Lines and shades of black on plywood

It has been truly enjoyable to work with something entirely different! Three new pieces, each 48 x40 cm. They can be hung with horizontal lines or vertical. I have used various types of black paint: artist oil paints, house paints – both oil based and water based, as well as graphite (pencil), etc. I have also used strips of plywood which I have glued onto the board. The following are two pictures of each piece, shown in either direction. Initially my plan was to frame the pieces with glass, in order to protect them, but I think that would not be the best for the art work, so I will just have to handle them with the utmost care. Now the process will continue as the wood will slowly darken as it is exposed to light, which will enhance the works. This process will continue for many years.

Something entirely new – on plywood

Inspired from my recent visit to Art Cologne, I have started a new experimental project. In Cologne I saw some art done with lead pencil and it made me curious to try to use it on the plywood surface. One thing led to the next and I had fun making this piece, where I have used six different types of black, including a black pen. The piece is 40 x 48 cm. I am currently working on a few more variations.

Transparent Personality

Easter weekend is over. Several hundred visitors, most of them expressed oh, awe, wow! in various levels of sincerity. Rewarding and also exhausting. So many questions, so much interest; many said they received energy, inspiration and a “kick”. No wonder I am tired. Before the weekend I spent a few days of hard work, placing my steel art piece in the ground.Ready for installation of the piece.

It arrived on a huge truck and was placed on this little trailer.

Everything worked out great. Until now I had been able to do it alone.

My really nice neighbor came over and together we carefully raised the piece. I did not want it to tip over and fall into the pit. It weighs about 200 kg.

It very smoothly got lowered down into the pit. Evening of a long day…

Next morning I could level the piece and shovel all the dirt back, replace the grass pieces and clean up. All with a great sense of satisfaction!

Ten millimeter steel rising out of the ground with no visible support. Gently swaying in the wind.

The morning sun creates a duplicating shadow on the ground.

The piece is mirrored in the window.

Sunset.

Easter Exhibition coming up

The final preparations for the Easter exhibition are being done. The corten steel piece is arriving tomorrow and I have dug the hole in the ground for the foundation.

And I have mailed the invitation to a lot of people…

Somewhat different than before

I have painted and been diligent!

Who are they? I certainly don’t know…

Spring is here, for sure. I am waiting for the real thing, the steel thing…

Going to Düsseldorf for the Wire show (my old playground!!!) and then Art Cologne (my new playground???).

The last project before Easter exhibition

I started a new piece a few days ago. It is relatively large: 160 x 100 cm.

Old and mysterious

The little painting of the mysterious lady from the past is slowly progressing.

It still needs something…

Knife/Crow piece finished – thanks to Paul Holsby

The other day as I was cleaning up in a remote corner of the property I found a couple of pieces discarded by the previous owner/artist Paul Holsby. The had cut tin plates in abstract (?) shapes and colored them. He had used them for a sculpture in the yard, probably quite a few years ago, see photo below. I cleaned off most of the moss and dirt and glued them onto my painting, as colored clouds, birds or whatever your imagination wants. A great contribution by Paul Holsby, who passed away in December 2007. He was a fine artist who was able to keep a childlike curiosity and imagination all his active life!

Photo: Barbro Hallin

Keeping very busy, starting new stuff

I wonder if I am showing too much? Updating too often?
I started a new piece today, smaller, 30 x 25 cm.

Very unhappy – happier now

I was incredibly unhappy with the vandalism of my painting and I felt I needed to fix it, touch it up, somehow. So I did… believe it or not, I feel happier now. Maybe not happy, but happier. If that makes sense?

The surface is actually pretty neat.