Inn Along the Way

It went well! My first artist residency in Maine from August 21 - 26 is in the books, literally, look at my scrap book below. :)

I was pleased to be featured in the Lincoln County News on August 10th, and to have finished this huge 36" x 48" painted "bonad" (Swedish wall hanging) ready in time for the party on Saturday, August 26th. To thank the volunteers at Inn Along the Way and they had a band, and a nice spread for everyone. I worked away and answered questions as I put the finishing touches on this beauty.

The amazing thing was that John - who had lived in the house before it became an inn, and was married to Mary Chapman (the last owner of the Chapman Farm) - was visibly touched by my painting. He could not believe that I had chosen a border that they used to have in the dining room and loved my depiction of the farm! 

It was a moment where I almost got chills to hear him say that they chose the exact border that I had painted for their room and it's no longer there! I just happened to see it on some china in the barn and incorporated it into my piece. Everything included in the painting was there for a reason - the class, the garden, the barn, the inn, the logo, the kurbits flowers (Swedish flowers), and the border. The heart on the wall hangs int he barn, the zinnia is from their garden and the chair with the flowers sits by the  barn door.

It took me a long time to paint that border, but I am so very glad that I did. To hear his stories about the Chapmans and to see his reaction made it all worthwhile! I worked really hard on this painting (bonad). I am so glad that he liked it. I gave my first attempt to the Inn Along the Way so that the volunteers could sign it. A big 38" x 48" canvas now hangs in the barn with their names on it! If they wish they can buy the finished piece as well.

Here I am working really hard here to get it done in time! I got up early most days, and was lucky to work hard and then have fun with my friend Anne who lives nearby. You can see the one that didn't make the cut on the wall below. 

This is the one that I gave to Inn Along the Way that they used during their volunteer appreciation. It shows the inn on top, a table, some kurbits (which I taught other how to make) and the barn on the bottom. I taught a class and gave a presentation on Wednesday, 8/23.

Here are some of the class participants proudly showing their work. They did a marvelous job! Thank you for coming, it was so nice meeting you all!

The class was humming on Wednesday, and then I held a presentation on the history of kurbits. It's quite interesting. Please let me know if you're interested in either. My next class is on 9/23/23 in Amesbury, MA Sign up here.

My rendition of the zinnia from the garden. The gardens and grounds are just lovely! There's a pond and a nice trail to it too which I walked with a new friend and her cute dog Pip. 

This space was originally going to be my work area but they had a lunch there on Wednesday called "lunch bunch" which I was happily invited to join. I set up in the longer barn instead and it worked well with good light and a nice breeze.

The house is now an inn but you can see how it used to be a family home and still feels like one. It's very welcoming and now it's open to all with a reservation. I included this sweet yellow garden cart in my painting because it provided the funds to help keep their mission* alive during Covid. 

This was just one of the very many pretty touches around the barn and the inn that I captured on paper. Thank you Inn Along The Way, I won't forget my stay as your first artist in residence and the many nice people that I met there. 

*Mission

A collaborative community offering older adults, and those seeking temporary relief from the responsibilities of caregiving, an environment of support, purpose, and sustainability in a multigenerational and mutually interdependent setting.

 - from Inn Along the Way's website, please learn more here: https://www.innalongtheway.org/

 

Woot, a successful class! 10% off too!

We had a wonderful time at Kurbits 101! This is my demo on making the details pop.

Eight fantastic people joined me on May 6th - some were artists, others hadn't held a brush in a while, but everyone had fun and were all very proud of their work.

Here you can see how different their kurbits gourds look despite having traced the same swoop. It all come down to the color choices and the details!

I love how this man chose to make his extra-Swedish! Great idea.

The sun was streaming in and I made fika for all to share. We chatted and enjoyed the company while people had some "vetebröd" fresh from my kitchen. Here's a link for the recipe. 💛

A quiet hush crept over the classroom as everyone focused on their art. Fleetwood Mac played in the background, and it was a beautiful peaceful scene - just as I had hoped.

It was an honor to teach all of these artists. I did manage to sneak in a little history, but mainly they made the drives from RI, the Cape, Marlborough and nearby locations to paint!

Happy Mother's Day! By the way, I am offering 10 percent off all paintings at the Grog at 13 Middle Street in Newburyport for Mother's Day in addition to the coupon you got at class! There are many beautiful ones that your mom might enjoy so if you've seen one that you love, or you are looking for a special gift please inquire on my website and I will give you the discount. All prices are listed with my bio on a hook next to this painting "The Empress" Good until May 15. 

I love sharing art with you and ai look forward to the next class. I think freehand flowers is a good next step. What do you think? Will you join me for Kurbits flowers? Be well Swedish Folk Art Lovers and thank you again for coming! Tack! Tina

In the News and New Class in April!

Article in April/May 2023 issue of Swedish Press "Kurbits Painting - Then and Now" by Kajsa Norman

Hej! I have exciting news! My art is going to be covered in next month's Swedish Press! Here's a link to the website this esteemed magazine, North America's only published Swedish monthly. Thank you so much to Kajsa Norman for interviewing me and to Lani A Shumway for the photo of me in the field. I'm particularly proud of my painting "The Empress" which is highlighted above. Check it out here, I used the old-fashioned "kurbits" swoops and swirls in a new way. It is for sale and costs $3,000.

The Empress by Tina Rawson

Also News on the Class Front!! I am offering a second class on this Swedish Art Form at 14 Cedar Street in Amesbury MA. You can come three Wednesdays, and we will have fun making art. I do hope that you will come have fun with us, whether you are Swedish or not. Scandinavian folk art is fun and colorful. You can make it perfect or not, it's up to you. We will enjoy the downstairs space which is full of light and smells like coffee. 

I will teach you about the origin of "kurbits" (Swedish folk art with scroll like shapes) and how to incorporate it into your own art using stencils, or painting free hand. I meet  you where you are in your art practice whether you haven't picked up a brush in decades or are a practicing artist. The idea is to have fun making art together in a calm and pretty place. ~ Tina 

https://form.jotform.com/230295587044157 Sign up here! Only $25/class

Kurbits class next week!

Hej!
Next week I will be hosting my first art party at the new space! It's exciting to say the least, and I've figured out a fun project for it. I've always loved Kurbits, a Swedish folk art. It's going to be fun to share what I know about Kurbits (see here for background on it) and painting with others.

We are going to make a nice little painting using acrylic paints, and stylized flowers. Kurbitz uses gourd shapes throughout so I will some gourds and flowers out that we can explore. I found a great book for some ideas called "Creative Folk Art and Beyond" to which I will refer, and we will practice drawing flowers before using white chalk to add them to our canvases. 

Luckily I was able to test out my ideas on a friend who enjoyed the lesson and took into a a really creative and beautiful direction. I like having the choice for everyone to explore their own creativity and not to be told exactly what to do. At the same time I respect that that's the way some people like to do it, and that it's more relaxing for them that way. I will try to find the middle way that will work for everyone.

Also I was happy to see that the paintings dried in time, we only have two hours so could be a challenge to fit creating, eating, drinking and socializing in the mix. My kind of madness!! :) It's going to be a lot of fun. Contact me if you'd like to do something like this too, 978-395-5567 in Salisbury, MA. Tack! Tina Rawson

Beautiful work by my talented friend