Rosemaling

Rosemaling is the decorative flower painting of Norway (popular from about 1760-1860). The flowing curvilinear quality of rosemaling seems to have influenced Norwegian artists like Edvard Munch. Rosemaling can be thought of as signifying nature, growth, life and seems in some way related to the world tree of Norse mythology. Rosemaling was used to decorate cabinets and ceilings in homes, creating an interior space that is consumed in a swirling celebration of nature. My work appropriates small aspects of “C” and “S” brush work and amplifies them to an iconic level. Rosemaling motifs are also infused with organic form and/or transformed into mythic beasts and dragons in the style of Viking artifacts. My paintings use a palette specific to Norwegian folk art in general. The Telemark style of rosemaling uses a pictorial devise where the floral design emerges from a central point. The emanation effect in my work echoes this tradition.