I'm discovering the joy of Norwegian folk art painting...

I want to talk a bit in this post, and more so in the next one about spending time in skill development, rather than always focusing on painting a completed piece.



 

So last night, while home alone, I decided to 'play about' with a style of painting that I haven't really tried before.  Rosemaling.

I have been developing a bit of an interest in Scandinavian folk art styles recently, mainly Swedish, and I have some books and a DVD on Norwegian styles (Rosemaling).

A friend gave a copy of Sigmund Aarseth's 'Rosemaling Design - Norwegian Rosemaling Telemark Style' years ago, but I have never really looked at it.

I also bought, many years ago, Jo Sonja Jansen's 'The New Rosemaling Primer' - which is now out of print.

Along with these, my husband bought me the Jo Sonja DVD on Telemark Rosemaling, which had sat in the cupboard unopened.

It is unopened no more.

I painted up some sheets of heavy cartridge paper, masking taped them to a board, got my cup of tea, opened up the books, and plugged in the DVD.

Why did I wait so long!!  Last night was the most fun I'd had in ages.  It was 10.30pm before I went inside (the studio is in the shed) and I didn't want to stop.

I think one of the reasons I enjoyed myself so much, was that I was only 'painting on paper' - no nagging mind telling me that I'd better do a good job or I'd ruin the piece.  More on this subject in my next post.

Telemark is all about scroll work.  It is based on the Acanthus leaf and Baroque and Rococco scrolls.  It took a bit of time to loosen up and get the feel of the movements.



 

 

There isn't a lot of blending going on either, which takes a lot of the stress out of it. It's the liner work at the end that pulls it all together.



 

Each Rosemaler develops their individual styles.

Once you had the basic skills under your belt, the fun is in how you choose to express yourself through this art form.



 

By the time I got to this stage (and I had scrolls and flowers all on top of each other on my by now 'getting very cramped paper'), I was in seventh heaven.  It was extremely exhilarating to 'play'

 

 



 

Apparently it's all about balance.  Giving the design a strong core.  Establish your main scrolls, then add on from there.



 

 

When this is varnished, I will store it in a folder, to give a recording of my progress.

If you haven't given Rosemaling a go, I strongly encourage you to get out the paints and brushes, and have fun.

 



 

Till next time
Fiona