People on your portraits are usually in a mediative, thoughtful mood. Sometimes startled or, especially on more liquid paintings, sad.
Yes, I have noticed myself so to speak. I guess I am a thoughtful person and like to reflect on my life the past and now. Also, I had that near-death experience that had a huge impact on me and a person close to me died a couple of years later. I like being alone in my studio listen to music and paint my grief. I know it sounds sad, but for me, it feels soothing and like a relief. I also like painting those emotions that we’re not always comfortable with, like loneliness, the feeling of rejection and sadness. I welcome all my feelings when I paint.
Some people are kind of mysterious to me, I like painting when there’s something I don’t understand or when there’s something that bothers me. The finished painting might give me some answers.
One other thing is that I like experimenting with techniques. I’m always trying out some new techniques that might fascinate me.
I have read in your bio that in your painting process you keep exploring different tools. How did you start such experiments?
I started out exploring different techniques when making abstract paintings and then took the experiences with me into the faces.
You live in Norway. For me, northern Europe is a synonym of being close to nature. I have been twice in Sweden, in Stockholm, and got immediately captivated by life in the city and outside of it. I guess it could look similar in Norway. How much this influence your art?
I haven’t thought much about that, but sometimes I think I’m painting the fairy tales of my childhood, you know trolls and the mysterious forests. It might have influenced me unconsciously in my paintings.
What is your source of inspiration?
My source of inspiration is my mind, my past, my daily life, mostly my emotions now and then.
To this day, what was the biggest challenge in your journey as a self-taught artist?
The biggest challenge, hm there hasn’t been any big challenges I feel. If I have to pick out something it has to be my first solo exhibition that took place three years ago at
Artilleriverkstedet where I have my studio. I have had my studio for a few months and arranged it myself with help from friends and people working there too. I didn’t know anything about it, but kind of jumped excited into something totally new for me.
Did you have any doubts regarding your artistic path? How did you overcome them?
No, there was never any questions. I had found my passion and felt an urge to paint every day.
