The Figure 8.15

Another painting finished in August 2015. "The Figure" Acrylic on Canvas 50 x 70 2500 nok.

Sognsvann

This painting is also based upon a photo taken by another person. My wife is often walking around the lake "Sognsvann" which i close to the geographical center of Oslo. One day in July she stopped and sent an iPhoto image back to me.
The painting Acrylic on canvas 54 x 66 can be your for 2700 nok

Tullen´s iPhoto 5s image

Stop painting, it is good enough

Todays painting is in many ways very interesting. It is a result of an idea coming out of a photo posted on FaceBook by a friend, inspired by the colours used in landscapes by an English painter, but mostly by a phrase given by a young female painter student. She told me that the important point when working, is to put a stop to the use of colours when feeling satisfied.
This painting Acrylic on canvas 50 x 84 called "Boathouses" can be yours for 3000 nok.

The image which started the creative process was Bente´s photo

and if you want to learn more of the colour inspirator go to Ivon Hitchens

The Alps of Sunnmøre

A few weeks ago I was hospitalised with a severe infection. I took a photo out of my window and got prompte another hospital window view sent from a friend in Ålesund. Thank you Astrid.
Could I do anything but using her image as a motiv for a painting?

A view towards the most beautiful fjord in Norway; Hjørundfjorden and the Sunnmøre Alps
Acrylic on canvas 44 x 60, 2200 nok

The Lighthouse

After a week in hospital it was nice to return home to finish my last painting "The Lighthouse".
Acrylic on Canvas 72 x 80:  4000 nok
The painting is based on a photo with courtesy by Rune Eide and one of his great photos

For more photos by Rune see his photoblog Visual Norway

The garden

The Garden. Acrylic on canvas 61 x 74 = 2500 NOK

Paintings from the beginning of August 2015

My own corner of the veranda where the easel, paint, paintbrushes and glasses with water makes the basis of my works on canvas. Lately I have been very active out there although the climate  is not the best in this summer. But as long as it is not too much rain, not too hot and not too cold, I am satisfied.

 This landscape is 51 x 54 and ready for anyone at 1800 NOK

This panting is an imitation of another image I found on the net. To steal from quality images has always been accepted in the history of art, and as long I can document that it is my own work and carries my signatur I hope the copyleft is acceptable. 74 x 50 and a coming gift to a family member.

Summer, July 2015, Rain and more rain

I am trying the best to make some optimism in my "July Summer" painting (Acrylic on canvas 50 x 52 2k nok.), but the clouds are dark and the water ready to pour down again.

When posting it is raining heavily.

Last 30 days: Average temperature was 16.5 °C, 0.2 °C above the normal. Highest temperature was 27.0 °C (5 July), and the lowest was 7.8 °C (11 July). The total precipitation was 62.0 mm. Highest daily precipitation was 19.2 mm (9 July), measured at 7am (8am daylight savings) for the past 24 hours.

Brighton, Lewes and University of Sussex

Last week we had the great pleasure of joining the Graduation ceremony at University of Sussex when the counsellor confirmed that our daughter Trine was awarded the title Doctor of Philosophy based upon her Thesis: "The film of tomorrow: A Cultural History of Videoblogging"
University of Sussex is located between Brighton and Lewes in the southern England and here we have covered some memories from the visit.

The beaches in Brighton is world wide famous with the old Brighton Pier from 1823 and Bath Boxes. This wheel is not that old but give  a new view at the coastline.

In addition to the Lanes and streets in Brighton it would be a failure not to include a visit to one of the numerous pubs in the city.

Going to Lewes this city is something different from the busy Brighton. Very charming and well worth a visit.

One of the attractions in Lewes is the "Fifteen Century Bookshop" but I do not believe the house is that old. It just look as it is.

Back to the Graduation ceremony with all the British academic procedures possible, including Management, Professors and other faculty lecturers on stage. (BTW  Trine´s husbond (also a Doctor) is sitting  top right) The video from Trine and Helene on stage can be seen below.

A proud father with Dr Trine Bjørkmann Berry at the ceremony. Trine is in addition to her Doctor Gown wearing her Bunad (national costume) from Sunnmøre, Norway.

An old and a new painting

When preparing for a blogpost regarding my daughter´s PhD Graduation at the University of Sussex in Brighton last week, I give you two of my works from this week:

First a repainted work from several years ago due to some complaints from the owner (my wife)
 The painting is from Brussel and the Rue des Bouchers

The second painting is made as a greeting to Brighton Beach and the colourful Bathing Boxes.

Sunset from the Balcony

The last days have been good for sitting at the balcony in Oslo and make a painting from another balcony (or something like that, Arve).
 In the center of Axel Holms square you may imagine Molovegen and the light from the sunset coming from from north northwest
The painting is called Sunset from the Balcony, is 72 x 50 cm and acrylic on canvas.

Swimming the Mediterranean

Just a small documentation showing that the morning bath in the Mediterranean Sea is possible after a short walk from the hotel. Fresh and lovely (according to my wife in the video)

Walking activity at Costa del Sol

One of the reasons why I love to be here at the beaches of the Mediterranean, is the easy way to get around by feet. During the last 7 days I have walked over 55km and the only day the distance was under daily target was last Sunday when my sister picked us up by car for lunch at La Cala.

Before I got the serious infections in the legs this Pesetas sculpture was the normal turning point for our daily morning exercise. Now I am satisfied by passing it on a tour from Torreblanca (reached by bus) and home to the hotel (6 km)

San Juan 2015 in Fuengirola

In the following you will find some images from the evening of San Juan at the beaches in Fuengirola this year.

 The sunset is near and the families and friends are gathering for BBQ and fun at the beaches.

 Some of the bonfires are bigger than others and young boya are ready for jumping over the flames. Later they will hold hands and go backwards into the waves. Lucky them that the sea is calm tonight.

 At some of the Chiringuitos the restaurant has closed and moved their services outside like here at GaliGali.

 Grilled Sardinillas seems to be the most preferred dish this night.

 The crowd of people around the bonfires creates nice lights for photos and memories. I only use my iPhone 6, but the result is acceptable.

A warm day in Malaga

Yesterday we went on our once a week visits to Malaga. Left Fuengirola by train at 10.40 and could after 50 minutes document the present temperature this Monday

It was a hot day but with some pitstops at our favourite Tapas bars or restaurants getting some refreshment and food, the day ended up as expected.

The flowers in Malaga are someplace made up as sculptures. This is from the shopping street Calle Marques de Larios

Bodega El Pimpi is a place we always visit although it is very high on the tourist trail. A mixed platte of Jamon (ham) and Manchego together with a glass of wine is lovely.

Another place to visit is Lo Gueno
Have a nice Malaga day when you arrive.

I love Oslo

Christian Radich and Akershus Castle and Fortress are the Norwegian Capital´s central skyline at the bottom of the Oslo Fjord. Looking at the sky you understand that it is still only +14C.
Spain is waiting.

Spitzbergen, Svalbard

I really do understand why many people who love colours become struck by the Northern Light.
Later this Summer I will return to my photos from Svalbard and try to copy them into paintings. This is no copy, only an attempt to remember the light and landscape with no address.

Svalbard, Day four - Nordenskiøld-glacier and Pyramiden (almost)

We had chosen a second boat trip on day four. Perhaps not the best choice, because of the almost ten hours tour, but beautiful nature and dramatic situations made the day one of the greatest memories

We left Longyearbyen and the Adventfjord (The name probably derives from the English whaling ship "Adventure", which was stationed in Isfjorden in 1656), and entered the great Isfjorden with the mountain peaks on the port side and north west.

During the more two hours voyage to the end of the fjord we passed bird cliffs like this.

This is the Russian settlement Pyramien.
Read the information about Pyramiden by clicking on the link. Due to heavy ice condition that is also the only information and photos I have.

On the way to the glacier our crew had to pick up a female guide from the coastline. She had been on a week holiday together with some English tourists, and was expected back to Longyearbyen for work. This is typical. Tourist boats are the only transportation in addition to helicopters here.

Coming closer to the glacier the ice became thicker and thicker. Our boat was no icebreaker, but managed fine in this area.

Nordenskiöldbreen is named after the Finnish geologist Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld (1832–1901), and is 25 km long and 11 km wide

With the flag of the Faroe Island astern we the started to play icebreaker toward Pyramiden.

The ice became so thick that the boat at last came to a complete stop. Not coming further and only with difficulties been able to get us out of the heavy ice condition. The ice was more than 50 cm thick and increased towards the coast and settlement.
So therefore if you want to know more of Pyramiden go back to the Wikipedia link and read.

Soon after coming free and leaving the ice at Pyramiden, one of our friends got a medical problem and we had to call for emergency help. After about 30 minutes a helicopter with doctor arrived and could take the patient with them to the hospital in Longyearbyen. Luckily he recovered rapidly but was later moved by medic plain to Tromsø for more investigation.

The mountains at Isfjorden are really beautiful and the formation very spectacular. You have to see for understanding.

At last we could experience the real Midnight Sun.

Svalbard, Day Three - Exploring Longyearbyen with surroundings

 Day three started with a wandertng along the Burmaroad which goes from the old coal shipping area and back to the center. When walking outside the center the inhabitants always are armed with guns in case of meeting a polar bear. So were in addition to dogs, the two guides we had with us

Today the coal is transported with lorries, but in previous times these ropeways  were full of coal from the mines to the harbour. If you have seen the Norwegian movie Orion´s Belt, you will remember these buckets which saved the hero´s life.

One of the most popular restaurants or cafes in Longyearbyen is "Kroa". We had a great lunch here this day. In the evening it is crowded and all tables reserved for dinner.

 In the middle of the pedestrian zone in Longyearbyen there is this statue of the old miner, and we had to document that we had been there.

 The dinner for this night took place 10km north of Longyearbyen at Camp Barentz in the Arctic Wilderness. On the road to this camp we passet this colony of Common Eider. We were told that the birds gathered here during the nesting periode to be safe from the bears and protected by the dogs close by.

 The drinks and dinner at Camp Barentz was great, and so was the external of the outhouse.

On the way back to the civilisation at eleven the midnight sun started to explore over the mountains to the northwest.