A blog about my work and the way it happens. Things I see, hear, feel and find interesting, funny, odd or just plain curious. News about Everything and Anything Art wise, Expected or Unexpected. This blog is an open work diary for myself, and you are very welcome to follow me on my journey...

mandag den 27. december 2010

Holy Smoke!

Holy Smoke 21" x 17"/ 53 x 43 cm

I recently finished this painting, Holy Smoke. It is actually a motif/idea I have worked on before, a couple of times. I felt a need to rework the image, chance the color scheme, as well as the way the figure was placed.


The inspiration for this painting, originally came from a picture in an old LIFE magazine I bought in Tacoma, WA, years back. Something makes me return to this photo of a very stylish, beautiful and relaxed woman, enjoying a smoke outside.


I added the wings and the play on words - and became quite taken by the image.


I guess some people paint the same hill, tree or lake multiple times. I suppose my thing is that I keep painting a smoking angel...









On the left: the old news paper picture of the smoking woman, who were to become an angel!

tirsdag den 14. december 2010

Gorm's Portrait

My newest pet portrait - a very cute little Gorm in a Royal Copenhagen cup.

A little while back, I got an email with a request for a pet portrait, in time as a Christmas present. At the time I was still on Guam, but I knew I would be in Denmark early enough to get the painting done, and it worked out quite well. I was exited to get started, and throughout

the process, I kept in contact with the customer, via photos and sketches through emails.


I actually met the customer a few years ago, when I visited the Danish magazine "Vi Med Hund". Back then she saw a portrait I had made of Playdoh, in a similar style. She said she at some point may be interested in a pet portrait as a gift for her husband) and this fall she contacted me, and the timing couldn't be better. I would be in Denmark, so the postage ( which can be very expensive) wasn’t an issue. She wanted Gorm in a Royal

Copenhagen cup, and I asked her to do a “photo session” with Gorm, posing in ways, so I could create the illusion of him coming out of a cup. She took a ton of cute pictures, I picked one, and surrounded the figure with his pet names - a specific wish from the customer. As always I enjoyed making the portrait - and I like to stay in touch during the process. Now I just need to carefully pack it up, and get it sent off, so it can be ready to shine, under the tree on Dec. 24th.
I am very excited to hear what her husband will think of his gift...


The picture of Gorm I picked for the portrait.

onsdag den 8. december 2010

Wallpaper that makes my heart sing...

Three examples of new wall paper. Very nice indeed!


I have talked about it before: wallpaper! It is a big part of the way I work. I like the texture of it, and I like it because it adds an extra dimension in the visual story I am trying to tell. So here we go again - yesterday I went into town, and stumbled upon a few very fine pieces of wall coverings. I was quite excited, and couldn't decide between them all, so I had too pick a few out, and ended up with 1 meter of seven different ones. Seven is a ucky number of mine. I love wall paper of the seventies, the bold and often ugly patterns work really well in small pieces, and in small doses. But I also adore the new, modern patterns. They are still bold, but the patterns and color combinations far more sophisticated. Often somewhat asian inspired, with a hint of metallic. Anyway - I could go on, but I just wanted to show a couple of examples from yesterday’s hunt...