These are photos 
from our summer workshop in plain air painting
at Tangen farm
- this most lovely place on earth,
where motives abound
and all the noises of civilization
are far, far away.

My daughter Erle is my favorite model.
From she was a wee little baby 
I've photographed and drawn 
and painted her.

She's not always so happy
with me looking at her as a motive,
but she's normally very patient and cooperative
when I say "Hold it right there!"
and run for my camera.

Thank you my sweet! 

These colors
these beautiful flowers
this beautiful life..

My favorite place to be
on a rainy day like today
(or any day, really!)
is in bed
with plenty of work,
good books
and,
of course,
coffe.

Definitely today's moment of bliss! 

The late afternoon sun 
enters our bedroom window
and overflows the room
with golden rays.

So many blessings in an ordinary life!

This is a photo from may
when the Forget-me-nots were in full bloom

They grow in abundance in the forest behind our house.
One time I dug up some roots 
and put them in our garden 
between the other flowers.

Now they feel so at home,
they've taken over the garden completely
and grace us with a carpet of blue delight
for some weeks
every month of may.

Thank you Forget-me-not!

There is so much in society pushing us towards liking what is trendy
- in many cases there is a strict code even for what to think and mean. 
And there is so little that encourages us to think for ourself,
to figure out what is right and wrong.
 
My whole life I've had a clear inner voice telling me what is me;
what I like 
and what I think is right and important in life. 

I've tried to ignore my inner voice and to blend in,
but I've never managed, really,
and to a large degree I've had no other option but to "be me",
to the great sorrow of my family,
in particular my parents
and in part my children,
who many a time have wished that their mamma were more mainstream and ordinary
and less visible.

It is painful not to be like everybody else,
but to me it has been even more painful to try to be 
somebody I'm not.
When I try, 
I feel like I cease to exist
and it feels like my life is without meaning.

Since I've learned to accept that I am the person I am
and that there is no point in trying to be somebody else,
I've felt like I'm on solid ground.
I have me
and I know that I can trust myself.

So it is heartfelt when I say
"BEE FREE"
(and yes, I know that to be is written with only one e..)

The garden is such a joy these days
budding and sprouting all around

Forms, colors, smells and textures
such a delight to the senses
after the cold, white season

Here is a quote from the American poet and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson:

The earth laughs in flowers

Have a floral tuesday!

I love a motive like this 
with its pale palette,

calming to the soul.

Spring is my favorite time of the year.

I love it so much when nature comes to life again
and the harsh, norwegian winter recedes. 
It's such a delight to walk in the garden
and watch the tender, young plants 
stretch towards the light. 

From today's Instagram.