Kristin Kjorlaug

Author: Kristin Kjorlaug

  • To er Bedre [SOLD]

    ”Two is Better” in Norwegian

    5×7 inch. Watercolor & Ink

    I took one of the writhing animals from a carved Viking era wall and turned it into two intertwined sea dragons, tipping my hat to rosemaling’s origins and naming the work “To er Bedre” because it’s still true today, “two is better” as Ecclesiastes wisely encouraged in its proverb on humans.

    If the title does not say [SOLD] then this piece is still available. I am willing to do prints of [SOLD] artwork only. Contact me if interested in To er Bedre.

  • Myk Vind 3

    ”Soft Wind” in Norwegian

    5.5×4 inches Watercolor

    Rosemaling is the folk art that moves like the wind, unbound, flowing as it wills. Every Rosemaling piece I paint is shifting as I create, then landing in a different place than I expect.

    If the title does not say [SOLD] then this piece is still available. I am willing to do prints of [SOLD] artwork only. Contact me if interested in Myk Vind 3.

  • An art with Viking roots

    An art with Viking roots

    Norwegian Rosemaling hails from the writhing animals and ribbons found on Viking ornamentation, weapons, boats, and structures. Spending extensive time in carving, the arts thrived amongst the Vikings as they picked up new patterns and ideas in each region they pillaged, covering their every possession with heavy ornamentation. These designs gave inspiration to Rosemaling (“flower painting” in Norwegian), and like the Vikings, painters covered walls, doors, ceilings, and any wood they could find in colorful brush strokes, pushing back the bleakness of the long winters.

    This is the origin story of Norwegian Rosemaling. It is my hope to keep this art tradition alive by sharing its story at art events like the one I’ll be at on Saturday in Kutztown, PA. So much more to these brushstrokes, friends.

  • Norwegian Cupboard #2

    The desire to rosemal all my walls, doors, and ceilings prompted me to create a series of designs I can envision on cupboard doors in an old farm house in Norway. Rosemaling represents to me creativity in poverty—to meander down an old barn wall with paint strokes is an act of resistance against the darkness of that room. For this reason, Norwegian Rosemaling keeps coming out of me every time I sit with my brush. It is a gift, a sword my Norwegian grandmother gave me to fight the long nights with. 

    Watercolor and Ink. 8×12 inches.

    Norwegian Cupboard 2
    8×12 inches
    Watercolor & Ink

    If the title does not say [SOLD] then this piece is still available. I am willing to do prints of [SOLD] artwork only. Contact me if interested in Norwegian Cupboard 2.

  • Norwegian Cupboard #1 [SOLD]

    In the old Norwegian homes they painted on every door frame and cupboard, making the mundane flourish for all who lived there.

    Watercolor and Ink. 8×12 inches.

    Norwegian Cupboard #1

    If the title does not say [SOLD] then this piece is still available. I am willing to do prints of [SOLD] artwork only. Contact me if interested in Norwegian Cupboard 1.

  • Quilted Rosemaling [SOLD]

    The intertwining of two grandmothers — one Swedish seamstress & one Norwegian painter, the stitches and strokes of their lives quilted into mine.

    Displayed and sold at the Square Halo Gallery, Lancaster, PA, for the Inklings Conference “Ordinary Saints.”

    Quilted Rosemaling 7×7 inches. Watercolor & Ink

    If the title does not say [SOLD] then this piece is still available. I am willing to do prints of [SOLD] artwork only. Contact me if interested in Quilted Rosemaling.

  • Brita [SOLD]

    Brita Olsdatter was part of the farm community around Kjorlaug, Norway and one of the women in my family line that made a way for my existence. She was my great great great grandmother. Speaking her name with my art means she was not forgotten. I honor her existence and enjoyed imagining her story, gifting, and breath in Norway. —Kristin

    Brita Olsdatter 5×5 Watercolr & Ink

    If the title does not say [SOLD] then this piece is still available. I am willing to do prints of [SOLD] artwork only. Contact me if interested in Brita.

  • Lukris [SOLD]

    By Kristin Kjorlaug

    Watercolor and Ink – 4×4 inches

    Lukris Von Krog Pederadotter was part of the farm community around Kjorlaug, Norway and one of the women in my family line that made a way for my existence. She was my great great great grandmother. Speaking her name with my art means she was not forgotten. I honor her existence and enjoyed imagining her story, gifting, and breath in Norway. —Kristin

    Lukris 5×5 inches. Watercolor & Ink

    If the title does not say [SOLD] then this piece is still available. I am willing to do prints of [SOLD] artwork only. Contact me if interested in Lukris.

  • Eliza [SOLD]

    By Kristin Kjorlaug

    Watercolor and Ink – 4×4 inches

    Eliza Torsen was part of the farm community around Kjorlaug, Norway and one of the women in my family line that made a way for my existence. She was my great great great grandmother. Speaking her name with my art means she was not forgotten. I honor her existence and enjoyed imagining her story, gifting, and breath in Norway. —Kristin

    Eliza

    If the title does not say [SOLD] then this piece is still available. I am willing to do prints of [SOLD] artwork only. Contact me if interested in Eliza.

  • Synneva [SOLD]

    By Kristin Kjorlaug

    Watercolor and Ink – 4×4 inches

    Synneva Pedersdotter was part of the farm community around Kjorlaug, Norway and one of the women in my family line that made a way for my existence. She was my great great great great grandmother. Speaking her name with my art means she was not forgotten. I honor her existence and enjoyed imagining her story, gifting, and breath in Norway. —Kristin

    Synneva

    If the title does not say [SOLD] then this piece is still available. I am willing to do prints of [SOLD] artwork only. Contact me if interested in Synneva.