Signs from Above ~ Borsheim Art News
In this issue of Borsheim Art News (August 18, 2026):
** Signs from Above
** The Model
** Nude Sketches and Paintings Rediscovered
** Norfolk, Virginia (US): Exhibition starts 2 September
** Masterclass Registration Link: 12 September
** Family and a New Book
** Gemini
Dear Art Lover,
Curiosity has been one of my favorite qualities in a person or any living thing. You have seen that over the last few years, perhaps more seriously during COVID-19 and also again after my accident in 2023 July (three years!!!!) I have worked more with pastels and even acrylic paints to explore new-to-me visual experiences in color.
But more and more, I find my mind wandering back to my origins, the human figure, and monochrome. I also want to work towards more depth in my 2-d works and perhaps fewer works, but more time given to each one. After this trip to North Carolina, Virginia, and Connecticut, I will also start up again with marble carving. I still want to do it all, lol.
For now, I would like you to meet my latest finished painting of a belly dancer named Julie in Austin, Texas. I worked with her many years ago (maybe 2009?), starting this painting with the concept of her head and limbs extending beyond darkness. I wanted no details in the drapery over her body and the background... again, trying new things. However, this painting was set aside for far too many years waiting for me to turn my attention her way.
The ideas of how to put dragonflies into a painting had me digging out this canvas to finish. Process is infinitely intriguing. And adding a wee bit of mathematics into the equation is fun, too.
Here is Signs from Above featuring the lovely Julie:
Signs from Above, 27 x 23 inches, oil on linen
For more views and information, click:
https://borsheimarts.com/collections/oil-paintings/products/signs-from-above-woman-with-dragonflies-painting
And if you would enjoy some "behind the scenes" talk with comments on my work-in-progress, check out these videos about this painting of Julie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJZcyqA_0R0&t=4s
and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6Yc522zJ4g
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The Model
More than a decade ago, I earned a collector who became fascinated with my drawings, paintings, and sculpture that I created during live model sessions. He did buy a bronze sculpture of mine, but generally, he paid me for my live model sketches with instructions that he wanted me to gift the art to the model herself.
You may read about that (with image) here: https://artbyborsheim.blogspot.com/2008/01/anonymous-patron-of-arts.html
He wanted me to create the following painting, "The Model, fascinated by the moment of the disrobing. However, at some point, he started to creep me out and I ended the correspondence (I have never met him). However, since arriving to Norfolk this summer, I have been going through some of my older artworks that I need to photograph and put online for sale. So, here she is in all of her glory! However, I did not have time before publishing to get the best light for photographs.
https://borsheimarts.com/products/the-model-female-figure-framed-oil-painting
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Nude Sketches and Paintings Rediscovered
There is no better training for an artist than painting live. But not just for training; it is a good way to work even for a veteran artist. Good art models are a gift to artists the world over, and for centuries. I was blessed that Austin, Texas, offered life drawing, painting, or even sculpting sessions (that I once hosted) almost every day of the week in some location in the city. Artists gathered in a room and shared the model expenses, as well as indirectly, the costs for props, lighting, etc.
I remember a fellow artist Mary in the Wednesday night session said to me back in the early 2000s, "Kelly, I would know your work anywhere around Austin without even seeing your name." At the time, I was just starting to exhibit even while still trying to acquire skills (never stop learning!), and had not thought yet of the concept of voice.
But, Mary's words made me realize that we each show our voices even at the beginning stages of creating. I had been doing a lot of body crops, but mostly because, at times, I felt overwhelmed at painting an entire figure in a very short pose! I thought I was being practical, but each choice I made showed my vision of composition (and love of triangles).
Because I am finally visiting Norfolk without lots of family or an event, I have quality time to finish many artworks, as well as revisit older pieces. I have put up and will continue posting over time some of my earlier paintings from live models. Check these out:
The entire Nude shop on Etsy:
https://www.BorsheimArtsStudio.etsy.com
New listings (much more to come)!
https://www.BorsheimArtsStudio.etsy.com/?section_id=59854276
https://www.BorsheimArtsStudio.etsy.com/listing/4556657917/original-figure-study-painting-of-womans
Original paintings:
https://www.BorsheimArtsStudio.etsy.com/?etsrc=sdt§ion_id=43811064
These tend to be artworks that I may not have listed on my site:
https://BorsheimArts.com
a mockup showing some of my artworks (bronzes and an oil painting)
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Art Exhibit : Norfolk, Virginia
the d'Art Center gallery location in Studio 8 in Norfolk, Virginia. The setup happens on the first of September, and will continue through 21 December. I have not come up with a title or even a publicity image because I am still curating the space. However, with October right around the corner, I will definitely be offering my Pumpkin and Acorns painting along with two walls of art and several sculptures.
I hope you may attend, if possible, but I will also be posting images this fall.
Studio 8 Room for my work:
d'Art Center
740 Boush St.
Norfolk, VA 23510
Tel 001 (757) 625-4211
https://d-artcenter.org
Hours: Closed Sundays and Mondays
Tues-Sat*: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
*Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Norfolk, Virginia (US): Teaching
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z5uCWFzcy0
I am excited to announce that I will be teaching a workshop on creativity on Saturday, September 12, 2026!
To see their class offerings, visit:
https://d-artcenter.org/create-learn/
To see the materials list and details for my class on 12 September, go here:
https://DevelopingCompositionIdeas_Masterclass.eventbrite.com
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Family News and a Book!
I want to "shout out" a congratulations to my niece Elyse and my new nephew Gabriel. They had a lovely wedding weekend earlier this month and I really like the family that is now joined with ours.
My family is very supportive, creative, and generous in general, but especially with me, the oldest of my five siblings. I have mentioned some of them before, but soon, I am headed to NYC to visit my brother Steve. He not only helps store my art, packages and ships what I sell that is in his possession, he drives me long distances so that together we can attend the many family events that I have been fortunate enough lately to attend. In addition, he gives me financial advice, and is a fun travel partner.
And yesterday in Norfolk, my brother Michael (who also stores, packages, and ships my art in his possession) patiently waited for over three hours (in just the first shop!) while I ordered a huge group of frames, mats, stretcher bars, archival tape for mounting artwork, and other framing materials for a few items I will do myself. I am also his and his wife Jenny's guest for about a month while I organize my artworks stored on the walls in their home and prepare for my 4-month exhibit space at the d'Art Center in Norfolk, Virginia. They currently have the majority of my work, so it made sense for me to start showing my art in this city.
I would love to share with you this opportunity to order Jenny and Michael's new book about navigating financial decisions, Spent. Truly a collaborative work, here is a small excerpt of the promo blurb:
With warmth, insight, and practical tools, Pfeiffer and Seiler guide readers through the financial situations where couples and individuals most often get stuck: spending, saving, debt, investing, unequal incomes, shared versus separate accounts, supporting parents or adult children, lifestyle upgrades, real estate decisions, career ambition, generosity, boundaries, and the elusive question of what is “enough.”
Pre-order the book here, directly from the publisher:
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Spent/Jennifer-Pfeiffer/9780757325694
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Thanks so much for your continuous interest and support and mostly: Enjoyment of my artistic creations and explorations. See Gemini bronze sculpture below (photos just a couple of days ago).
Find out more about my own artistic journeys here:
~ Kelly Borsheim, sculptor, painter, writer
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https://www.youtube.com/@BorsheimArts
