What is the best thing that I love about my work? 

As a sculptor and a painter, I get to explore curiosity, gratitude, and love.  As my late friend and mentor Vasily Fedorouk used to say, “The artist is the best kind of scientist because we get to study everything.”  I am sure that some scientists may disagree, but the point is that everything is connected and we artists move freely from one seemingly unrelated topic to another.

What is my idea of perfect happiness?

I love the idea of walking hand-in-hand and growing old with a cherished and affectionate mate; that, and a life of perfect balance in work and play.

What is my greatest fear? 

I fear that I cannot express what is in my head with the quality I envision.  And thus, I relive this with each new work I attempt.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? 

My lack of self-confidence hinders many of my dreams.

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?

Hmmm, this one is difficult for me, perhaps because I do not think in those terms.  I mean that I do not necessarily think of finding mentors in my own profession since the qualities I most admire are not limited to any one profession.  And I am not big on rating people or things in absolute terms.  That said, my fellow artists Theresa Taylor Bayer, Lorri Acott, and Jeanne Jarrett Rhea strike me as admirable, touchable [accessible?], and inspiring in their honestly about the joys and struggles they face in their personal art journeys.

What is my greatest extravagance? 

Buying art is a joyful extravagance.  And dark chocolate.

On what occasion would I lie? 

I would lie to save or protect someone’s life.  I do not know how long I could keep that up, however, since I am generally a “call it like you see it” person, and not often diplomatic about it.  I might lie if I had promised to keep a secret.  Context is everything.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? 

I was going to say that I dislike my lack of control in color.  However, I sometimes enjoy that lack of skill’s effect.  I struggle at times to find the finish in a good start.  But, mostly, I do not enjoy the job of selling.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? 

I love it when someone shows me how my work communicated something to him, especially if it is the same as I intended to communicate in my visual language.  For example, in Texas in 2001, my then-husband came home from work and took a look at the new sculpture of an embracing couple that I had just started that morning.  I had no details modeled yet and it was just a very rough gesture sketch in clay.  He looked from the sculpture to me and asked, “Are WE ok?”  I was moved beyond compare!  I was so happy that he understood right away what Together and Alone meant.  I said, “Yes, we are now.”  Sadly, we were not ok in the long run, although he is a good man and I love him still.

If I could, what would I change about myself? 

I would like to have a bit more self-confidence.

What is my greatest achievement in work? 

If it is possible to fill someone with awe or a life-inspiring strong emotion or thoughts, then it feels that my artwork has accomplished something … great.

Where would I most like to live?

I am happy where I live in some hills in Tuscany, Italy.   The only thing that might make it better would be the sea with the mountains, and the right person sharing my life with his.

What is my most treasured possession?

My treasure is my art collection, especially those works by artists I know or have known.  But I also cherish many wonderful photos of the beloved people in my life.

What is my most marked characteristic?

I hope that it is kindness.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? 

Nature inspires me more than any city, although I once enjoyed Firenze, Italia, especially le cappelle medicee and La Basilica di Santa Croce.

What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city?

We have three restaurants in my little area in the hills and they all have their good points:  Trattoria da Sandrino, Ristorante Pizzaria “da Carla,” and La Pieve Ristorante e Pub.

What books influenced my life and how?

Grimm’s Fairy Tales was the collection of stories I loved the most while growing up.  I really love “The Little Mermaid.”  I fell in love with the sweet illustrations in that specific book, and even more with the dark and hopeful images the words conjured up that described so well the contradictions we feel in our human hearts and brains.  It helped me to deal with harsh realities, including my parent’s divorce when I was ten, and its aftermath, but really so many life situations that felt so much larger than me.

Who are my favorite writers?

Oh, gosh, I am embarrassed to admit how little I read now for fun.  I loved Shakespeare and always the fairy tales.  I loved the Vampire series by Anne Rice, so many decades ago.  I enjoy the Pablo Neruda poems that I occasionally run across.

You only die once. What music would I listen on my last day?

If my death is slow, I hope to listen to the voice of my beloved, anything he would choose to sing to me, or perhaps the lovely voices of “Il Volo.”

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

I enjoy the character Xena Warrior Princess.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

I am totally in awe of good, caring teachers who change lives for the better.  Of the celebrities, I appreciated so much Audrey Hepburn.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime?

I do not like to make lists of “best” and such.  I prefer to enjoy different things for what they are.  Also, I do not get to watch as many movies as most people I know.  But I like movies, such as What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, that do a wonderful job of putting the viewer inside another’s personality and situation and teach us empathy as each character finds himself in a totally unexpected or -anticipated situation and we ride along with him as he works it out [or not].

What role plays art in my life and work?

I must say that it is everything, even love.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

Hmm… another “best” question that I cannot answer.  My life exists as it does due to a great number of people.  I am not sure that any one person is the end-all, be-all for me, although perhaps for a given time one person or another steps into that role.  I do not understand anyone who lives without gratitude every single day.

Whom would I like to work with in 2018? 

Since I am offering a bas-relief sculpture workshop in June here, I would like to work with budding or experienced artists who want to improve their drawing, composition, and sculpting skills.

Which people in my profession would I love to meet in 2018?

You know, I am a bit of an odd bird, perhaps.  While I enjoy meeting artists, I do not go to the conventions or other situations in which I am likely to meet other professional artists.  I find myself too shy for many gatherings, and sometimes I want distance because I see too many artists’ work converging in style or ideas.  I am curious what sorts of images and sculptures I will create if mostly on my own.  However, I would enjoy meeting some of my collectors that I only know from online dialogue.  The artist’s life I know . . . at least my life; but collectors often have very different interests and ways of seeing the world and often I find that a curious thing.

What project, in 2018, am I looking forward to working on? 

I recently started a page on Patreon to help me with a series of fairly large paintings of men with animals.  I worked with several models years ago for these ideas in my head, but need some help to finish current projects and support while I work on more complicated compositions.

https://www.patreon.com/KellyBorsheim

Where can you see me or my work in 2018?

Thank you for asking.  I have an exhibit coming up in mid-late May at Salvadori Cornici Bottega D’arte in Pescia, Tuscany, Italy.  You may always see my work online, either on my site, or many other platforms and social media.  As for me, one never knows, but you could be sure of it if you attend my workshop!

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

It means that as long as I have a breathe in my body, I will continue to exhibit curiosity, gratitude, and love.  All that makes for a passionate life.

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?

Why not the three that I mentioned in the earlier question:  Theresa Taylor Bayer, Lorri Acott, and Jeanne Jarrett Rhea?

How can you contact me? 

You may contact me via my Web site:  http://BorsheimArts.com

My Patreon site:  https://www.patreon.com/KellyBorsheim

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/kelly.borsheim

https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-kelly-borsheim.html

And on Instagram

My book “My Life as a Street Painter in Florence, Italy”:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/1463774702/ref=cm_sw_su_dp