wrinkles

For Illustration Friday. You know the feeling after a long trip, you feel wrinkled, inside and out... (Try enlarging the image to see the details better).

friday: kolla!

All dressed up and ready to go to Nalen (old jazz-hall) and the Kolla! Awards. Mattias was nominated for The Future in the Magazine Illustration catagory. It was a long day of interesting seminars; Rick Poynor (Eye magazine), australian Rinzen, illustrator Lars Melander to mention just a few. The evening was concluded with the awards ceremony, which we left without the gold or silver prize – this time :)

thursday: manos

We went to Manos, at Överjärva Gård, to see the collaboration between Karin and Camilla. It was great to see the pieces in real life, and to meet Camilla and Karin again, it's been a while. Mattias and I both fell for the small bowl with a black bird and ochre-colored branch.
Överjärva Gård is a charming place. We'll visit again and bring the children along.

primitive

primitive is this weeks topic for Illustration Friday

you know it's spring when...

– someone decides the time has come for the x-mas goat to go
– we can eat out (down-coat and cap on – but still!)
– we look up and discover a remarkable tree we haven't seen there before


Enough said about spring. Here is a print on it's way to Ellen in Norway. Hope you – and especially your husband – like it!

brilliant Sunday

Yesterday was Sunday, and Mattias and I went to Edsvik Konsthall, an art gallery. It was the first time we visited here. It was all so inspiring - the gallery, the art, the weather - it was brilliant!

We were amazed by the large portraits in watercolor made by Lars Holm. He happened to be there (giving a watercolor class) so we had a word with him; a very nice man. Too bad all his courses are fully booked months ahead... We wouldn't mind a little refreshing input, both of us.

The sculptures are made by Lars Widenfalk, I liked very much the fallen angel. Delicate and raw.

springtime!

Brand new freckles Rosa (above) and Olivia (underneath)! The sun is getting stronger but the air is still cold. In school the children play with marbles. The girls received this treasurebox (!) from our nextdoor neighbour. The son is in his teens and has outgrown his so he donated ALL of them to the girls, including the extremely practical box with compartments. Total joy.

Have a nice sunday!

not enough air

The topic for this weeks Illustration Friday: fail.
I almost failed doing this one... I'm posting in the eleventh hour (though it's almost 1.30 in the morning). I'd set my mind on doing this topic, and it wasn't until yesterday evening it finally let itself be made. I tried earlier in the week, but didn't succeed, so I let rest for a few days. It's not one of my favourites, but I'm glad I made it. Now I'm posting it and then – off to bed.

sleepyhead

Very tired dog in the morning. We can't restrain ourselves from smothering her with kisses when she lies in her (!) armchair. She puts up with it for a while then retreats to her office downstairs, to continue sleep undisturbed.

misty morning

The day started out really misty. It reminded me of Italy somehow. Gradually it cleared and we had a lovely day. The whole family went swimming in the afternoon, like we usually do on Tuesdays, but haven't done for weeks, due to illnesses and the like. I must bring my camera sometime; it's a charming place. Now I'm feeling very healthy and relaxed :)

water

Water sure comes in various forms. The day started out cold and clear. Some puddles with, some puddles without ice. Ice in different shapes and forms. Then it started raining heavily, and in between showers, the sun came out. The rainbow that appeared this evening was almost fluorescent!

save

for Illustration Friday.
Time is running out. Will we be able to save the endangered species that are at risk from overfishing?

Mother Nature strikes back

Looking up, looking down.

Yay, snow!! Asta is happy - as always. No matter what the weather is like. In swedish we say "happy as a lark".

spring reflection

It's wet and muddy in the woods but the birds are chirping loudly. Spring is here, even though the air is still ice cold. Asta was very content with the company of both Mattias and myself on the morning walk - I'm finally rid of my cold - she barked loudly to tell everyone who cared to listen.

woolly red drawers

It's a grey day today...

the first crocus

Homage to Tove Jansson for this weeks Illustration Friday ("homage").

Tove Jansson was the creator of the wonderful Moomin family. I love the books as an adult, but feared them as a child. My mother tried to read Moominland Midwinter to me, but it gave me nightmares, so I refused to hear it. I found it dark and scary; Moomin wakes up in the middle of winter, all alone and afraid. Everyone else is still sleeping, hibernating through winter. The furniture is covered in sheets, outside the snow lies deep, everything is very still and quiet. It's as if Moomin is all alone in the whole world.

Then after a while, he discovers that he isn't alone after all, other creatures are awake. And the story continues. And it isn't all scary – it's whimsical, warm and humourous too. But my mother never got that far. I didn't give the books a second chance until I was grownup, but now I appreciate them even more. Tove was a great artist and this is my tribute to her.