Classes in Decorah
Rosemaling
Register early with your $50 deposit. A minimum number of registered students is required for a class to be held.
Rosemaling in Os, Vest-Agder, and Rogaland Styles
Trudy Peach
The main project for this class will be a 26 x 22 inch mirror in the
Os style. There also will be other smaller projects in the Rogaland
and Vest-Agder
styles. Instruction will be in oil paint, but students are welcome
to use acrylic. (Some of the Os colors are more difficult to achieve
in
acrylic paint.) Students are encouraged to bring designs or pieces
to class that
they would like help with. Trudy also will address any specific design
questions.
This class will require an additional fee for materials.
Level of instruction: intermediate to advanced.
June 2-6 | $300 members / $350 non-members
Trudy Peach is a Vesterheim Gold Medalist and a certified painter with the Society of Decorative Painters. She uses old pieces of rosemaling to influence her designs in Rogaland, Vest-Agder, and Os styles. Trudy shares these ideas with students to help them develop an awareness of how to interpret designs. She has taught throughout the United States.
Rosemaling—Rogaland Project
Ruth Green
This will be a project class in the Rogaland style. The class will
be taught in oils, and patterns for the projects will be supplied.
This
class will
require an additional fee for materials.
Level of instruction: intermediate to advanced, some painting experience
is expected.
June 6-8 | $180 members / $200 non-members
Ruth Green is an established Rogaland painter, and has numerous publications that are available in the Vesterheim folk-art supply store. She is a Certified Decorative Artist with the Society of Decorative Painters and is known for her workshops at their conferences.
Telemark Rosemaling in Acrylics
Karen Jenson
In this class, students will study flowers and their outlining
on several background colors; lettering; and composition.
Karen advises,
“Feel
the motion of the design and flow with the movement. Don’t
think of flowers,
but think of filling space. The space determines the shape
of flowers. Look for transparency to have strength to hold the
design together.”
Karen is
a master in the art of lettering. Time will be spent researching
and critiquing the techniques of the old masters by studying
their work
in the Vesterheim
collection. Students will sketch and paint from museum pieces.
They will work on backgrounded panels or Bristol board. Karen
uses only
Winsor-Newton Finity tube paints and water. This class may
require an additional fee
for materials.
Level of instruction: intermediate to advanced.
June 9-13 | $300 members / $350 non-members
Karen Jenson has taught classes all over the United States. Her work has been displayed in galleries and museums across the United States, and she was awarded a folk-art apprenticeship by the National Endowment for the Arts. Her work was featured in the exhibition Norwegian Folk Art: The Migration of a Tradition, curated by Marion Nelson, former Vesterheim executive director. Karen is a Vesterheim Gold Medalist.
Rosemaling Techniques for Fabric—Acrylics Only
Betty Dowe
Fabric painting is one of Betty’s favorite art forms.
Students who complete this class will have ideas for
clothing, napkins,
and place
mats, as
well as squares for quilts, wall hangings, or pillow
covers. Patterns are used
and students will learn step-by-step instructions, including
how and where to place a design on clothing. Wear a
hand painted item
and
be ready to
take orders. You, too, can be a conversation piece.
The cloth will wear out before the painting, if done properly.
Paints
furnished.
Level of instruction: all levels.
June 28-29 | $120 members / $150 non-members
Betty Dowe and her family lived in Decorah for 20 years, and in 1978 she took her first rosemaling class with Ruth Green. In 1980 she started teaching adult education classes in Decorah. Since then she has taught in Florida and Minnesota. Betty started serious fabric painting in 1993 with Jo Sonja Acrylics, and she began painting on glass, tile, and metal in 1996. She has published many articles about rosemaling. She was editor of the Vesterheim cookbook Rosemalers’ Recipes, and for eight years she was the editor of the Vesterheim Rosemaling Letter until moving to Florida. Betty is a member of the Society of Decorative Painters and, while in Florida, served as president of FSDA for two years. She used to paint in oils, but due to allergies, she now uses acrylics.
Beginning Telemark Rosemaling
Patti Goke
Learn the transparent style of Telemark in a fun and
nurturing environment. No matter what style of rosemaling
you ultimately
paint, this class
will give you the necessary building blocks to paint
most styles of rosemaling.
Instruction will be given in oils, but students
may also use acrylic paints. This class is unique in that
you will
be able
to choose
the schedule and
painting experience that best suits you. This class
may require an additional fee for materials.
Option 1: five days
In the first three days of this class, through plenty
of painting exercises, students will learn or review
the basic
building
blocks of Telemark
rosemaling, including scrolls, flowers, and line
work. In the last two days, participants
will be able to put their newly learned skills into
practice by painting a simple wood project of the
instructor’s choosing.
Level of instruction: all levels.
July 12-16 | $300 members / $350 non-members
Option 2: three days
This option is for those who may not have the time
to spend five days away from home, but still want
to learn
the basics
of Telemark
rosemaling.
Through
plenty of painting exercises, students will learn
the basic building blocks of Telemark rosemaling,
including
scrolls,
flowers, and
line work.
Level of instruction: beginner.
July 12-14 | $180 members / $200 non-members
Option 3: two days
This option is for those who have already had a
beginning rosemaling class and would like to work
on, and quite
possibly finish,
a simple wood project
of the instructor’s choosing.
Level of instruction: basic skills are necessary.
July 15-16 | $120 members / $150 non-members
Patti Goke has been rosemaling for 18 years and has taken many classes with American and Norwegian artists. One of her rosemaling experiences was working with Vesterheim Gold Medalist Karen Jenson through a grant received from the Minnesota State Arts Board. Patti has been involved with the St. Cloud Area Rosemaling Association and the Terrace Mill Foundation Rosemaling Association. Patti is a Vesterheim Gold Medalist.
Beginning Telemark Rosemaling
Eldrid Arntzen
This class is for beginner students and students
interested in a thorough immersion in strokes,
embellishments, detail, and understanding
of
the construction of Telemark designs. Mastery
of these
rosemaling basics
are a good preparation
to paint Telemark or any other rosemaling style.
Students will work
on 6-8 inch, round designs. This class may require
an additional fee for
materials.
Level of instruction: all levels.
July 19-23 | $300 members /$350 non-members
Eldrid Arntzen grew up in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, the daughter of Norwegian immigrants. She started to paint at the age of 10 and later traveled to Norway many times to study with masters of rosemaling. In addition, she took lessons from master artists at Vesterheim. Eldrid specializes in three rosemaling styles—Telemark, Hallingdal, and Valdres. Her work has received much acclaim and has been featured in numerous exhibitions, including Living Legends: Connecticut Master Traditional Artists and Norwegian Folk Art: The Migration of a Tradition. Eldrid also has been awarded a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). This honor is the most prestigious award given to folk and traditional artists in this country. She is a Vesterheim Gold Medalist.
Valdres-Style Rosemaling
Eli Sælid - Norwegian Instructor
In this class, students will work on their own projects of choice. Eli
will bring her own patterns in the beautiful rural Valdres style to
share with
students. Eli’s painting is rich in color and she has a flowing, elegant
style with beautiful lettering. This class may require an additional fee
for materials.
Level of instruction: intermediate to advanced.
July 12-16 | $395 members /
$495 non-members
July 19-23 | $395 members /
$495 non-members
Figures from Telemark and Hordaland
Christina Keune
“Figures don’t lie . . . in rosemaling.” These uncomplicated figures ride
magnificent horses, join weddings, and tell Bible stories. Real
and imagined animals
roam Norway’s
painted walls
and furniture. Simply interpreted, they will
bring more traditional Norwegian design to your work.
Students will explore the design
elements and figures
of Telemark and Hordaland to develop unique
compositions in either one or both styles. Small introductory
patterns will
be available
as well
as larger
case study formats. This class may require an
additional fee for materials.
Level of instruction: all levels.
August 4-8 | $ 300 members / $350 non-members
Christina Keune, a professional craftswoman since 1983, has demonstrated and lectured about rosemaling at craft and ethnic festivals, and at classes in Washington, D.C., New Jersey, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. She holds a B.F.A. from George Washington University and has pursued independent studies with master painters of rosemaling in the United States and Norway. She has received the Crystal Award from Gammelgarden Museum in Scandia, Minnesota, and is a Vesterheim Gold Medalist. Christina has a studio in Arlington, Virginia.
Beginning Telemark Rosemaling
Joanne MacVey
Telemark is one of the best-known styles of
rosemaling and is usually asymmetrical with
free-flowing
scrolls and fantasy
flowers.
Joanne
will teach the basics
of paint mixing, wood and background preparations,
brush care, stroke work, design elements
(scrolls, flowers,
line work),
and finishes.
Students will
begin with painted tagboard and then paint
a simple project on wood. The class will
be taught
in oils
using walnut
alkyd medium
and odorless
turpentine.
Anyone wishing to paint in acrylics is welcome,
but teaching will be in oils only. This
class may require
an additional
fee for
materials.
Level of instruction: beginner.
August 15-17 | $180 members / $200 non-members
Joanne MacVey is an internationally recognized teacher, author, and publisher who has studied with numerous Norwegian and American rosemalers in both the United States and Norway. Her work has also earned awards from the Society of Decorative Painters and Sons of Norway. In 2004 she was honored at a White House reception as one of the artists chosen to paint ornaments for the White House Christmas tree. She is a Vesterheim Gold Medalist.
Valdres Rosemaling
Nancy Schmidt
This class will emphasize an understanding
the Valdres style and the technique of
painting it. The Valdres
style is composed
of
many flowers
as well
as scrolls and scenery, and students will
learn
how to do both scrollwork and
scenery. Students will learn the basic
elements of antiquing, and the instructor will demonstrate
antiquing
in both
oils and acrylics.
There
will not be
a class project. Students will bring objects
to paint, as large as they want. Nancy
has a number
of patterns
and will
also make
designs
for
students. This class is meant to be a
learning experience, not just learning a technique.
This class may require an additional fee
for materials.
Level of instruction: all levels.
August 15-19 | $300 members / $350 non-members
Nancy Schmidt graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a degree in art education. She has worked in advertising design. Nancy teaches rosemaling in the United States and Japan, continues to study rosemaling in the United States and Norway, and paints in many rosemaling styles. She is a Vesterheim Gold Medalist.
Painting On Glass—Acrylics Only
Betty Dowe
Painting on glass, tile, or metal is
an exciting way to use strokes to
embellish and decorate
your home
or for
gift giving.
This class
will begin
with a
simple project of two-color sponging
on
a clear vase. Then students will practice
flowers
and
strokes on
an 8 1/2 x
11 inch piece
of glass. We
will finish the day with a glass or
tile project. Betty has many ideas
to share.
Patterns and Jo Sonja paints will
be furnished.
Level of instruction: all levels.
August 23 |
$60 members /
$70 non-members
Betty Dowe and her family lived in Decorah for 20 years, and in 1978 she took her first rosemaling class with Ruth Green. In 1980 she started teaching adult education classes in Decorah. Since then she has taught in Florida and Minnesota. Betty started serious fabric painting in 1993 with Jo Sonja Acrylics, and she began painting on glass, tile, and metal in 1996. She has published many articles about rosemaling. She was editor of the Vesterheim cookbook Rosemalers’ Recipes, and for eight years she was the editor of the Vesterheim Rosemaling Letter until moving to Florida. Betty is a member of the Society of Decorative Painters and, while in Florida, served as president of FSDA for two years. She used to paint in oils, but due to allergies, she now uses acrylics.
Valdres Rosemaling
Sara Tollefson
Valdres rosemaling consists of bouquets
of flowers, either grouped on
a stem, gathered in a vase,
or hung from a
ribbon/rope. The
style is
further identified by long S-shaped
leaves. The class will emphasize
traditional design and technique.
Two or three
projects will be presented. The
class will be
taught
in oils,
but acrylic
painters
are very welcome.
This
class may require an additional
fee for materials.
Level of instruction: some painting
experience is helpful.
September 5-7 | $180 members / $200 non-members
Sara Tollefson has studied for the past 24 years with many Norwegian and American painters and is a ribbon winner in rosemaling at Vesterheim’s National Exhibition of Folk Art in the Norwegian Tradition. She has also studied in Norway in conjunction with Vesterheim-sponsored folk-art tours. Sara has taught rosemaling in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin for the past 15 years and recently retired after 17 years as the editor of Vesterheim’s Rosemaling Letter.
Glazing Techniques and Rosemaling on Natural-Edged Bowls
Turid Helle Fatland
In this class, Turid will teach her glazing technique combined with rosemaling
on bark-edged bowls and plates. She will place emphasis on unique backgrounds
and focus on how to fit a design to the shape of the bowl. She will also
give basic rosemaling design instruction. The class will be enjoyed by
both new and returning students. “In 2006 I had the great honor and
joy to be
a teacher for two classes at Vesterheim.,” Turid explains. “They were
the first to learn my new technique on bark-edged bowls. Then in 2007
I taught
American rosemalers in Bø, Norway. I told them to feel the wood, and to
give life to the bowl by using the heart and hand. I think the students
have got the same enthusiasm for this way of painting as I do. I have
been so inspired to meet and work with all these clever rosemalers.
I am so impressed
at the high level of the students! This is only the beginning. There are
so many possibilities. In October I will be back at Vesterheim teaching
my technique. It will be a great joy to bring more of my enthusiasm for this craft again. I am looking forward to seeing many
of my rosemaling friends and to have the opportunity to meet new ones.”
This class will require an additional fee for materials.
Level of instruction: intermediate to advanced.
October 20-24 | $395 members / $495 non-members
October 27-31 | $395 members / $495 non-members
Turid Helle Fatland studied weaving and embroidery at the Husflid School in Stord, Norway, and then she studied rosemaling in Sand i Ryfylke from 1976-1977 with Bergliot Lunde. Today, Turid has a studio in Etne, Norway, where she paints original pieces and does restoration work. She paints in the Rogaland and Telemark styles. She enjoys creating her own designs and decorating on nontraditional forms. Turid is known for her good color composition, brushstrokes, and use of harmonious colors. She is also exemplary in script and likes small, detailed work. In 2004, Turid did restoration and renovaton work on Christian symbols in the Sandeid Church. Turid is featured in the book, Rosemaling, by Lars Stana. She taught at Vesterheim in 2006 and in Norway for two Vesterheim Folk-Art Tours in 2007. Turid loves teaching and to see each student stretch a little further each day to reach greater goals and use their potential.
Agder-Style Rosemaling—All Levels
Patti Goke
Vest-Agder and Aust-Agder are
styles that have become popular
with some
rosemalers in the last
several
years. The Agder
styles are
characterized by LOTS of teardrops,
the
use of cartouches, symmetry,
and split painted flowers.
Students will look
at early examples
of this style of rosemaling.
The
instructor will have
two
or three projects
that
students can
paint while learning the style
elements. For
those who want to try their
hand
at designing,
help will be given. Even if
you choose not to continue
painting this style,
many of
its techniques
can
be used to improve
one’s painting
of other
styles. This class may require
an additional fee for materials.
Level of instruction: all
levels.
October 27-31 | $300 members
/ $350 non-members
Patti Goke has been rosemaling for 18 years and has taken many classes with American and Norwegian artists. One of her rosemaling experiences was working with Vesterheim Gold Medalist Karen Jenson through a grant received from the Minnesota State Arts Board. Patti has been involved with the St. Cloud Area Rosemaling Association and the Terrace Mill Foundation Rosemaling Association. Patti is a Vesterheim Gold Medalist.
Rogaland Christmas Tree—Acrylics Only
Lois Mueller
Usher in the Christmas season
at Vesterheim by painting
a Christmas tree in the
Rogaland style
of rosemaling.
The instructor
will
teach the basics
of blending, color placement,
brush
strokes, and color mixing.
This class is for acrylics
only.
This class
may require
an additional fee for
materials.
Level of instruction:
all levels.
November 7-9 | $180 members
/ $200 non-members
Lois Mueller has been rosemaling since 1977 and has taught in the United States and Canada. A Vesterheim Gold Medalist, Lois enjoys painting many styles of rosemaling. She has written seven rosemaling instructional books. In 2004, she painted a violin as the President’s Award for the Society of Decorative Painters, which was featured on the front cover of the September/October 2004 issue of The Decorative Painter. She was also honored in 2004 at a White House reception for artists who painted ornaments for the White House Christmas tree.