25 YEARS! Tango, Venice, Duet, and ReSealing the Girls
In this issue of Borsheim Art News (February 14, 2026):
* Beauty in Art ("La Vita è Bella")
* 25 YEARS!
* Fusion Art Competition Finalist: Black & White theme (charcoal drawing)
* Duet: Charcoal Drawing Man and Owl soaring together
* Tango: sexy stone carving by Vasily Fedorouk
* Maintenance on my stone girls: Stargazer and Gymnast
* What is new on BorsheimArts YouTube channel
* Lay-Away Plan reminder
* Luminosity: Contemporary Painting
Dear Art Lover,
It is difficult not to talk about the elephant (and donkey) in the room because what is happening now (and for many years if we are honest) in the US affects so many people, but this is an art newsletter and it needs to stay so.
That said, January 27th was the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. I was care-taking a friend during that time and thus, watched several films about the horrors of the Auschwitz and other camps. (I have no television in my home, by choice.)
The Italian film "La Vita è Bella" (Life is Beautiful) tells the story of a Jewish librarian Guido (played by the beloved Roberto Benigni, who also directed the film) who tries to shield his very young son from the horrors of being brought to a Nazi concentration camp.
The father uses his imagination and a sense of play to entertain his son, as well as hide and protect him as much as possible from attracting attention from the wrong adults. He also finds small and creative ways to communicate something beautiful to his wife, who is housed in another building nearby even though she never sees them while in the camp.
The director's intention was not to soften the Holocaust (although he did for the telling of a story here), but to relate something positive in the human spirit. To give hope during the darkest of times. The negative criticism was mostly that this film intended to show that "human ingenuity and love can be triumphant" and thus diminished the fact that the real victims could not be saved by either quality.
I found this quote from Benigni: "To laugh and to cry comes from the same point of the soul, no? I'm a storyteller: the crux of the matter is to reach beauty, poetry; it doesn't matter if that is comedy or tragedy. They're the same if you reach the beauty." Perhaps this was his response to criticism after the film's release for using that particular subject matter to film a "comedy."
Italians have certainly not forgotten the horrors of war and even confusion about sides and the directions of leaders. But there are many REAL stories of how artwork was stolen by enemies and those simply looking for opportunities to take.
However, it amazes me that people anticipating bombs and raids spent their short amount of preparation time to remove as much artwork as possible from city sites. They often transported them into hiding up in the many hills and mountains in Italy. Other works, such as Michelangelo's famous marble Davide, had a hastily constructed bullet-shaped wall of brick built around them. The Italians did the same for other sculpture and frescoes that could not be moved easily, if at all.
And this train of thought also reminded me of my college days. I am from a military family, and had lamented to an enlisted friend of my father's, who is like an uncle to me, about how I felt destroyed to hear about or see violence. He said to me, "It is precisely people like you that must be protected by people like me."
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25 YEARS!
My art anniversary passed on January 11th. 2026 marks TWENTY FIVE years of making art full-time. This year I noted the day, but January flew by with care-taking and a funeral (I have attended three in less than three months). So, our lives are full of yin and yang and now I am home for a bit and working on paintings. It seems that this winter insists on raining most of the time. I find rain romantic, but exaggeration taxes the soul.
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Finalist in Art Competition:
Not having been home much, I entered this online Black and White art competition on Fusion Art on the last possible day (oops)... but my work made the list of finalists!
My charcoal drawing is titled "Fog Over Ponte Canal Venezia" (Venice Italy) and detail images can be seen on my site:
https://borsheimarts.com/products/fog-over-ponte-canal-venezia-venice-Italy
Check out all the winning artworks here:
https://www.fusionartps.com/black-white-art-exhibition-february-2026/
Exhibit ends 4 March 2026.
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Duet : Charcoal Drawing of Man and Owl Soaring Together
Many years ago, I worked with several male models. I have wanted to create a series of men with wild animals. It seems that humankind is often at odds with the Natural world and it is a topic that would be endless to explore. For a variety of reasons, I have not realized many of my sketched ideas. I hope to change that in the near future.
That said, care-taking in someone else's home recently meant that I was unable to work on my ongoing projects. Thus, I have been catching up on the "office" end of being self-employed and discovered some artworks I somehow managed to FORGET to put on my site to offer my babies to collectors.
"Duet" is a charcoal drawing I did in April 2020, during COVID. It may win the award for the strangest inspiration for any of my artworks. It started off after I was thumbing through a catalog for IKEA! In the drawing below, you will see how the dramatic striped "rays" resulted in this dynamic pairing of male dancer and snowy owl. Both are flying and the bird's wings parallel the angle of the man's limbs.
In this photo below, I am using a large piece of paper to work out the design. You may note the catalog page pasted up on the upper left of my drawing board.
To discover the finished charcoal drawing "Duet," visit:
https://borsheimarts.com/products/duet-man-and-owl-original-charcoal-drawing
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Tango ~ Stone Sculpture by Vasily Fedorouk
This newsletter ended up being published on Valentine's Day, so how could I not include this sassy sculpture that features a woman nibbling on the ear of a man with whom she is dancing the TANGO!
To see more of this gorgeous stone carving, go here:
https://borsheimarts.com/products/vasily-fedorouk-tango-romantic-couple-sculpture
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Outdoor Sculpture Maintenance (cleaning Gymnast and Stargazer)
Besides helping my mom celebrate 80 years with all of her kids and many of her grandkids in Florida this December, I DID get some work done!
On outdoor sculpture, I recommend to maintain the good condition of your artworks that live in all sorts of weather by giving them a good bath (usually a soft cloth and clean water is enough; a mild soap if necessary) and then to re-seal the stone (or bronze).
Once per year is usually sufficient, but that also depends on variables, such as is the artwork under some sort of cover, or (hopefully not) under trees (higher maintenance); out in serious sun a lot, and stuff like that.
Two of my girls Gymnast and Stargazer are on exhibit in Central Florida and I was able to do the maintenance myself this visit. It does not take a lot of time, although I allowed the sculptures to become thoroughly dry after their baths before adding the first coat of marble sealer. And then I came back the next day to add a second coat of the sealer.
I feel like a proud mamma when I state that these girls are beautiful. I hope you agree.
[photo credit: Amber Babcock, above and below]
Here are images of them with detail shots, as well as in-situ photos. Contact me if you can envision one or both of them in your home or work place.
Stargazer:
https://borsheimarts.com/products/stargazer-stone-sculpture-marble-statue
Gymnast:
https://borsheimarts.com/products/gymnast-pike-position-sculpture
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What is new on BorsheimArts YouTube channel
I have a new painting that just this morning I took to my framer. Yellow Tulips (unless I come up with a more exciting title). Here is the process video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfJraIAfBx0
Another flower (poppy) painting (in pastel) ... still needs finishing, but the process is opposite of the tulips approach:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJFsaatA7hM
I have almost 300 videos of various lengths if you ever want to chill and step into the life of a 25-year full-time artist ! [feels great to say such a thing, I must say!]
Go here:
https://www.youtube.com/@BorsheimArts
You may even choose by general subjects under "Playlists."
https://www.youtube.com/@BorsheimArts/playlists
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Lay-Away Plan reminder:
I want you to enjoy living with art, especially things that I create. To that end, I have always offered a great Lay-Away Plan. YOU determine the amount you want to pay each month (how can I know what works best for you?) and you set the date that makes your life easier to pay monthly. No interest charges.
I hope your Valentine's Day is cozy and finds you appreciating someone or something beautiful in your life.
Cheers to art!
Kelly
Luminosity, diptych (sold separately or together) with artist Kelly Borsheim
Photo credit : Paul Edwards