Kristin Kjorlaug

Tag: folk art

  • Thomas Hendrich Kjorlaug

    Thomas Hendrich Kjorlaug

    listens to the story of the mustard seed.

    What I see in this painting

    Yes, Thomas would have heard from the big Book like a good Norwegian Lutheran. His grandfather had even helped build the little church building near the farm. It was his sister though, that told Dorothy all it’s stories, and she told them to my father, who in turn told me. 

    My Norwegian ancestors lived on a farm in Norway in a small region called Kjorlaug. The 4 Rosemaling seed paintings are from bits and pieces of stories my Norwegian grandmother told. Thomas was my great grandfather.

    Norwegian Rosemaling is an ancient Norwegian folk art taught to me by my grandmother. 

    What is underneath this painting

    “He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.””

    Matthew 13:31, 32 NIV

    What will it look like to be a follower of Jesus? A tiny seed, Jesus says, that’s what it will look like. As it grows it will weave it’s heart shaped leaves in and through and around all the empty places until it can’t be gotten rid of. You may cut down one part while another part is vivaciously climbing in a place you can’t reach—a huge nuisance weed to some but a haven to others. 

    This art series began on a rabbit trail I was trekking down to find trees in the Bible (there are so many!!!) I love trees, but four arrested my attention and became the subjects for this Rosemaling seed series. Trees are a picture God often uses to describe humans and these four—the date palm, the almond tree, the oak, and the mustard— are how God pictorally described the righteous (those who follow Him). Now when I look at these trees, I feel seen and described by my God. The trees were brought back to seed form in the creation of these pieces because spring was coming when I made them, and I was so looking forward to it. —Kristin

    8×10 inches. Watercolor & Ink
    Part of a series of 4 seeds paintings

    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 Thomas Hendrich or the Seed Series.

  • Dorothy [SOLD]

    Dorothy [SOLD]

    “Name your paintings”

    they said, but naming something is one of the hardest tasks I’ve ever taken on as a human. It is also a great honor—one I will hold respectfully every time a new thing comes to life and needs naming.

    It is with great nostalgia that I begin by introducing you to a painting named “Dorothy.” Painting for me began with Dorothy, my grandmother. She was the first real artist I knew and the first to sit and paint with me for hours upon hours. She was the first to make me practice a paint stroke a hundred times and the first to introduce me to exotic names like burnt umber and raw sienna.

    This painting began with a bright red petaled flower reminiscent of my grandmother’s gorgeous red hair and firey spirit. She was power and grace. I surrounded the flower with the Norwegian Rosemaling paint strokes that she taught me. Rosemaling is an ancient folk art that Dorothy’s family brought over from Norway a generation before her. She studied the art regularly and adored her Norwegian heritage, so much so that she took on the family farm name—Kjorlaug— as her artist name.

    I used watercolor as my medium instead of the oil paint she taught me with, because I’m exploring and trying to find my art loves. Watercolor is fast becoming a favorite.

    It is a joy to know that this painting found a home January 2022.

    And so it begins…

    KK