One theft and one happy image

I know that stealing is not always acceptable, but as Picasso once said: To steal from the best is what I sometimes do.
So I do.

A friend, Astrid Øveraas, has developed into a great photographer lately, and I have more than once used her photos as motives for my own paintings. This beautiful image may well be used that way. I love it. (just to warn you, Astrid).

This image is not a theft. It is a loan. It is done by my wife the evening I returned from another visit to hospital. ( When sick = Hospitalization, not-sick happy and a live) This time I was diagnosed : "Osteoarthritis in left shoulder" and I promise you it was very pain full.
Therefor she took the happy photo of me sitting in my favorite corner surrounded of great paintings.
Life is Great.

Summer shots from Oslo and the Norwegian mountains.

Oslo during summertime can be experienced through a lot of activities. We walk a lot and visiting different parts of the town is one activity that we apreciate very much.
I therefore start this blogpost with an image from Grunerløkka; the area close to Akerselva the most important river when developing Oslo into an industrial city during the 1800 centyry.

 From the river delta and upwards to the old church: Gamle Aker church from around 1150 many old and beautiful houses have been taken good care of. The hill is though very steep for an old man.

Oslo during summer can be very nice when the weather is good, and visiting some of the many restaurants is always important for us Urbanists. This image is from Grand Cafe at the city´s main street "Karl Johan".

Visiting shows and concerts is another summer activity in Norway. We took a trip for participating in the 20th anniversity of the "Evert Taube Show" at Engelsviken at the southern part of the Oslo Fjord. Here is Lars Klevstrand performing one of Taube´s figures: Fritiof Andersson.

Next late summer activity is moving up to the Norwegian Mountains and the area west of Høgevarde where family members have their "cottage" or more likely their mountain villa. A pitstop at Sole Hotel and the beautiful surroundings gave a nice experience.

Then wa arrived to the Høgevarde Fjellpark
Høgevarde 1459 moh is a nice mountain where many walking routes (see map) can give a great experience

My legs have no chance to move up in the altitudes, but my wife and her cousin made an almost 5 hours walk toward Ranten (a nearby peak at 1419 moh) on sunday. You can reach the peak from south or north. Tullen and Kittan started their walk to Ranten from the north.

Startying at about 900 moh the paths are good to follow althoug your leg muscles must be prepared for a climbing and do not forget to carry cloths for changing conditions.

At the first " relaxing level" you find "Raumyra" at 1220 moh, where they have already climbed 300 meters altitude

Until 1858, kryllinger, sigdøler, eggedøler, hallinger and people from Numedal came together to mountain dance at Raudmyrane between Krødsherad and Eggedal. 

Here people gathered for trading, horse-swapping, drinking and dancing.

During the Raudmyr dance, 24-25. July 1858, there was a horrifying bad weather. Extreme snowstorm and party people searched for shelter in the bushes. Others took on the paths back home. 

Kryllingane had a long way. Four hours  walk with some steap hillsides. Three men died this night. Two were found shortly after, but the playman Kjetil Langebakke (33 years) was not found until later in the fall.

Kittan at the peak of Ranten 1419 moh. Behind him there is a steap steap hillside.

Well back at the chalet a dip in the small lake (17,5 degr) feels good,
However,

Tullen and Sissel later found it much more comfortable in the jacuzzi bathtub at 37 degr.

A BBQ dinner from Kittans handmade outdoor fireplace made the day for all of us, and we have only impressive feedbak to give our hostes.

Then it is time to follow the sun setting and waiting for the horrendous rain that raped us during the night. It was not the same level as for 159 years ago, and we were hiding in a safe house but the weather made tremendous damages in other parts of southern Norway.

Latest balcony paintings this summer

 Two paintings are now ready to be presented in my blog.

The first painting: 42 x 62 acryllic on canvas,
is from one of the most traditional motives in the old Jugend city; Molovegen,  Ålesund
Molovegen is also one of the eldest streets in the city and the wooden houses here were not attacked by the city fire in 1904.

This painting is 55 x 70 acryllic on canvas,
is a "selfie" of the artist and his wife although you have to be very kind is you say it is a portrait.

Monday and time for some new paintings

Three new paintings and another ready for signing (possibly)