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...

søndag den 19. juni 2011

Kosha's Portrait


Today, a man named Colin in WA, is being given this portrait of his dog Kosha, a husky/ yellow lab mix.

I worked on the portrait during the month of May, sent it of, and I got an email from his sister (who initially commissioned the portrait) that it had arrived safely. Such a relief. It always feels a little sketchy, mailing paintings around the world.

It will be a birthday present from his extended family, and I just absolutely cross my fingers that Colin likes it, and feel that he truly sees his dog in it.
He lost Kosha recently, and was (of course!) absolutely heartbroken. I guess that is where my role can be a delicate one, as you want to (-and have to-) portray the essence of the pet. I am always a bit anxious when I am showing the portrait to pet owners. They are the ones who know the dog or cat, and the most important thing is that they recognize their pet in it. Usually I work with the customer during the process, but in different ways. Some give me complete freedom to follow my idea, where as others prefer to have more to say in the choice of color, background, etc.

It has been a little while since I worked on a pet portrait, but as always, I have enjoyed the process. What is slightly different about this portrait, is that I used wall paper in the background. A technique I normally reserve for my other work, the collage paintings. But I do like the way it turned out, and expect to keep experimenting with colors, patterns and texture in the future.

Happy Birthday Colin!

lørdag den 18. juni 2011

Back from Barcelona

A cup of tea in a little cafe in Barcelona.


I’ve just returned home after 17 days in barcelona. It was vacation, and I was meeting my husband there. It has been two great weeks, in every way.

I love to travel, to sense a new place: the culture, the people. I enjoy feeling the pulse of the city. Barcelona is a cornucopia of art and culture, and I’ve tried to take in as much as possible. My moleskin book is full of new notes and thoughts, and we have visited little great places: galleries, bookstores, artsy clothing stores... I’ve collected postcards, pictures, business cards for multiple reasons: for possible later contact, because they were interesting or aesthetically pleasing.

I feel that I am taking small parts of Gaudi, Dali, Picasso home with me, as well as parts of the Barcelona atmosphere.

A little over a year ago I went to Honolulu. I wrote a blog about it, and I remember how much I truly NEEDED it. Needed city and culture, the lights and just simply watching people. Living on Guam for a longer period does that to you. In some ways I felt that I was getting up for air in Honolulu, so I could go back to guam, and continue my life there “under water”.

This time was very different. I didn’t feel cultural deprived, instead it was an great, added bonus. The main purpose was seeing my husband, after a long time apart. I loved every moment of it. And I would suggest a visit to Barcelona to anyone. It is a stunning city that has it all: art, beaches, mountains, history and amazing architecture. And so much more. Just do not go there expecting polite service and friendly locals. It is a cold city if you don’t speak Catalan or Spanish (which we do not!)

Naturally, there are some great people out there, we were lucky to meet a few, but they are few and far between. Or perhaps you just have to get to know them. I don’t know...


Back to reality, to work, and hanging a show - private view this coming Tuesday.


søndag den 5. juni 2011

Today, Sunday June 5th., Lemvig Dyrskue (Lemvig County Fair) is happening. As part of the fair, Bovbjerg Fyr (Bovbjerg Lighthouse) has arranged an art auction.

(This is where I showed work back in February.)

They’ve asked artists who have previously had art shows there, to donate a piece of art for the auction. I have donated one of my small women studies, titled “Stockholm”.

Best of Luck to Bovbjerg Fyr - I hope they’ll manage to raise a lot of money - it is for a great cause.