2 weeks until Exhibit.....

So, now it's been so very long since I last wrote here that I nearly forgot how to log on! The past 6 months have been very hectic, I feel. The home life has been demanding more of my attention...lots of new "toys" for us to furnish and it has taken my focus away from the studio, unfortunately. I can hardly believe that on August 6th, I will be opening an exhibit at Lille Atelier. I have started to prepare the paintings (eye screws and wire, painting around all the sides to clean up the "look", deciding what goes and what doesn't) and design a poster and some postcards, but I still have to pull this together in a convincing way. I'm not nervous, and am actually looking forward to getting my production out into a venue where people can check them out. I've painted a good deal of smaller format pieces for this year's exhibit, and feel that they are representative for the state of mind that has followed me for the past 12 months. All the plants and foliage that I love from my trip to Singapore's botanical gardens have crept in, as well as some personal "downers" that have affected the colors that I have chosen this time around. The fantastic sunsets from my balcony have been few and far between, so I have been inspired to create a few of my own.  Hoping that I will connect with the right people at the right time, in the right place from August 6th until August 31st. Maybe it will be you. Please stop in. It's nice to just be able to show people what I do locked away in 25 square meters of studio space most of the year. I'll write more as I get closer to D-day........ (Lille Atelier, Lille Øvregt. 16, Bergen, Norway)

winter is diminishing

OMG, it is almost spring....the snow has disappeared by almost a meter (3 ft.) just since last weekend when we were at Geilo.  We are here again this weekend, and having real good time. Today it has been VERY cold...sat out on the back porch this afternoon, drinking champagne (!!!!) and my fingers were icy cold! The glass of bubbly was cold and clear, but my fingers were cold and stiff!!! The new apartment is nearly ready---taking over next week..believe it or not.  Come for a LONGGGGG weekend!
Needless to say, my painting has come alittle in the shadows, but next week and the week after that, and all the other weeks this year are going to be dedicated to PAINT!!  I will be ready when the exhibit falls onto me like a weight of stones.
Hope all of you are going to have a great weekend. The game is over...Norge/Denmark 1-1....!!!

Back in the Saddle

Hi every(any)one....the weekend at Geilo was just what I needed-alittle get away from the crappy weather here on the coast. Why can't it (the weather) just be sunny and make everyone happy?  I seriously need a bunch of SOL (sun, in norwegian). The weather on Saturday turned out to be a blizzard, so instead of driving up, we had to take the train, as all the roads from east to west (an visa versa)were closed! Nothing like being holed up in a warm house with the fireplace going and a bottle of Amarone. We didn't have a clue about what to do about dinner, so we called a cab and ate at Hallingstuene....wonderful as usual.
The men worked all day Saturday, so the skiing got shoved further and further down the priority list, until it finally was too late, so-no skiing this weekend. A nice long walk to work up an appetite and a simple dinner was in order.
Now that tomorrow is a back-in-the-studio day, I wonder what I will come up with. After a hefty-weather weekend, I feel invigorated by the forces of nature. Snow, wind and cold temperatures/contrasted with huddling inside keeping the hearth warm...hummmmmm.

New Year-New Determination

2011!!!! Where did the time go to? I couldn't believe that the last update to this blog was the end of October, although I do know that I have not had much painting time since we returned from the U.S. So, now it's January 2011, and of course, like everyone else, it's time to take the bull by the horns and get my act together.
The studio time this week has been enlightening. After such a long break, I could see right away what direction to go with two of the paintings started several months ago. It is one of the good things about having alittle break, because your perception clears and new options present themselves. I have been updating the look of this blog and trying to customize it, although it seems I have unanswered questions about the size and placement of photos I want here. I will get it right eventually-attacking it like I do everything else that I determine to resolve. Today I will attack 3 paintings that have seemed at a stalemate, and either I will simplify, or decide on an idea which will take me out of the woods and into a plan....
Don't really like PLANS, but it's like rules.....made to be broken. I will keep in touch. Cheers.

It's 07:30 and it's black as midnight outside, and raining and cold. Hum...a good day to go to the studio and stretch some canvas, I guess. The need to head on over there is pulling me like a magnet. I have been on the road for a very long time now-in Norway, and in the U.S., and the impulses I have absorbed are needing to come on out. Geilo, Isfjord, Phoenix, San Diego, LA, San Francisco, Houston....hew......from cold to warm to cold again. From fabulous norwegian mountains to the desert in Arizona to fisherman's wharf. I was so lucky as to find wonderful exhibits in both Phoenix and San Francisco, so the whole experience was mind expanding on many levels. Now to use these impulses in my work-to catalogue the feelings of these places and put my own spin on the combination that is now together in my head. What a crazy puzzel, and will I be able to extract some essences from the mix? That is what is so exciting about starting and working on a painting...I never know what will plopp out of my mind and down on the canvas next. I do try to clear myself of preset ideas, at least in the start phases. My plan is to have no plan, but when I am in the middle of several works, I see the thread. Color will be the challenge-as always. I will try to recall the heat of the desert-and the feel of excitement of the experience of my southwest roadtrip which got rearranged on a daily basis. Just like I like living life.... impulsively and in the moment. Have a great November.....

I have been starting/stopping/starting/stopping for a couple of weeks now in September, and don't actually know why it's so long between days at the studio, but when I first get there, I just don't want to leave. The canvases are being stretched and primed, the first tentative lines and random colors are thrown down, and alot of thinking and journaling have happened, so I am on the right track. I have decided to continue with the series of paintings called "Pintey St.", at least for the next couple of paintings. The response from the exhibit was so positive that I can see where my best and most honest work is communicating with the visitors.

This weekend I have left my sons home in Bergen and driven with a dear friend of mine to her childhood home in Aandalsnes, Norway. The mountains here are enormous and jagged, and already have lots of snow half way down the sides. The temps. are cooler and crisper, and today we have been to a woolen yarn factory, Rauma Fabrikk, outlet store, and been inspired by the local weavers and knitters. Even though I haven't knitted anything in 20 years, I bought new needles and yarn and will start on wonderful little neck warmers for christmas gifts. Maybe even my boys would like those?????? What the women in this little village don't know about weaving, knitting and dressmaking would make the world's shortest book. (maybe one line). Wish me luck with my new projects.