 PORTRAITS |
There is so much more to portrait painting than just the picturing. The artist must depict not just the outside but also what does not immediately show, such as the soul and the inner characteristics of the subject of the painting.
Portraits are most exciting to work with, especially since the genre has a tradition stretching back to ancient times in art history and, in a sense, it becomes a way of communicating with artists from long ago. At the same time, I try to develop and discover new aspects and possibilities of the genre.
Portrait painting has recently started to gain ground again after decades of being considered unfashionable and obsolete. Right about time, if you ask me.
Myself, I have during all my career as a artist often returned to portraying people around me, especially through oil-painting. Friends an family have had to volunteer, if sometimes more or less reluctantly, as models. I never grow tired with it.
To work with portraits on commission is even more of a challenge, since one has expectations to live up to and requests to take into account. Still, all this is filtered through me as an artist, which creates a unique final product.
I have recently finished off a commission work for Växjö University, portraying the resigning headmaster Johan Strete. The uncovering ceremony took place on the 25th of May 2010. Today Mr Sterte occupy the position as headmaster of Luleå University of Technology.
"Lill-Saga” (Little Saga) 10 40x40 Oil on canvas
“Johan Sterte. Portrait” Oil on canvas
“Far 2001” (Father, 2001) Oil on canvas
“Torben 1997” 94x94 Oil on greaseproof paper
“Roland 1987” 78x49 Oil on canvas
“Ola 1994” 55x65 Oil on canvas
“Mats och Ylwa 1989” (Mats and Ylwa 1989) 45x85 Oil on greaseproof paper
“Jag 1982” (Me, 1982) Oil on canvas