Reykjavík Tweed Ride - New Painting

Reykjavík Tweed Ride 2013.  One of the best day of the year.  

For the past two years I've taken part in this glorious bike ride of well dressed people, preferably wearing tweed.  The reference for this painting was taken by my husband (I was riding next to him taking a picture with my crappy phone and almost hit that photographer right in the middle of the painting).

Once again I fall for the odd sight of seeing a ship on dry land.  Add the sight of seeing all the tweed-wearing bikers heading towards the ship, the flags, the crazy sky,....it's and understatement saying I've been looking forward to paint this : I've been craving it!

A good friend asked me the other day, "What do you like doing the most", meaning what part of my job I liked the most.  At that moment I was painting this, so the answer was easy; THIS!  Painting this exact painting.  I loved every minute I spent on it, and that's not something you can say about everything you do.  It's a blessing.  I was almost a little sad when I was done with it, kind of like how you feel once you've finished a good book.

Here are a few photo's from the past two Reykjavík Tweed Rides;

2012

2013

 ...and here's the one where I almost hit that photographer!

Next tweed ride in Reykjavík is less than two months away.  Ride with us!!!  

A Painting of Flatey

I'm going on a little work trip this afternoon to my parents cabin in the country.  Just for a couple of days, a much needed time to focus from morning to midnight.  Above are just few necessary items needed when leaving town to work (the chardonnay and chocolate are in another box). 

I've been painting quite a lot lately.  Like always it's the best medicine for everything imaginable!

Here's a painting of Flatey in Breyðafjörður.  I took the reference photo when my brother took me on a flight around the West part of the country.  I've sailed (and flown) by Flatey, but never actually been there.  Something to add to my to-do list now that I feel like I know that little island like the palm of my hand.

Another thing on the to-do list is to paint more from that wonderful flight.

Last weeks event and new illustration: Commitment & Dedication

So this happened last week!  I handed the money I raised for SKB (Support Group for Children with Cancer) to Tjörvi Frey's brothers, Valdimar and Teitur (standing next to me on the photo above) at an event at Reykjavík City Hall.  Gheez, was I nervous or what! But the support from my family and friends who attended the event got me through it (thank you!) and boy did it feel good once it was over! I recommend doing such a thing :)  I slept well that night.  Not that my little friend in heaven isn't always on my mind, but I thought of him even more around this whole event, which felt really wonderful.

This piece here below was at a show on DesignMarch last weekend.  It was a group show where 30 designers where each given one word to illustrate.  The words where the 30 most beautiful words in the Icelandic language, according to a vote held earlier this year.  The word I got was "einurð".  In English it means "dedication" or "commitment".  So it was quite the challenge.  But since I'm not capable of illustrating anything unless there is a story around it (at least in my head), this is what I came up:

  

This gentleman's name is Einar.  He was not a tall fellow, but he didn't let his height get in the way of him doing what he loved the most: to cut out paper dolls.  He spent his whole life with great dedication and enthusiasm to cut out these little creatures, for his own pleasure.  That's how Einar rolled.  That's what made him happy.  Now that's commitment, right?