How I Became Interested In Rosemaling
began my love of Rosemaling in June of 1980. My mother, who is 100 percent Norwegian, had
learned about a class being taught in her home town. She called and asked if I would join her
and that is how it began. The style we were introduced to was Rogaland, taught by a student
of Vi Thode. Coincidently, when we looked up the area where that style originated from, we
were pleased to learn that it was the same region as my Grandparents had emigrated from!
This added to my interest and I found myself continuing to paint throughout the year, especially
during the long Montana winter nights, much like the originators of this folk art.
ver the next years I was able to attend other classes taught by Gary Albrecht and Karen Jensen,
both accomplished painters. Karen had only recently been awarded the gold medal at Vesterheim
and I was very taken with the Telemark style she taught. I was able to continue painting after
the birth of our first child, but when twins arrived, and then a fourth child followed, the
brushes were shelved.
ow fast forward to 2006 when all but one of the kids was off to college and I was able to
return to Rosemaling. I was so pleased that my hands remembered the strokes allowing the projects
to begin anew. I continued studying from my books and found success, but I know my work improved
greatly when I was able to take Telemark classes from Bjorg Oseid Kleivi. I was fortunate enough
to be her classe both 2008 and 2009.
continue to paint and often wish I could have shown my Norwegian Grandparents my accomplishments.
I attend Scandinavian fairs and art shows with my work and though my painting is appreciated, my
favorite thing in the display is the photo of my Grandma Rolfsness in her bunad, taken in Norway
before she emigrated in 1904.