HAPPY SUMMER SOLSTICE

Happy Summer Solstice! the last week I have been out and about exploring the surrounding area. I was able to use a Swedish artist's car who left for her exhibition in Paris so the other
two guest artists, Ashleigh and Erdmute and I went to Uddevalla, about an hour north of here..we went to the Bohuläns Museum and saw a colorful show of well known expressionist Swedish artist 
Jarl Ingvarsson, inspiring. Then we drove across the Tjorn bridges to Skarhamn on the sea to enjoy the amazing Alice Neel show at the Nordiska Akuarellmuseet (watercolor museum) Not only was the show wonderful- work I had never seen of hers but the museum is placed beautifully on the ocean- wonderful place to visit.

Ashleigh and Erdmute looking at Jarl's show

a charming little watercolor of Alice Neel's

enjoying tea after the show at the museum, landscape was so peaceful

The other morning I went for a walk looking for this place that holds dance classes, a new friend Malin had told me about..I had my map and was standing on the street and a woman walking her dog asked me if I needed help. She proceeded not only guide me right to the place where I wanted to go but also took me halfway back to where I knew the trail through these lush gorgeous garden areas. I was totally excited to find another route which was shorter and went back the next day just to enjoy the beauty. These people have little summer houses and tend the gardens in front of them.

the trail goes between all the houses, each one more fun and charming then the next, everything blooming!

always love stacked wood!

Yesterday it was Midsummer celebration which is the biggest holiday in Sweden, bigger than National Day..everything closes and people celebrate by gathering with friends and family doing  traditional dance and song, then everyone goes home and enjoys a meal together. I was not sure what I would do so I decided to start working in my studio and then after awhile Erdmute said she was going to Branno island to the celebration and asked if I wanted to come, she was leaving in 5 minutes ( I grabbed my pack and threw a few things in there and we were off) We took the tram to the ferry and had a lovely time dancing and then we were invited to Barbro's home for fresh strawberry cake (she is the director of the residency and lives on the island) it was a fabulous spontaneous time!

people enjoying the natural surroundings on the rocks and cove on the ocean where the celebration took place

isn't she adorable? everyone wears flower wreaths

another beauty, fresh flowers so lovely!

an intimate moment

The Illinois Riegel's could easily belong to this country with their blond hair and fair complexion

even babies get into it!

musicians who live on the island played as we danced

great gathering

kids holding hands walking on the island, I couldnt stop taking photos of them all

From outside of Barbro's house you could see the whole archipelago (islands). She bicycles to the ferry from her house, then takes the ferry (only 15 min.), then the tram to work here in Gothenborg every morning and loves it! A place to return and explore for sure!

A few highlights for you to enjoy! My work is changing, I have been having fun trying out a few new materials..Ashleigh, the Canadian artist is leaving after this week so we are having an Open Studios Exhibition this Thursday...will send more info on that soon. Thanks for keeping me updated about you, I love hearing. Until next time

byeeeeeeeee!

Food, Wash, Music, Art

My appetite has become huge here, I dont know if its all the walking or working or what but I am certainly loving preparing and eating food here..and I took today off from art making which has been refreshing..I walked to the post/tobacco shop nearby this morning it was sprinkling out and then stopped by this amazing bakery Alva och Iva that I finally was able to find down a side street and got a treat and could not wait so ate it on the way home! Also bought a scrumptious small loaf of spelt and seeded bread.

here's a glimpse of spinach, tomato, feta, pine nut pasta I made the other night, great leftovers too

head baker at Alva och Ivar's bakery, think he gets there at 2 am

I love their purple striped tops and cream caps, so sweet!

cooked muesli with toasted coconut flakes, dark walnuts, sliced bananas, drizzled with maple syrup and dollop of greek yogurt, toasted spelt seed bread and italian coffee ( yep I started drinking it here but only after I have my first thing in the morning pot of ginger lemon tea )

on another note its that time of week when I wash my lingerie and find a creative place to hang it because it was sprinkling outside, fortunately they have a ladder in here and soft walls and hooks, my husband has taught me well

as far as art goes I am just about finished with #5 large piece which I will send to you soon but here are some ink studies I did while  listening to some Ray Charles the other night

I passed a poster board with all the fliers ripped off and loved what was left, inspiring collage with staples

Yesterday after working for most of the day I walked to the Gothenburg Museum of Art to see Finnish artist Helene Schjerfbeck's show which I totally enjoyed (about 100 paintings celebrating the 150th anniversary of her birth), she was known mainly for her self-portraits and still lifes but during her life (born in 1862) her work changed dramatically. Even though she is a legend in Scandinavia she is virtually unknown abroad. Also displayed was an edgy Bruce Nauman show.  

here's a view of what I pass every day when I come home from town, its near one of the Universities here

It was Erdmute's birthday Sunday and she had everyone over, we went outside to finish our meal and some musicians walked by and came back and played for awhile, first a traditional Swedish song then some Bob Dylan and folk songs everyone could relate to..love the way music is so available and a huge part of life here, this photo was taken at about 11 pm, still getting used to the light!

Saw this tacked up on the street and it struck a chord with me!

sooo many ways to bring creativity into our lives!

until next time...be well and keep those emails coming, love hearing from you!

Daily life in Konstepidemin

I woke up later than usual today because I went to a music party at an old home last night, it was packed into a courtyard with a
small bar and outdoor kitchen where they were serving curried couscous and veggies. I have to say this city is vegetarian friendly for sure. I have gotten into a groove where I get up and do watercolors for about 30-40 minutes while listening to meditation music, this is new for me and its something I would love to continue, feels good to connect with art first thing. After that I get a bit antsy and with the beautiful weather here which Swedes are thrilled about I head for a morning walk, usually to the park but sometimes I will walk around the town discovering new shops that I plan to return to..most don't open until 11. So far I have finished 3 larger pieces and lots of
little watercolor studies..
a few days ago one of the Swedish artist's who has a studio here fixed lunch for 9 of us which was so nice..the best part was it was amazing food, quinoa with nuts and veggies, wonderful salad with feta, fresh ginger grated carrots and toasted sesame seeds and yummy, crusty fresh bread. Then we visited 4 of the artist's studios, they were all so different but nice to see what they do and hear them discuss their work. Nils had installed a wall of self portraits from the 80's until now and he totally inspired me to want to do some self-portraits.
I told Linda, another artist I needed a mirror and later that day she drops by with a huge mirror- have made a few beginning attempts! 

    morning meditation with watercolors and ginger lemon tea

delicious lunch outside at Mona's

sunny day gathering 

Mona is makes jewelry, these all began as found objects, she then sands, drills and solders pin backs, so unique, anyone have a favorite?

Ashleigh (Canada) Tomas (Swedish) Linda (Swedish) Mona (Swedish) Nils (Swedish) and Ermate (German)

Nils in front of one of his beautiful self-portraits

This band was playing traditional Swedish music and many were dancing in costume along with them

A man playing the drum made me think of my Mike who is visiting the Riegel clan in Illinois now, I miss him!

I took this last night at 11:30 pm when Ashleigh and I walked back from the music party, sky still blue

Tonight Ermate has invited the group over for dinner at her place which will be nice..I am alone most of the time so its fun to have gatherings sprinkled in with art making. The artist Linda will be going to Paris for an exhibition she is in next week and she offered to let us use her car to go north to see a few art shows..looking forward to that, glad I can drive a stick!!

leaving you with this one I saw on window during one of my morning walks..love hearing from you! until next time

gorgeous Gothenburg

    All I can say is that I am loving it here, there's nothing not to like even the weather has been incredible..everyone is amazed by the daily sunshine, its not real hot to me but to them it is..there is a
nice breeze and warm sunshine and sometimes in the afternoon there is a cloud cover so the sun goes in and out, puffy clouds move through the sky and then sun again until midnight..I have nice curtains in my bedroom so I can fall asleep and my slumbers have been deep, dreams have been so vivid I cannot
keep up with the movies my dream psyche is producing. There is a small art gallery underneath my apartment and they change the exhibit every week during the summer, maybe that has something to do with it..
   Yesterday after my morning walk in the park and breakfast I did some fun mono printing and then started a new piece, then walked into the city centre in the later afternoon and checked out the art supply store and was blown away by the beauty of this city. It takes me about 15-20 minutes to walk to the city centre,haven't even tried biking yet but they did give me a bike, one thing at a time.

Slottsskogsparken is a huge park with lots of hiking and biking trails 5 minutes from me

I had to take this photo for my sis of these metal horses, fun! there are tons more in the park

fun braided sculpture in the park

This was on the way home from the city centre walk yesterday, the city is so charming and although large has somewhat of a small town feeling, easy to walk and bike

ready to dive into my art- all set up, the studio is terrific, lots of light and space

last night I fixed an eggplant, tomato, spinach dish with pine nuts and feta, it was delicious and I ate outside in the sun at 7 pm

something about all the colors together is inspiring

 the artist's dinner Monday night was lively! Four Swedish artists who have studios at Konstepidemin and one artist from NYC who is trying to move here she comes every year, one from Germany one from Canada. We are meeting Friday for an outside lunch break here and the German artist is having everyone over Sunday night, nice to interact and have break from art making 

  there is so much to share, everyday I discover something new,  so happy I am able to stay for 2 months, there is so much to see and do here especially after the Swedish artist's gave me a list a mile long of all of their favorite places!

love hearing how you are- please keep me posted!

Settling in Sweden

 I just returned from an invigorating walk in the nearby woods and wanted to share my new adventure with you. I am in Gothenburg, Sweden at Konstepidemin Art Residency for June and July, arrived
this morning..I swear by those no jet lag pills, I have been going non-stop since I got dropped off
here after 3 flights, a 20 minute bus ride and a short jaunt in the taxi. If you don't know about this website www.optiontown.com- make a note of it..I was able to upgrade with Scandinavian Airlines for my
flight from Chicago to Stockholm to business class for a nominal fee and it was a total godsend, my body was extremely grateful.
 A kind man and Swedish artist named Tomas showed me around Konstepidemin (the name
means epidemic of art) and told me a little
about the basics and walked with me to the nearest grocery store (5 minutes away) said goodbye and pointed me back in the direction of my new home. I unpacked my art supplies (some of my paint containers had opened a tad) but nothing I couldn't clean up, everything made it here safely including me so I am grateful.
It was a beautiful sunny day when I walked out of the airport this morning and later a small thunder shower moved in and now its fresh and sunny outside again as I stare out the window of my new studio in anticipation of beginning a new
chapter of my art tomorrow. 

getting under 50 lbs..this was a bit challenging this time, my cardboard tube with paper fit inside my big bag,paint, brushes and shoes etc. in other one, glad that part is history!!

100 local artists studios are housed here and 5 international studios, Monday we will have a dinner so I have a chance to meet the 5 int'l artists

beautiful walk in the woods nearby after the rain

part of my studio, there is a big white wall to the right where I will be able to work large, I found this purple yoga mat in the closet, guess this place was meant for me

couldnt resist this in the concrete on my walk

please email me let me know how you are when you can and if these posts are too much for you to read just let me know

until next time wishing you a happy June!