ART AND GARDEN
This blog is about my two main obsessions, my artwork and my garden. Looking at art history we find this combination over and over again. The most obvious is Claude Monet and his garden in Giverny, France. His wonderful impressionistic water lily paintings are all painted in this paradise. In the flat landscape of northern Germany, in Seebüll, we find an oasis bursting in colors. This is the garden of the expressionist Emil Nolde.   In Kent, England, there is a magical garden, also containing a white section where the beauty is emphasized in moonlight. Here the author Vita Sackville-West was spending her time writing and gardening.
An artist’s most important tool is her/his imagination. Georgia O´Keefe spent years in the desert of New Mexico painting the beauty of living flowers and skeletons dried white in the burning desert sand. The Mexican painter Frida Khalo faced suffering and pain in life, and through her colorful paintings we can share her travel between life and death. On most portraits of her are she is wearing glorious flowers in her hair.
MY ARTWORK
I am inspired by the ever changing content of my garden. With direct access from my studio the borders are floating. The hands digging in the soil are the same hands scraping in metal, tearing paper or painting.
I am a professional artist living in Bergen, Norway. My time has been filled with creating and exhibiting art, illustration and design, and teaching. From 1990-1996 I was a professor at The National College of Art in Bergen (Kunsthøyskolen i Bergen). Today I have the privilege to be a fulltime artist. I combine all the different techniques and materials I have been working with over the years; printmaking, drawing, painting, textiles, photography, digital artwork etc.
THROUGH ART I QUESTION LIFE.
Playing around I learn by doing, by repeating – like a child.
Still, I have my experiences, from life and from art (which often overlaps). I carry the memories of my ancestors under my skin and the hope for a safe future for those coming after us. When these voices start singing the same melody I know I have found something valuable for me. It’s nothing less than our common past, our future, and everything in between. That should be about all… as life itself.
I am here for a short second, and I am searching for the big picture through close-ups and details. Through daily life and little things I knock on the big door. I peek through the keyhole; – sometimes I imagine seeing a glimpse of light or a shadow passing. It’s enough to make me happy!
Very cool blog!!! I like your ellyphant… surely a cross between and elephant and a troll (if the hair is anything to go by)!!! And your cones… I’ll check back in next time in need a little splash of colour in my life. Well done! 🙂
Elusive Moose, thanks a lot – glad you enjoyed it.
It is hard to hide the troll in us 🙂
I am a gardener myself so I can feel what you are talking about Elly 🙂
Hi Wieslaw, how good, I was just thinking of you – and there was the message. Must be the flower power! I have now bought the book: Jung on nature, Technology & Modern Life. Have you read it? “We keep forgetting that we are primates and have to make allowance for these layers in the psyche.” (Jung)
There are so many different things I want to do – unfortunately on the same time… Wishing you a nice easter. best from Elly
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Beautiful flowers, I bet your garden is full of them..
Mari-Lyn, thank you, – yes it is overwhelming right now. So much inspiration in living materials. You learn to adjust and listen.
Shows the strangeness in the beauty! Really nice work. Very inspirational.
Brigid, thanks a lot! I visited your blog and see that we are fascinated by the same source. I am planning to take up again printmaking, and now I am even more inspired. Thank you!
Looking forward to study your blog closer.
I wanted to subscribe to the RSS feed – neither of the two top «kilder» links are working.
hi again Brigid, I have fixed the RSS feed now. Thanks
Very cool blog!!! I like your ellyphant… surely a cross between and elephant and a troll (if the hair is anything to go by)!!! And your cones… I’ll check back in next time in need a little splash of colour in my life. Well done!
+1
Mark, thanks – much appreciated and welcome back!!
Hei Elly, fin blogg!
Er det mulig å spørre hvor du har kjøpt de fine elvesteinene, og hva det kostet ca? Bor selv i Bergensområdet.
Mvh Susie
Hei, husker ikke i farten navnet på firmaet. Ble kjøpt i bigbags (1000kg) for veldig mange år siden. Kjempefornøyd med dem.