May 14, 2014 at 2:24 p.m.
Learn Norwegian rosemaling at School of the Arts
Learn Norwegian rosemaling at School of the Arts
By By Daryl Youngstrum-
Norsetter will teach a Norwegian Rosemaling course at School of the Arts at Rhinelander July 19 to 23 and believes the sweeping S's and C's in this painting style are the building blocks she will help her students learn. "Rosemaling is a folk art," she said. "As such, it seems friendlier and more accessible to people who want to paint but may not draw well."
"Its principles are easy to grasp in a two-day seminar," she adds and, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, notes "Learning rosemaling can add to a person's repertoire for use in coping with Wisconsin's unpredictable winters."
Rosemaling means "rose (or more broadly) flower painting" in Norwegian, and the form dates back to 1750 in lowland regions of Norway. At the time the Baroque and Rococo styles were being introduced to the upper classes, and artists who specialized in rosemaling often came from the poorer classes in the countryside. Some of these artists traveled from county to county painting their designs on churches, homes and furnishings for a commission or, often, for room and board.
Rosemaling went out of style in Norway from about 1860 to 1870 but was sustained in America when Norwegian immigrants called attention to painted trunks and other objects brought to America by their ancestors. Per Lysne, who was born in Norway and learned to rosemal there, is credited with inspiring this American revival. Lysne left his job as a wagon painter in Stoughton and began selling rosemaled items to feed his family during the Great Depression, and the revival began.
As a folk art, rosemaling has evolved in many directions with styles identified with the Norwegian counties where they were first developed. Thus, identifications such as Telemark, Hallingdal, Valdres, and Rogaland are often used to describe the specific style of a work.
"Rosemaling is about color harmony," Norsetter said, "a pleasing design using traditional shapes -- mainly 'C' shapes, 'S' shapes, and linework -- and incorporating a specific regional style in the design one paints. There are many artists painting within this framework and putting their unique spin on the pieces they paint."
"Even though they paint the same styles as others, their work is often easily distinguishable. Students should come to this class with an open mind, a can-do attitude, a willingness to try something new, and a desire to put their personal stamp on a piece of folk art."
"I'd like for the students to learn a little of the history of rosemaling and the basics of recognizing a few specific styles," she said. "I'd like for them to see the artist in themselves and fan the flame of creativity. Artists are constantly learning from one another; classes are a great way to kick-start that journey."
Norwegian Rosemaling is offered Saturday and Sunday, July 19 and 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Registration information for this and other School of the Arts classes is posted on the University of Wisconsin-Madison Continuing Studies website, soawisconsin.org, and may also be obtained from the registration desk, (608) 262-2451.
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