010/05/02/top-10-posts-from-the-bloggers-in-italy-2-may-10/
Friday, April 30, 2010
Pastel Streetpainting in Florence, Italy
Cari Amici (Dear Friends),
Yesterday was a fun day in streetpainting here in Florence, Italy. I saw some old friends, met some people that I only knew from my Web site and Facebook, had a little party, and even got some pastel painting done in the street.
I have been given Thursdays with my colleague Johnny from Ireland. I drew with him last year, as well, and he is fun to work with. However, he draws with our friend Kumiko on Wednesdays and asked if I minded picking up where they left off the day before. Johnny models in the mornings (when I arrive to work) and later on Thursday evenings, he attends life-drawing sessions. I should, too, but since I only am permitted to draw one day as one of the madonnari fiorentini, I will draw in the studio another day.
Allora, we drew Michelangelo’s “La Sacra Familia” otherwise known as “Tondi Doni” -- all in pastels directly on the street. I was amused that a woman working as a badante (assisting people needing special health care in their homes) and living in Firenze for the past two years (but from the country of Georgia) stopped to ask me if I was Russian. I get this guess only second to my being French. It always amuses me and makes me want more to visit Russia.
Last year I wrote about some of my street performing friends, including Mimito Sorrydista He stopped by to say hello and I got to see him as a blonde this time ! I hope you enjoy these images.
This next image was of me with a high school class visiting Florence from Belgium. This was their last day in the Renaissance City. They stayed with me for at least 20 minutes (good for street painting visitors) and later several of the boys returned just before getting on the train home. I asked them that after a week, what was their favorite part of Florence and one boy (white T, standing) said enthusiastically, "You!"
I think he has a future in politics or maybe as a lady-killer. :-)
----
If you would enjoy getting away from your normal routine and working with pastels, won’t you please consider this art workshop I am teaching in an amazing location on the Big Island of Hawai’I. We will work on-site, and even with a model for part of the workshop. This happens in early September and is hosted by Hawaiian Art Journey and the Kona Village Resort. They will take care of all of your concerns so that you may relax and focus on making your own art.
Registration is refundable up to 30 days before the workshop starts and we need to get commitments from art lovers early so that you all have time to make your travel plans. (You may also combine this art event as a romantic getaway – guests are allowed to have non-workshop attendees accompany them.) Check out the details below.
Pastels in Paradise – Art Workshop with Kelly Borsheim
Hawaiian Art Journey
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Liberation Day Italy
Cari Amici (Dear Friends),
Sunday, April 25th was a national holiday in Italy, best known as the Festa della Liberazione, or Liberation Day. They celebrate the day in 1945 in which the Allied troops finally liberated Italy from the fascists. It is also a date in which fallen soldiers are remembered and honored. There are a few partigiani (veterans) left from this time and on this day, I helped my local friends celebrate them.
Piazza G. Poggi near the Torre San Niccolò was filled with tables and chairs and my friends and I enjoyed a sit-down dinner in the sun, with unlimited wine and we even made new friends as others joined our table. We wrapped up our long lunch with cantuccini from Prato and vin santo (those lovely crunchy cookies dipped in a sweet liqueur – my favorite!)
After lunch, but before the dolci (dessert), there was a program to honor the vets and one of the attending partigiano made an impassioned speech, that I believe included hoping that Silvio Berlusconi could be defeated. The Italian President is not particularly popular in these parts, and no one I know can fathom how he keeps getting re-elected (other than that he owns all of the media companies.) But, in truth, maybe I was not paying attention closely to the language and the vet was just wishing the president good judgment or something.
Lots of singing followed with folks afterwards forming a small parade to walk uphill to Piazzale Michelangelo to see the irises and other flowers. My party and I moved instead down Via San Niccolò for a coffee before heading down to the Bargello Sculpture Museum and just taking a giro around town. Later that evening, we enjoyed a series of concerts in Piazza Santo Spirito.
For me, this was the first consistently warm day and it was lovely to be out in it with the celebrations going on. A special day for me, too, despite the fact that I did not get any art accomplished. So, now I leave you with images so that I may get to the work at hand. If you would like to see more, check out my Facebook Photo Albums. Enjoy. PACE! (Peace).
Liberation Day explained on Italylogue.com
Sunday, April 25th was a national holiday in Italy, best known as the Festa della Liberazione, or Liberation Day. They celebrate the day in 1945 in which the Allied troops finally liberated Italy from the fascists. It is also a date in which fallen soldiers are remembered and honored. There are a few partigiani (veterans) left from this time and on this day, I helped my local friends celebrate them.
Piazza G. Poggi near the Torre San Niccolò was filled with tables and chairs and my friends and I enjoyed a sit-down dinner in the sun, with unlimited wine and we even made new friends as others joined our table. We wrapped up our long lunch with cantuccini from Prato and vin santo (those lovely crunchy cookies dipped in a sweet liqueur – my favorite!)
After lunch, but before the dolci (dessert), there was a program to honor the vets and one of the attending partigiano made an impassioned speech, that I believe included hoping that Silvio Berlusconi could be defeated. The Italian President is not particularly popular in these parts, and no one I know can fathom how he keeps getting re-elected (other than that he owns all of the media companies.) But, in truth, maybe I was not paying attention closely to the language and the vet was just wishing the president good judgment or something.
Lots of singing followed with folks afterwards forming a small parade to walk uphill to Piazzale Michelangelo to see the irises and other flowers. My party and I moved instead down Via San Niccolò for a coffee before heading down to the Bargello Sculpture Museum and just taking a giro around town. Later that evening, we enjoyed a series of concerts in Piazza Santo Spirito.
For me, this was the first consistently warm day and it was lovely to be out in it with the celebrations going on. A special day for me, too, despite the fact that I did not get any art accomplished. So, now I leave you with images so that I may get to the work at hand. If you would like to see more, check out my Facebook Photo Albums. Enjoy. PACE! (Peace).
Liberation Day explained on Italylogue.com
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Ceiling of Uffizi Museum
Cari Amici (Dear Friends),
Some years ago one of my local friends told me that you could always spot the tourists in Florence, Italy, because they are always looking up. I say “Peccato!” (It is a sin!) But it must be the same for many people the world over: when you live in a place, sometimes you do not see it. I look up, down, and all-around. There are treasures everywhere.
Today I share something with you about il soffitto della Galleria degli Uffizi (the ceiling in the Uffizi Museum/Art Gallery). This first image is of only one room in the museum. It looks like many of the really fancy interiors in Europe, to me. I only include it here to show you that not all the ceilings in the Uffizi in are the same style.
The Uffizi Gallery is laid out in a square-shaped U. The latter leg has frescoes more in the style of realistic, large figures and I have not shown these here. But in the first leg you will see there is a lighter feel, since the graphics are thin, delicate, fanciful, and permit much of the white background to be seen. I love the imagination in these patterns – people morphing into animals and architecture.
So, I hope you like those. This next is a ceiling painting to look as if birds and plants are covering a glass lid. I do not know how old this is, but I do know that contemporary artists have used this idea time and time again. Perhaps they were inspired by the Uffizi?
For these last two images, how could I not show you some sculpture. And THE sculpture that inspired Michelangelo so much: Laocoön This marble in the Uffizi is a copy of the original one in Vatican City. That was discovered during Michelangelo’s lifetime and one can make an easy connection between the two.
I hope that you enjoy these images – I was not supposed to take any of them. Sneaky artist! But without flash, I fail to see the damage I have done, especially when my intention is the entice you to see some of these beauties yourself. So, chin up!
Official site for the Uffizi Gallery (click on the “eng” link in the upper left corner to read the site in English)
Some years ago one of my local friends told me that you could always spot the tourists in Florence, Italy, because they are always looking up. I say “Peccato!” (It is a sin!) But it must be the same for many people the world over: when you live in a place, sometimes you do not see it. I look up, down, and all-around. There are treasures everywhere.
Today I share something with you about il soffitto della Galleria degli Uffizi (the ceiling in the Uffizi Museum/Art Gallery). This first image is of only one room in the museum. It looks like many of the really fancy interiors in Europe, to me. I only include it here to show you that not all the ceilings in the Uffizi in are the same style.
The Uffizi Gallery is laid out in a square-shaped U. The latter leg has frescoes more in the style of realistic, large figures and I have not shown these here. But in the first leg you will see there is a lighter feel, since the graphics are thin, delicate, fanciful, and permit much of the white background to be seen. I love the imagination in these patterns – people morphing into animals and architecture.
So, I hope you like those. This next is a ceiling painting to look as if birds and plants are covering a glass lid. I do not know how old this is, but I do know that contemporary artists have used this idea time and time again. Perhaps they were inspired by the Uffizi?
For these last two images, how could I not show you some sculpture. And THE sculpture that inspired Michelangelo so much: Laocoön This marble in the Uffizi is a copy of the original one in Vatican City. That was discovered during Michelangelo’s lifetime and one can make an easy connection between the two.
I hope that you enjoy these images – I was not supposed to take any of them. Sneaky artist! But without flash, I fail to see the damage I have done, especially when my intention is the entice you to see some of these beauties yourself. So, chin up!
Official site for the Uffizi Gallery (click on the “eng” link in the upper left corner to read the site in English)
Monday, April 19, 2010
Streetpainting Florence Italy
Cari Amici (Dear Friends),
So, I last Friday I did my first stint this trip as a street painter on Via Calimala in Florence, Italy. On this day, I worked with one of the best street artists that I have ever met: Tomoteru Saito (who we all call simply “Tomo”). He is a gentle soul and you can see this in his lovely style of creating art.
This first image came from the camera of a Canadian artist who recently finished his art history studies here in Florence. His name is Antoine Mountain. We met the day before while I was crossing the (bridge) Ponte Santa Trinita. I saw a cute couple trying to take an image of themselves with famous Ponte Vecchio in the background and asked if I could take the photo for them. Then I heard a request from the man (Antoine) sitting on the bridge nearby, “Would you mind taking one of me, too, please?” Afterwards he decided to take a shot of me and I invited him to come over and check out the street painting the next day. He gave me permission to share this image of us that a tourist took while I was working.
Shortly after Antoine left, Tomo and I got rained out a little. Here is Tomo posing with our “good fortune.” I am not sure what the deal was, but with the rain came the cars and vans! This is strange to have happen around lunchtime. There is very restricted traffic in centro and I have yet to comprehend if the rain made the rules somehow obsolete. And yes, one of my money baskets became a taxi casualty.
One bright thing happened as the rain was slowing down: I met one of my blog readers! He happened to be in town and wondered if he would be able to find me street painting. So, this was quite fun and we got to have a decent conversation until the street became dry enough for me to return to work. Allora, Tomo and I finished well enough and we left just before midnight. Oh, and the original artist is William Adolphe Bouguereau.
So, I last Friday I did my first stint this trip as a street painter on Via Calimala in Florence, Italy. On this day, I worked with one of the best street artists that I have ever met: Tomoteru Saito (who we all call simply “Tomo”). He is a gentle soul and you can see this in his lovely style of creating art.
This first image came from the camera of a Canadian artist who recently finished his art history studies here in Florence. His name is Antoine Mountain. We met the day before while I was crossing the (bridge) Ponte Santa Trinita. I saw a cute couple trying to take an image of themselves with famous Ponte Vecchio in the background and asked if I could take the photo for them. Then I heard a request from the man (Antoine) sitting on the bridge nearby, “Would you mind taking one of me, too, please?” Afterwards he decided to take a shot of me and I invited him to come over and check out the street painting the next day. He gave me permission to share this image of us that a tourist took while I was working.
Shortly after Antoine left, Tomo and I got rained out a little. Here is Tomo posing with our “good fortune.” I am not sure what the deal was, but with the rain came the cars and vans! This is strange to have happen around lunchtime. There is very restricted traffic in centro and I have yet to comprehend if the rain made the rules somehow obsolete. And yes, one of my money baskets became a taxi casualty.
One bright thing happened as the rain was slowing down: I met one of my blog readers! He happened to be in town and wondered if he would be able to find me street painting. So, this was quite fun and we got to have a decent conversation until the street became dry enough for me to return to work. Allora, Tomo and I finished well enough and we left just before midnight. Oh, and the original artist is William Adolphe Bouguereau.
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