Serenity
I woke up feeling so much more comfortable with my life.
My thoughts were talking with me.
Things were falling into places.
My son and I had just gotten back
from four days at my mothers.
Noak was happy and free there.
We slept next to the open window
from where we could see the sky.
There was no sound from the highway.
All we could hear were birds singing to us.
And Noak was excited exploring
my Mothers old, crowded house-
so different from an apartment in the city.
* * *
Jessica
We took a trip to Arvika
to visit my old friend Jessica.
We used to live there in Arvika my man and I.
Six years ago.
Before moving to Stockholm.
When I first moved to Arvika
I looked in a catalouge of local artists.
I looked at their art.
I asked myself whom of the artists
I thought I could make friend with.
I thought Jessica would make a good friend
so I called her.
She came over
and from that moment on
we´ve been friends she and I.
Jessica "waste" no time thinking.
She is always active.
She is the best cook.
She raised five kids.
She works as a midwife.
And she paints.
She is a driven and productive watercolorist.
A frequent exhibitor.
Mainly she has become known for her house paintings.
I love her flowerpaintings.
Since last time I visited Jessica, six years ago, she and her man had buildt a lovely big house next to the lake.
Below is a watercolor of a house in Arvika by Jessica:
Arvika
In the beginning of last century
Arvika became inhabited by many artists.
They settled down around the lake, Racken.
A drive around Racken is a lovely experience.
(A swim in it in the summer evening is too)
The houses.
The scenery.
Much of the art by these artists
can be seen at the little museum of art:
"Racksta muséet".
portrait of Maja Fjaestad 1905, by Björn Ahlgrensson - one of the Racksta artists
I wish to write more about Arvika.
But that will be another time.
Now I will hand over the computer to my son
so that he can wach "fåret Shaun"
8.8.10
Making plans
She asked: "What are your plans for next week?"
I felt speakless. "I don´t make plans" I said.
(Never even though of making week-plans)
I continued thinking of her question...
I like not making too many plans in my everyday life.
It IS a beauty in not knowing what is to be
and to take LIFE as it comes.
Now was summer
and a time just to be,
therefore my plans were none.
But when it comes to my proffession;
plans are necessary if I want to get somewhere!
In my proffession I do make long term plans.
When I am in midst of a commission
I have a job to do -
plans may seem not so necessary to think of.
But NOW I realize that even then I need a strategy -
a plan to work on side by side as I paint.
Those long term plans that I am making
I feel will be much easier to turn into reality
if I brake them down into "nice, handy little time packages of weeks".
Never thought of making week-plans.
What are your plans for next week?
22.7.10
18.7.10
27.6.10
4.5.10
21.4.10
17.4.10
I photographed the sons of this lovely girl today for my photoroject.
If you are here in Stockholm and would like to have me take your picture
I now have a PRISLISTA here.
(You may also click at the picture to view more of her and her sons)
I ENJOYED MYSELF LAST NIGHT READING ABOUT
HOW THE HOUSE BELOW IS BEING WELL CARED OF
BY SOFIA AND HER FAMILY! see here
16.4.10
"Hi Olga, I found your blog yesterday when I was looking for some special information about the Glottra village.
It’s amazing, that "That House" you came across, was "My House" in Glottra in the province of Närke. Glottra is the demographic midpoint in Sweden according to the statistic authorities in Sweden and I can tell you it’s a wonderful place. I lived there with my family for ten years from 1972. Later on we moved to another house near Grisslehamn, northeast of Stockholm, close to the sea. But I didn’t want to sell the school until now after 35 years, because I was so attached to the place and the two school houses. I should like a family like yours take over, but I understand, this is not the right time. It is also a responsibility and you will have to devote much time for big houses like that. Like you I was staying with my family in a suburb outside Stockholm, before we moved to this old school. All the ten points in your wish list were true in our new home. You wrote: "I have learned that school buildings (and chapels) are known for being very well built :)" That is also true. When they built those houses, it took very long time and it was the pride of the village. The niece of Irja Browallius, the famous author, told us when we were going to move: "you will never more find a house like that". Sorry to say, she was true. As you know Irja Browallius was a teacher in the school from 1927-1937. Later on, during the summers, she stayed in a wonderful croft near Glottra called "Svalbygget" (The swallow nest), a house that got its grey patina because the lack of painting. “The swallow nest” is even more beautiful than the big schoolhouses and much more mysterious.
Conclusion: compared to the rather boring suburban life outside Stockholm I recommend you to later move to a nice house in the countryside not too far from a big city. You will be aware, not all things will be better. I can tell you about this another time, if you are interested. "
February 3, 2008 12:39 AM
13.4.10
This is fun!
Thanks to my project - I really get to practice
taking portraits of people these days!
(These girls I photographed this morning.)
And as a bonus I get to find out what are my streangths
and what are my weaknesses in the process.
My streangth is to see
and to work with the picture afterwords.
I need to get better at communicating.
I need to work at relaxing during the photosession
and making sure my models feel confortable and relaxed.
But I guess that the more practice
the more secure I will feel.
Or what do you say?
12.4.10
I asked my friend if she
wanted to take a walk with me in the fog.
Having felt very empty lately
I felt I had nothing special
that I wanted to talk about...
I detintely did not want to talk negative stuff.
She came at ten.
She listened to some of Hans new music.
The sun (wich hasn´t been seen much lately) greeted us as we steped outside!
The walk did me much good!
We saw the lark in the sky.
We walked into a garden up on a hill
where the intense beauty struck us both
and brought tears to our eyes.
I am happy to have this friend.
She is wise.
She loves the good and the beauty.
She shows everybody great respect.
Funny thing is that when there is chaos in my life
I long for her :-)
She has something of pease about her.
And I am so glad she lives within walkingdistance.
That is a luxery!
It didn´t matter I felt I had nothing special
I wanted to talk about.
We had not a negative conversation.
There was life!
I am blessed!
11.4.10
9.4.10
is one of the pictures 
