Norwegian Trolls & Rosemaling Vol. 1

From the Publisher:

From The Vikings To The United States.

Rosemaling, an art form over 1000 years old, was copied by the roving Vikings in the 9th century from the Greek and Roman acanthus leaf. They used carve this leaf on their ships as decoration and protection from evil happenings. This is one of the earliest Rosemaling forms known. Today’s Rosemaling continues the characteristically complex curving and interfacing of the organic decorations of the Viking Age. Today, the three prominent Rosemaling styles are Hallingdal, Rogaland and Telemark. With the loss of the original Master Rosemalers in Norway, there is a lack of good sources of instructions in the homeland of this beautiful art. There are no major teaching institutions available anymore. Several decades ago there used to be a Rosemaling School in a place called Sand in the southern part of Norway. But there are no major educational institutions available anymore or proper places to display art work, except for limited space in a few museums. The Norwegian authorities are! not supporting Rosemaling as they do with other art forms.

The US has become the adopted homeland of Rosemaling. This started with the mass immigration from Norway in the second quarter of the nineteenth century when also many Rosemalers moved to the New World. Much credit for this growing popularity must also be given to the great Vesterheim Norwegian-American museum in Decorah, Iowa. This is the US cultural center for priceless Norwegian art and heirlooms from the days of the first emigrants and up to modern times. Joan Dahl’s art work is on permanent display there along with the other treasures.

One of the favorite objects of Rosemaling in Norway was the storage trunk. This piece of furniture became the standard luggage of the immigrants. As a consequence, examples of Rosemaling came to America in an even greater numbers than the painters who produced this art. In the past, the connection between Rosemaling and America was largely due to historical circumstances. Today, a much more significant relationship is being established. The revival began with the immigrant groups, but soon attracted the attention of the broader American public. Rosemaling is now found in adult education programs and arts and crafts businesses all over the country. There are now many more Rosemalers in the US than in Norway!

From the Author:

As a Rosemaler and teacher for 26 years, my greatest joy in life is to take people who have never painted and helping them to become beautiful Rosemalers. To see the pain of their first painting strokes in their faces, to the later joy of a beautiful piece of finished art work. To see them grow more confident with each piece they paint and finally the accomplished artists and possibly selling their finished art.

To every student that I have had in my studios, I want to thank you because you have also taught me love and patience, given me joy and hope for those who are yet to come. God bless each and every one of you.

Thank you very much for having selected to purchase my books and attending my Florida and Online Seminars. Should you wish more information or help with your Rosemaling, never be afraid of contacting me personally. It is always interesting to have a Rosemaling with my readers and students so we can exchange ideas and experiences. Please email me for my Free support line number. My email address is: online@rosemal.com

When people ask me if I have a favorite piece of finished Rosemaling, my answer is “Yes”. My favorite project is always the current one I am working on. I try to put all my ability of painting and creating into every new design and project. I always feel that I have a little piece of myself in everything I create. When a project is finished, I actually feel a certain sadness about having to say “Good-bye” to and old friend. I therefore, move to a new project as soon as I can.... My philosophy is: If you have a few minutes a day to paint, do it! You are that much closer to finish your present project so you may be able to start on the next challenging art work.

I hope you will enjoy learning my painting methods and have as much fun as I have in creating beautiful Rosemaling art work and my little Norwegian Troll creatures.

„Über diesen Titel“ kann sich auf eine andere Ausgabe dieses Titels beziehen.