S.I.N.O. - SUMMER IN NAME ONLY

Not sure what to write here, about the summer that played hide-and-seek with most of southern Norway this year.It seems that NORTHERN NORWAY made off with the sun and high temps. and have the most D.vitamin going into this winter. We, in the south west of the country, have new records for rain and sales of water-proof outdoor clothes. Between my better half having come down with Shingles and the weather, it has been a steller summer for staying home and getting lots of work done in the studio. Now that it's the middle of September, the sun has decided to make an appearence and I'm ready to take a break and fill up my depleted energy levels. I did, however, manage to get in a little trip to western Ireland and southern Norway (Grimstad) in June, and southern Norway (Lindesnes) in September, and they have helped to inspire. The studio has been my daily retreat, and I don't see that changing any time soon. The course with Pam Caughey (Art, Success, Masters) was completed in August, so now I am FREE to explore my own interests and painting direction. I think light and sun, contrasts of light and dark in nature will always be a theme for me. The spring and summer months, with new growth and color bursts, just calm me down and reassure. One take away from the courses I've taken are decisions over color choices. Previously I have blindly used the 3 primary colors in their warm and cool versions, plus black and white to mix with. As you may know, there are VERY many yellows/blues/reds on the market, so depending on the opacity or transparency and properties/color versions of those primaries, you will get thousands of color combinations. Mixing color swatches in huge numbers, exploring the different combinations of colors that I have, have narrowed me down to some definite favorites-and they aren't what I was using previously. Just one of the many ah-ha moments in the never ending study of art. This weekend is the yearly art festival B-Open in Bergen and lots of interesting things are happening in art studios around the city. Artists are opening their studios-inviting in anyone who is curious to see what goes on in there where we are spending sooooo much time creating something out of nothing. My studio will be open for a visit from 12-17:00 on Sunday, along with Charles Grande. Sandviksboder 73a, 5035 Sandviken. I'd love to see friends and neighbors for a coffee and a chat. Check out B-Open.no for the whole proogram and list of artists whose studios are open both Saturday and Sunday. That's all from me for now. Stay in touch!

 In The Thick of It....

Today, February 1st, is a small milestone on the way to spring. The worst of December/January is behind me, and the days are noticeably lighter/longer. Now, if the storms would just cease to roll in over the whole of the country, we would actually be able to enjoy this winter. Extreme wind, rain and high water have visited us more often than is normal-but it is fascinating to watch!

Since I last wrote here, I have taken/am taking 2 art masterclasses, with varying durations. The first one was 3 months last April, May and June. The current one is a college level masterclass that will engage me for one year, if I manage to follow the schedule. I can pace myself and extend the time it takes me to complete, but am keen to finish by this August. These courses are filling in gaps and expanding theoretical principles so that I can better judge how to get out of stuck situations and be more ME in my work.

As a result of doing a deluge of assignments, my own studio practice has been directed more towards completing those assignments than following my nose. BUT, I still did manage to be accepted for a summer gallery showing at Galleri GEO, here in Bergen, plus I have work at Panorama Art, also here in Bergen. The building that houses my atelier (and 15 others) has a large indoor hall that is perfect for exhibits, which we have on a regular basis. Our Christmas exhibit was a fun, informal showing of work, and in April we will have a Spring exhibit and open ateliers at Sandviksboder 73a in Sandviken, Bergen.  

In April I will also be having an exhibit at a popular cafe in the ski resort town of Geilo, Cafe Mocca.  I will show a collection of smallish works (30  x 30 cm,. 50 x 60 cm., possibly a bit larger) of abstract organic compositions.  Hoping that these smaller works will find new homes across the countryside. I will ship within Norway, and to people I know and trust outside the country. I have attached a small sample of what to expect in this blog. Meanwhile, I paint daily and am looking forward to what/who turns up in my studio this year. You're all invited!

Acrylic on wood panel, 30 x 30 cm. (12 x 12 in.)

Acrylic on wood panel, 30 x 30 cm. (12 x 12 in.)

Acrylic on canvas, 80 x 60 cm. (31.5 x 23.5 in.)

Acrylic on canvas, 50 x 60 cm. ( 20 x 23.5 in.)

Acrylic on wood panel, 30 x 30 cm. ( 12 x 12 in.)

Acrylic on wood panel, 30 x 30 cm. (12 x 12 in.)

Acrylic on canvas, 40 x 60 cm. (16 x 24 in.)

Acrylic on wooden panel, 30 x 30 cm., (12 x 12 in.)