February 21, 2021

A circle of power

I have worked with paper figures for some time. They are fun to work with, do not take that long, and I am quite crazy about all the options there are, to use all kinds of paper and cardboard in the process: magazines, advertisements, postcards, newspapers, books, copies and more.

I saw a similar figure in Pamela Hasting's book; “Paper Doll Inspiration”, where slightly primitive figures were put together and connected. I loved the idea, and felt like doing something similar. I decided to make a chain of my ancestors. In the beginning I wanted them all, but they were thinned out over time. It took a long time to find photos and select paper and photos out for the collage.

In my universe, it often becomes a profound shamanistic approach, and the whole process was sensitive and brought realizations and memories with it. During the process, I felt that I came close to the women I decend from, and the different images and symbols, told me stories about my relationship with them, as well as about the life and the connection we have had together.

I switched out several times, and also painted over a single time.

On the front of the figures, there is a picture of the face of my female relations, smiling and beautiful. It makes me proud to know what amazing women have raised me, loved me, shaped me and who are my heritage and ballast.

On the back there is a childhood picture. It is beautiful to experience both the child and the woman, and feel how they live in me, for better or worse. We were all just little children, and totally innocent from the start. We were just born into a world not designed to express the power and wisdom of women.

A common word that I can feel is for all five of them is; “Survivor”. These are proud, upright, beautiful, intelligent, wise women who survived and who express beauty, wisdom and power.

When I felt the 5 figures were finished, I tied them together. Considered who should hold each other's hands. Also considering whether to add my two daughters and my granddaughter? Decided to wait. This is my background, my DNA, my female allies. Maybe my girls even do this work one day?

When they were bound together, I lit a candle in their midst, and blew sage over them, one by one, along with a little blessing. Felt a longing in the heart. How would it feel to stand with them in a physical circle? To feel the unity and the common power?

My mom is dead and my sister is not talking to my dad's family so it remains a dream and longing. However, it felt powerful and genuine to gather them with light and blessing.

Here they are: 

This is my Mother, Eva: Artist, black sheep of the family, intuitive, loner, spiritual beautyful woman. I never stop missing and longing for her.  

This is anty Mette: fierce like the cold winther snow, clear like crystal, sharp, but loving. When I was little, she took care of me, often with som rough love, but present and with chokolate cake!

Funnt thing to see me and my sisters backside of the dolls, little girls, with grandma in the middle. 

My beautyful sister Heidi: artist, mother, loner, stargazer. I love her, but she is hard to come close to. 

This is me, Ann. Artist, spiritual, loner. The five diamonds came to me in a dream. 

Grandma Gudrun: Storyteller, surviver, strong wise woman. I adore her. 


January 10, 2021

"The Creative Guardian" paperdoll

 I am taking a  year long healing doll class with Barb Kobe again this year. You can read more about this here

At the beginning at this long healing proces, we are invited to make 3 paper dolls: 

  • The Creative Guardian, 
  • The Original Inner Creative 
  • The Inner Critic

I used Barb´s pattern for this paper doll, and spent a whole afternoon searching for a photo of myself that looked kind and supporting. My printer is almost dead, so the quality of the print was poor. Somehow it printed my face in blue all the time, so I I took a sheet of watercolorpaper and splashed a lot of acrylic ink on it: blue, green and purple colors. 

The paper doll look´s allright, but I struggle with the face. (Inner critic is jumping up and down). It is over decorated. I mean, I can print a new face and glue it on top, but for now I´ll just keep the first one. 

It is a new face. Much more color. And it looks brave. 

Very interesting....

The text is a page from Louise Hay´s calendar: One positive affirmation a day. I kept them, and use them for different purposes, like this. 

The background is just a acrylic painting on a piece of paper that I´m working on. 

You can purchase the Barb Kobe Inner Selfie ebook at this link: Inner Selfie





November 24, 2019

Songs From Anneland: "Home is where the heart is"

"Home is where the Heart is"
Acrylic painting 30x25cm.
Price: 395 dkr,- plus shipping
I am that sort of person that likes to start projects, but hate to finish them. Well, that is accually not quite true, I just like the start much better than the endings. I get so easaly bored with a project, especially if I am somewhat a bit challenged by it.

When I start a new painting, I have this idea of what it will be like, or perhaps I am just experimenting with a new tecnique. Very often I will get bores and leave it and start something new. This results in me having a lot of unfinished painting and dolls lying around.

I think it will be nice to challenge myself a bit with that. I will try to finish them one by one, and get them out of the house.
The painting on top: Home is where the Heart is is a small acrylic painting and was just an unfinished background I never finished. Now this one is my first to finished in this personal challenge! Jay!

I have a theme I work with, witch I call "Songs from Anneland". The paintings are very often about distant childhood memories, my dream of having my own secret treehouse, friendship, loneliness, sorrow and love. Here are some larger one I´ve painted in the past:
The Price of Solitude
Who will love the rubberduck?
Songs of Anneland

Wanderlust







Today I painted this little painting: "Home is where the Heart is".