Visiting Kristiansand and Arendal

 In Norway, one of the most visited tourist areas during the months we here call Summertime, is "Sørlandet" (Southern-Norway). 

Two of the cities in this area which we never before had visited were Kristiansand and Arendal (Both cities established early 17th century by merchants from Holland). Some wooden houses from this time are still to be seen  

To Kristiansand we arrived mostly for the new Kunstsilo and " The Tangen Collection " 

Outside

Inside

A fantastic building but also with some interesting artworks present this time 

Carl-Henning Pedersen´s "Ascetic portrait" is my choice among the many spectacular paintings that was shown in the exhibition "Cosmic Dimensions" by him and Else Alfelt .

One of the decorated tables at the lobby-cafe is also worth to be included in this blogpost.

Before we left Oslo we believed that at least some of the Tangen Collection would be on the walls, but only the "Gjerdeløa" could be seen at the time we visited.

Left: Tullen sitting at the same opening as the artist Marianne Heske (right) did in Tafjord 45 years ago.

The story of the artist´s event by moving the old mountain cabin (built before 1687) from the Norwegian mountains  to Paris and the Pompidou art center, is an extraordinary milestone in international art history 

In Kristiansand skulpturs can be seen all over the city and the large jar (named Jar) made by Kjell Nupen is my choice this time. 

Before leaving "Sørlandet" bound for Oslo, we also made a pit stop at Arendal to see the famous "Pollen" and grab a sandwich for lunch which we had to share with some sparrows.

Pip Pip

"Pollen" is the most visited anchorage for boat-people visiting Arendal, and this "pirates ship" as some locals commented under our lunch was no exception 

Innermost at "Pollen" this naval mine (without explosives) is a leftover from WW one.

 

On the way through nostalgia, Remembering old paintings

 Fourteen years ago we lived in a nice old apartment with ceiling 3,42 m above the floor. We developed a great art collection based on our most favorable painters.

Per Deberitz, Sigurd Danifer and Thore Heramb had their preferred place in our living room. 

Today we are living in another apartment with much fewer walls available for paintings. The paintings on the photo below therefore had to be sold to other art collectors, and we know that some also ended up with famous art collectors, and can sometimes be part of public exhibitions.

However, one of these paintings will never disappear from my memory and today I decided to make an imitation of one. The process from sketch to signature is shown below.

Before putting my signature "A" on the lower right corner, the last changes had to be made after some comments from my kurator: Tullen

Now the "Nostalgic"has been put on the wall at our apartment entrance and can be seen many times every day

SEASON 2025, month 1 (May) Paintings Acrylic on canvas

 When the temperature in Oslo has risen to an acceptable level and the cold wind has been reduced so my fingers can hold the paint brushes without frost damages, new og changed paintings can be worked out.

This spring I have been focusing on landscape and houses. Motives from my birth town and the landscape surrounding this spectacular city may be found in the several paintings.

Variations of some central city buildings have also been worked out.

However, experimenting with colors has always been my favorite driving force. 

My only male grandchild loves to develope and perform in music together with his friends in "Bearhug" and therefore a painting presenting Henrik with his guitar found it´s way to the canvas through this acrylic blue paint

Then back to the fascination of presenting houses in various landscape and colors. 

My last painting from month May/2025 is a nostalgic view from my childhood balcony towards south/southwest with the mountain Sula and the island "Tyskholmen" in sunset. An era is over when my sister moved out of the apartment our family has lived in since 1948. Thanks B.veien 304.

Winter 2025: Weeks in Spain, Malaga and Fuengirola before returning to Norway

 

With a photo of van Gogh´s "Skeleton with burning cigarette" I open this blogpost of my life during the first 4 months of 2025. The painting was part of the Norwegian National Museum´s exhibition "Gothic Modern" which we visited during this year Easter instead of joining the many processions in Spain as we have done many times earlier.

The few days of Easter in Oslo also give the blossom a beautiful scenery in our neighborhood 

However, months before we could meet the spring in Oslo, we left the street of Karl Johan covered with snow and the sunset seen from Radisson Blu Summit Bar, and was met by the sunrise over the Mediterranean Sea

During our long stay at Costa del Sol eating and drinking is a central part of our 7 diversified lifestyle .

At Fuengirola harbor we have our favorite "Chicken Curry" at Scubies. The chef is always ready to make it extra spicy for my wife. 

At one of our favorites bars at Plaza del Chinorros the Bubba mix Salat give us both Starter, Main course and Postres on one plate.  

At Chirinquitos "Gali Gali" and "La Caracola" both Cavas and very good fish dishes (Merluza) can be recommended.

Trying new brands of Spanish wines at La Oliva makes challenges for the waiters because they always are ready to put a "Tinto Ribera" and "Blanco Verdejo" on the table as soon as we sit down. 

Un Cava Benjamin, Cacahuetas, Cafe España (Americano?) and Baileys con un hielo are all after dinner snacks

A trip to Malaga City every ten days makes the long stay activity also diversified. 

Fuengirola beach is normally very crowded, but because this year month of March (the most bad weather conditions last 40 years) only a few persons wanted to sunbath and swim in the sea.

When the wind is cold, the rainfall is unstable and the sun hidden behind dark skys reading can be recommended. This year the nobel laureate in literature: the Korean Han Kang, has written a great novel called "The Vegetarian" Recommended.

The sunrise and the full moon seen from our balcony make the end of this first blogpost in 2025.

Only one more image:

Part of the Ørnulf Opdahl´s "Vestover" as we just hung on our living room wall. 

We are home.

Resurrection of my blogging activity

 

When I startet my blogging history with "Life is Great" in March 2005, I was among the first bloggers in Norway. 

In the first years I used Norwegian in my texts, but due to the international interests I changed to English in January 2008

(https://arneogtullen.blogspot.com/2008/01/you-are-not-alone.html )

The experience after almost 20 years shows that people all over the world still find my blog at the web.

In addition to blogging, I early joined social media like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. and have had friends and followers all over the world. But my heart has all these years been connected to Blogger and the blogging fellowship  

Now I have closed all my present social media accounts and will return to my blogging activity only. 

Hopefully will the most interesting people among my friends and followers rediscover "Life is Great" and give me feedback and advices during the coming months and probably years.

As a start I wish you all a Happy New Year 2025