A Newsletter of the Illinois Norsk Rosemalers

A Newsletter of the Illinois Norsk Rosemalers’ Association
Avisen
ah-vee’-sen – “The Newspaper”
“Teaching Norwegian heritage
in a contemporary world”
Volume 29, No. 3 Letter from the President
In This Issue:
Next General Meeting
Last General Meeting
INRA Rosemaling Show
Education
Rosemaling Classes
1
2
3
4-6
7
8
Opportunities
Happenings
Information
Club News
“The Way We Were”
Membership Form
9
10
11
12
13
14
Letter from the President
H
ope you all had a wonderful
summer. I just had arthroscopy
on my right knee so I’ve had to
stay low for a while. Many of you probably noticed me hobbling around at
our recent Rosemaling Show. My knee
surgery on July 5th was successful, so
the doctor said, and therapy will make
it good as new! Well, I can only hope.
It was a good
time for me to catch
up on my painting
projects, commission
work and completing
the reports for our
show. We had a very
successful show this
year, even though
the weather was rainy on opening day.
Many thanks to all of those who painted, donated, volunteered, and baked.
Without you there would be no show!
My wish is that one or more of you will
come forward and volunteer to head
up our 2007 Show. I’ll be very willing
to work with you on next year’s show.
Please think about it and call me!
Our September general meeting is
coming up on the 30th. Hope to see a
lot of you there. It’s always fun to get
together for our annual potluck and garage sale down in Newark. Please read
about our upcoming general meeting
on page two in this letter.
Scandinavian Day (VASA Park) date
is Sunday, September 10, 2006. Join us
in South Elgin, IL, and bring along your
painted items that didn’t sell at the
Rosemaling Show. There’s always a lot
of good interest there for Rosemaling.
It’s a great day with music, dancing,
food and other crafts.
A
lso check out the upcoming
classes that Bev Gunderson has
been busy putting together for
us. Some exciting things are happening!
All of our classes are going to be held in
two separate locations – in the Northwest/Chicago area and Newark area.
Take advantage of these classes and use
your chit certificates for money off of
the class fees. Everyone who worked or
baked at the show should have received
a chit certificate in the mail.
I’ll see you in September.
May you always have: Love to Share,
Health to Spare and Friends that care.
Donna Benson
Next General Meeting
It’s a yummy potluck and general meeting!
Saturday, September 30, 2006 - at 10:00 a.m.
at the Firehouse
Newark, IL
Avisen September 2006
2
Meetings
Next General Meeting
Come for a yummy potluck and
informative general meeting!
General Meeting
Saturday, September 30 at 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, September 30, 2006 at 10:00 a.m.
at the Firehouse in Newark, IL
at the fire station in Newark, Illinois
Bring a dish to pass!
Potluck Luncheon
Business Meeting
Garage Sale
Discussion
O
ur next General Meeting will be
held at the firehouse in Newark, Illinois, home of the WOW
(Way Out West) painting group.
We’ll have the
usual yummy
potluck lunch,
so bring a dish
to pass. Show
us your cooking
skills! We always
have a wonderful
variety of great food. Try out those
new recipes on us! Oooh and aaah!
We’ll also be holding a garage sale of
all those pesky pieces of woodenware
Guests are welcome!
that no longer inspire
you, any spare books or
patterns you finished with
long ago, or any other
bits and pieces clogging
your painting room. Bring it
out and sell it! One painter’s
junque is another painter’s treasure!
Of course, we must get down to
business at some point, so we will
be hearing reports of a successful
Rosemaling Show & Sale and other
club matters.
F
inally, we’d like to discuss something that so many painters have
problems with – PRICING their
work. This will be an open discussion, with input from new and
long-time painters. Bring your
opinions and examples;
we need to hear from
all sides.
We hope to see everyone
at the firehouse in Newark.
If it’s a long drive for you,
catch a ride with friends and
come as a group. Enjoy the weather.
Go over to the museum in Norway, IL,
to see the INRA permanent art collection. Make a day of it!
See you in September!
Directions: Maps - courtesy of Mapquest
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address
&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&formtype=addre
ss&popflag=0&latitude=&longitude=&name=&phone=&level=&c
at=&address=&city=Newark+&state=il&zipcode=
Further information (847) 272-2597
Avisen September 2006
3
Meetings
Last General Meeting
the 2nd year now, our group was led by Greta
Sorensen (5) and Amy Southern (7) in their
Norwegian costumes. Weren’t they the sweetest? (I happen to know each very well). They
assisted Cathy in passing out candy. Thanks,
Cathy!
A
fter the parade, we picnicked, sold
rosemaling, danced the Grand March, ate
some more, sold some more and had a
blast. We took in $112 in raffle money, $210
for Ornament of the Year, and $277 in general
Syttende Mai Meeting in Park Ridge
S
yttende Mai in Park Ridge was fun, wonderful, and
gorgeous. We gathered in Hodges Park, setting
up our sales/raffle table, our chairs and food table
in the relaxation area, and walked across the street to
Brickton Art Gallery where we conducted one of our three
INRA General Meetings of the year.
While in the gallery, it’s always fun to see the current exhibit, to hear the bands warming up and see the colorful
costumes walking by as all the vendor’s tables in the Park
are assembled. I always feel it is small town America at
its finest, wishing a big-name magazine were there to
photograph the Chicago area’s celebration of Norway’s
independence. Two of those colorful, gorgeous bunads
walked right into the Gallery as the meeting was going
on. They were worn by our own Margaret Knutson and
Margaret Wix. Unfortunately, they had gotten lost. Sorry,
Margarets!
T
he weather, once again, was beautiful for which
we are always very thankful. For some reason,
the weather always seems to be great. After the
meeting some of us were driven to the beginning of the
parade where we lined up to march while others stayed
back to “man” our sales table, which had constant activity.
Lynn Søve Maxson, the parade
commentator,
always gives the
Illinois Norsk
Rosemaling
Association
(because she
is one of us, I
suppose) an
enthusiastic
introduction as
we walked by
the parade, reviewing stand. In the meantime, our very
own member, Lorraine Straw, has already paraded by as
President of the Norwegian National League, which puts
on this event. We’re proud of you, Lynn and Lorraine! For
sales. Thanks to all of you for being so faithful at our
sales table -- Mary Lou, Lillemor, Dorothy - our Tre Flickas
– (Is that the name we settled on?), the two Margarets,
Holly, Karen, Marilyn, Cathy, and Sue. Congratulations on
a job well done!
In the meantime, those of us faithful in attending this
general meeting need to spread the word on how much
fun it is, doubling the attendance in 2007. Maybe we’ll
talk about that at our September general meeting.
I’m already looking forward to Syttende Mai in Park
Ridge, 2007.
Ruth Haller
Put these
important dates
on your
calendar
Save these Dates:
Scandinavian Day - South Elgin
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Leif Erikson Fest - Elmhurst Public Library
Saturday, October 7, 2006
Chicago Autumn Tour to Vesterheim
October 12 - 15, 2006
Rosemaling Classes with Donna Benson
Oct. 31, Nov. 1 & 2 AND Nov. 4, 5, 6
Scandinavian Heritage Fest - Palatine
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Avisen September 2006
4
Show
I.N.R.A 29th Annual Rosemaling Show
I
can’t believe we did it again! I
thought there was no way to top
last year’s show but guess what?
Once again, we did it! This year’s
show was our most successful ever!
What I mean by this is that our net
profit was greater this year than ever
before. Of course, profit isn’t the only
thing that makes our show successful. All of the members who volunteered before, during and after the
show put in the most ever hours. 728
volunteer hours were accumulated by
44 members and 9 husbands, sons,
grandchildren, neighbors and even
my own brother-in-law. My husband, Bill, just happened to be up in
Canada fishing during set-up. Pretty
fishy indeed! At least he was back in
time for take-down.
It’s hard to thank everyone who
helped but I would like to especially thank the different committee heads for all of their work:
Holly Green worked tirelessly
setting up, taking down, packing
up, and organizing the woodenware
department. Cathy Coy & Marilyn
King unloaded storage boxes on Friday night and Cathy did the decorating of the red swag curtains and the
center pieces on the coffee tables,
she ordered the ribbons, wrote articles for me, and put in many hours
at the show. Marilyn and Karen
Murray set up the head table, got
cashiers to work it, checked pieces in
and out and every time I looked up
they were there working at the show.
Becky Cleghorn did her best to fill
the demonstrator’s slots and when
all else failed, did it herself. Ruth
Haller and husband Ken helped at
set-up and Ruth was in charge of the
Honorable Mention
Helga Schultz, Des Plaines, IL
Raffle and the Ornament of the Year
project (Ken did all of the background
work). Joan Soderberg, with Lois
Dahlberg’s help, took charge of
Husfliden and Lori Karcz filled the
work schedule with monitors. Jurdis
Walton printed up all of the sale
cards and Marilyn King ran off
the registration forms and provided
bulk mailing for us. Karen Murray
spent a lot of time updating all of the
registration forms on her computer
and was a great help at take-down
on Saturday. Winnie Stauffer did a
great job organizing and working in
Kaffekos, and the smell of her lefse
being made in the kitchen was wonderful! There were so many wonderful people helping everywhere. Believe me when I say that everyone’s
help was appreciated and you should
all be proud of our show’s success.
Tusen Takk.
Golden Agers:
1st Diane Olson, Darien, WI
T
hose of you at
the show probably remember how I was hobbling around with
a really bad right knee. My doctor
wanted to operate 10 days before the
show. NO WAY, I said. Well, the operation took place on July 5 and then
I had therapy. My knee felt great, so
I headed up north for the rest of the
summer on July 24. Hope you all had
a restful and relaxing summer.
2nd Margaret Wix, Morris, IL
Donna Benson, Show Chairman
INRA 29th Annual
Rosemaling Exhibit and
Competition Winners
– June 2006
Honorable Mention
Diane Olson, Darien, WI
3rd Karen Sanderson, Muskego, WI
Honorable Mention
Karen Sanderson Muskego, WI
Avisen September 2006
5
INRA 29th Annual Rosemaling Exhibit and Competition Winners
– June 2006
Beginners:
Intermediate:
Show
Other Winners
40th Annual Wisconsin
State Rosemaling Exhibit
Winners – May 2006
Beginners: 2nd Eun-Jeung Lee,
Madison, WI
Golden Agers: Honorable Mention
Karen Sanderson, Muskego, WI
Professional: Honorable Mention
Karen Nelson, Sacramento, CA
and Jean Creel, Sussex, WI
2nd Eun-Jeung Lee Madison, WI
1st Keiko Okuda, Palatine, IL
Vesterheim
National Exhibition of FolkArt in the Norwegian Tradition Winners – July 2006
Blue Ribbon: Christina Keune, Arlington, VA: Hordaland-style ambar
Red Ribbons:
Karen Nelson, Sacramento, CA:
Hallingdal-style bowl
Marie Sollom, Rancho Palos
Verdes, CA: Telemark-style twohandled bowl
Sara Tollefson, Preston, MN: Valdres-style plate
3rd Rebecca Cleghorn, Marengo, IL
Honorable Mention Eun-Jeung Lee
Madison, WI
Advanced:
1st Holly Green, Northbrook, IL
White Ribbons:
Gretchen Carew, Bemidji, MN: Hallingdal-style bucket
Ellen Kerbs, Platteville, CO: Telemark-style desk
Honorable Mentions:
Gretchen Carew, Bemidji, MN: Hallingdal-style cupboard door
Catherine Coy, Addison, IL: Vest
Agder-style compote
Patti Goke, St. Cloud, MN: Agderstyle ambar
Linda Miller, Middlebury, CT: Telemark-style tute Kanne (spouted ale
pitcher)
Best of Show: Christina Keune,
Arlington, VA: Hordaland-style tine
photo unavailable
we apologize
People’s Choice: Norma Wangsness, Decorah, IA: Small Valdres
trunk with Norwegian scene on lid
Honorable Mention Eun-Jeung Lee
Madison, WI
“If you done it, it ain’t bragging.”
- Walt Whitman
Gold Medal: Christina Keune, Arlington, VA
2nd Toshie Kani, Buffalo Grove, IL
Congratulations to each and every
winner and entrant.
Avisen September 2006
6
Show
INRA 29th Annual Rosemaling Exhibit and Competition Winners – June 2006
Show judges: Pam Rucinski & Elaine Schmidt
Professional:
Best of Show
Lorraine Straw, Chicago, IL
1st Place
Catherine Coy,
Addison, IL
People’s Choice
Catherine Coy
2nd Catherine Coy, Addison, IL
3rd Lorraine Straw, Chicago, IL
3rd Nadine Buck, Lisle, IL
Honorable Mention Emiko Inoue, Highland Park, IL
Avisen September 2006
7
Bev Gunderson
Education
INRA Rosemaling Classes - Autumn 2006
Two classes / Two locations
I
t’s been a while since we have
had a Hallingdal style class,
so you’ll want to attend this
one. Donna will be teaching
this class in oils, but you are
welcome to use acrylics.
We are now doing classes in two locations in an effort to reach everyone.
We know some of you have traveled
many miles to get to classes and we
hope this will help build our classes
as well as make it more convenient
for you.
Donna Benson is a Vesterheim
Gold Medalist proficient in many
rosemaling styles. Donna will be
teaching a class in Newark, IL for
those of you who live “Way out West”.
Oct. 31 Nov. 1, 2 Cost $100
Place: Newark Fire Station
Dates: Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday, October 31, November 1 &
2, 2006
Time: 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Cost: $100 per session
Nov. 4, 5, 6 Cost $100
Date: Saturday, Sunday, & Monday,
November 4, 5, & 6, 2006
Place: Norwood Park Home’s “White
House”, 6049 W. Northcott (at Nordica & Northcott) Chicago, IL 60631
Times: 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Cost: $100 per session
bag lunch (There are also a number
of restaurants in the area). Treats are
also welcome. Coffee and tea will be
provided. The project may be picked
up at the general meeting so you can
background it for the class.
If you have any questions please contact Bev Gunderson at 847-390-7846
or by e-mail artbybev@sbcglobal.net
See You There! Registration deadline
is October 28,2006
Bring all your regular supplies and
Coming Spring 2007
“Telemark and Scenes” with Jean
Giese. Mark your calendar for
March. Details at the general
meeting and in a future Avisen.
Registration form: Hallingdal Class with Donna Benson
Your name: _____________________________________________________________________________
Address:
_____________________________________________________________________________
Phone:
___________________ E-mail: ________________________________________________________
Choose Location:  Newark  Chicago
Payment Enclosed: $____________
Please make checks payable to: INRA
Please send checks to the INRA c/o Donna Benson, 4208 Highland Ave., Downers Grove, IL 60515
Vesterheim Benefit Auction Viewing Begins
DECORAH, Iowa Early-bird bidding begins on September 25 for Vesterheim’s Fourth Biennial Benefit Auction. You
may view the auction items online anytime at www.vesterheim.org, or in person from 1:00-5:00 p.m., Monday
through Saturday, in Vesterheim’s Westby-Torgerson Education Center. Everyone is invited to make early-bird bids by
e-mail, fax, or post.
The auction includes over 70 pieces of folk art by the most prominent contemporary artists in rosemaling,
woodworking, fiber arts, and knifemaking. The artists are Vesterheim Gold Medalists, award winners, or instructors.
“This is your chance to own pieces by the best folk artists in the Norwegian style,” said Annette Stahr, Vesterheim
events coordinator.
The live and silent auction final event will be held on October 21 at 8:00 p.m. in the Westby-Torgerson
Education Center. During the live auction, bidders from across the country can join in by telephone bidding. The
evening will begin with a Gala Dinner at the Hotel Winneshiek at 5:30 p.m. A dessert reception will be held during the
auction. Reservations for the dinner can be made by calling the museum at 563-382-9681 before October 13.
“I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.”
Avisen September 2006
8
Opportunities
Rosemaling Classes in Decorah
Telemark Rosemaling on Natural Edge
Bowls taught by Turid Helle Fatland
Transition to Acrylics for Telemark
Rosemalers taught by Karen Jensen
By Rhoda Fritsch
By Lynn Søve Maxson
D
I
uring the hottest weather this summer in Decorah
(and most everywhere else) there was a real treat:
the Rosemaling class taught by Turid Helle Fatland from
Etne, Norway. She is as sweet and kind as she looks in
her photos. The technique is hers, she has developed it
and though she has never taught this method in Norway,
she was most gracious to teach it
at Vesterheim. She taught full
classes how she paints on the
Natural Edge bowls.
t was an exciting and very motivational class for Holly,
Lorraine and me. Although we had used some acrylics
previously, Karen had us use Windsor Newton Finity tube
paints and only water.
We had 3 prepared bowls
to work on – a variety
of sizes, some with the
bark on, and some with
the bark off, but all beautiful as they were. She does
her background in layers while
she adds colors, always keeping in mind the grain of the
wood. The grain of the wood, the colors, and the design
are equally important to have a beautiful finished piece.
We were encouraged to stretch and grow with the flow.
She said, “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 and musical movement. You need
a little opaque along
with transparency to
have strength to hold
the design together.”
T
urid uses paints, brushes, glazes, but mostly paints from
her heart! She stressed how important it is to feel within
yourself how you want to design the bowl and then let that
come out in your work! Her colors are soft, well blended,
and are painted in a spontaneous way with careful attention
to detail. She loves her bowls… and when she sells them,
she feels that part of herself goes with the bowl.
She wanted us to learn and use our time wisely. It did
not take long to know we had
better be ready at 9:00 AM
and 1:00 PM or we have
already missed some
of the teaching.
We did work and
learn, and have
some beautiful
bowls to prove
it!
The class was
delightful.
Thank you,
Turid, for
coming and
for teaching from your
heart! We hope
you come back to
Vesterheim soon.
There’s nothing grate
about sliced cheese.
It was exciting to see her create as she talked, and each
day was a new project. More than a transition class,
it was a design and creative class. Karen learned each
student’s strengths and limitations and was an old fashioned, strict teacher.
K
aren did not
usually sketch a
complete pattern but
started with the center, then everything
else flowed outward
with strong stems
and supports. She
built on simple “s” or “c” embellishment. Her strokes on
one side of her flowers were “Cs” and on the other “Ss”.
When making scrolls or flowers Karen filled her brush
to the ferrule with burnt sienna and double loaded. Her
dirty white usually had a bit of all of her pallet colors.
When she filled her liner, she emptied the tip before
starting. The use of round brushes usually makes the
design more opaque.
We were encouraged to explore new colors and methods
of painting as an exercise in learning. We even did some
finger painting (with eyes closed) and then looked for
a design to embellish with our liner. It was an exciting
exercise.
Karen emphasized that when it comes to entering competitions, traditions still hold true.
I really enjoyed the class and felt that I learned a lot and
improved my painting.
Courage does not always roar. Sometimes, it is the quiet voice at the
end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow.” - Anonymous
INRA library list via e-mail upon request: crazyvera@prodigy.net
Avisen September 2006
Opportunities
9
Area Rosemaling Classes
Newark, Illinois -- Thursdays from 9:30 am to 4 p.m.
Get together to paint every Thursday (almost)
at the Newark Fire House meeting room.
Ruth Ann Dierzen arrives by 9:00 to get the coffee going.
The others start coming by 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. depending
on what they have going on. They usually break to go out
for something to eat, but occasionally someone may make
a pot of soup etc. for lunch. The painting usually ends by
3:30 or 4:00 but there are days when some are still there
at 5:00 p.m.
They just want to get something finished!
Everyone is welcome. They would love to have more
people join in the fun.
If you are interested, it would be wise to contact Ruth Ann
to make sure it is a day they are painting.
Phone 815 695-5757, e-mail radierzen@sbcglobal.net
Chicago, Illinois -- Tuesday evenings from 7pm to 9pm
- Winter session
8 Weeks - beginning January, 2007
Beginning and Intermediate Level Telemark Style
$80.00 with Lorraine Straw - 773-539-7690 lstraw@ameritech.net
Intermediate Level Valdres Style
$80.00 with Bev Gunderson - 847-390-7846 artbybev@sbcglobal.net
Workshop only - This workshop allows you to paint with
other rosemalers. 8 weeks beginning January $50.00
CLASS LOCATION Norwood Park Home - Activity Room
-- 6020 N. Nina, Chicago, IL
FOR INFORMATION CALL: Bev at 847-390-7846 - Lorraine at 773-539-7690
Special events in the area
Chicago Autumn Tour to Vesterheim Leif Erikson Fest 2006 - Elmhurst Public Library
October 7, 2006 from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM
October 12 - 15, 2006
-----
Northeast Iowa Artist’s Studio Tour
Vesterheim Benefit Auction Viewing
Tours of area attractions
Trunk Show
URY
KINGSB
Tour Details:
$549.00 per person
For single supplement add $30.00
Reservation and down payment of $100
Mail reservations to:
Vesterheim Museum, Attention Marla Klocke
PO Box 379
Decorah, IA 52101
Vesterheim contact:
Marla Klocke at klocke@vesterheim.org 563-382-9681 x
- music
- storytelling
- crafts
The Norwegian National League is sponsoring another
Leif Erikson Fest on October 7, 2006 from 10:00 AM until
4:00 PM at the Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect
Avenue, Elmhurst, IL 60126, phone: 630-279-8696.
A program of music, storytelling and crafts provided by
individuals and groups representing five Nordic countries
will entertain young and old alike.
Plan to attend this event!
Elmhurst Public Library
125 S. Prospect Avenue
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Scandinavian Heritage Fest
Presented by: Sons of Norway Skjold Lodge
Sunday November 19, 2006 - Free admission
Bethel Lutheran Church
3839 W, Frontage Road
Palatine, IL 60067 The church is located just north of Algonquin Road on the West Frontage Road.
Hours 12 noon to 4 p.m.
- Craft and Food Demonstrations - Bunad Show - Norwegian food bake sale All items demonstrated will be for sale
Avisen September 2006
10
Happenings
Bishop Hill, IL -
2006 Midwest Folk Festival
Bev Gunderson
T
ucked in amongst the miles of
rolling cornfields in western Illinois, is the little historic settlement of Bishop Hill.
Settled long ago by Swedish
immigrants who were searching out a place to call home,
Bishop Hill still has several of
the Scandinavian touches that
make it a nice place to visit.
Its historic quaintness also
made it the ideal place for
the Midwest Folk Festival to
make its debut, in Illinois, this
past August. The Illinois Arts
Council shares in taking turns
with Iowa and Wisconsin to
be the host for the festival.
More than twenty ethnic and
folk groups presented various
forms of art including music,
hands-on activities, demonstrations, displays and artist-led discussions. With five staging areas going
and lots of good food from the local
people, there was always something
ing. Thunderstorms in the morning
put a literal damper on things, but by
11:00 we were set up in the museum
demonstrating. Then the storms gave
way to a bright sun, the people came
out, and the rest of the day was busy
again.
This spring the INRA was approached
about being part of the festival. It
was an opportunity not to be passed
up. As a demonstrator I was able to
share with people about rosemaling.
I had several different styles and
books on display. Fellow rosemaler
and INRA member Lois Mueller was
also there, representing Wisconsin.
to do. Saturday was a beautiful summer day on the town square while
Sunday proved a little more challeng-
In three years the festival will be
back at Bishop Hill, and I hope we
will have another chance to be there.
It will be well worth the day trip to go
again. Thanks to Illinois Arts Council
for the opportunity.
2007 Show Chairman needed
The Club is in need of a Chairman (or Chairmen) for the
2007 Rosemaling Show.
If one of you would volunteer to head it up, I’ll be very
willing to work with you on next year’s show.
Remember, there are many who volunteer to chair the
various show committees. We just need someone to coordinate it all.
Please think about it and contact me! - Donna Benson
630-963-2717
donnajbenson@comcast.net
design: Holly Green
Membership
NEW MEMBER SINCE LAST AVISEN:
Krista Morrow
OTHER CHANGES:
Geri Paloian
Winnie Stauffer
Lorene Sherpinskas
Russell Wickman
Avisen September 2006
11
Information
Artists’ Materials
Is linseed oil toxic?
Are cobalts and cadmiums dangerous if inhaled?
Do acrylic paints release ammonia and formaldehyde gases as they dry?
Will I absorb cadmium by painting, smoking or eating shellfish?
The Art & Creative Materials Institute, Inc. (ACMI) is a
non-profit association of manufacturers of art, craft and
other creative materials. ACMI has a really informative
web site. It has a strong caution about flake white. You’ll
want to read a lot more at
http://www.acminet.org/Safety.htm#nine
http://www.handprint.com/HP/WCL/pigmt6.html#toxicity
It’s obvious that this site is talking about watercolor paints,
but the information about pigments should apply to any
artist’s paints regardless of the vehicle. Skip down to
“health and environmental issues” for a good read. The site
also touches on “light fastness” and paint ingredients.
True Art Information
http://www.trueart.info/paints.htm
is a site you may wish to search for information about the
difference between volatile (which evaporate into the air
and can be inhaled) and nonvolatile ingredients in paint,
and the hazards (if any) of each.
You can read about cadmium at:
http://www.healthy.net/scr/Article.asp?Id=2049 (opinion)
http://www.cadmium.org/env_exp.html
And read what the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry writes about cadmium at:
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts5.html
Flax seed
The seeds produce a vegetable oil known as linseed
oil or flaxseed oil. It is one of the oldest commercial
oils and solvent-processed flax seed oil has been
used for centuries as a drying oil in painting and
varnishing. The seeds are edible, and cold pressed
linseed oil is suitable for human consumption.
DON’T
DO THIS AT HOME...
Linseed oil from the hardware store is only for painting.
design: Holly Green
INRA members Holly Green, Lynn Søve Maxson and Lorraine Straw collaborated on this special publication.
Norway: an Activity Book for Children, with glossy, color cover, has 32 pages of fun-filled activities.
The black and white line art invites children to color the pictures and solve the puzzles. The book includes
mazes, word searches, and a dot-to-dot, all designed to teach children about the history of Norway. Pages
feature Norway’s animals, the Norse gods, Sagas, Viking explorers, the union with Denmark and Sweden,
and just how Norway gained its independence. The book appeals to young and old alike. All proceeds from
these books will be used by the Norwegian National League to further its educational outreach to children and
support its scholarships for students in grades 1-12. For further information contact www.nnleague.org
Avisen September 2006
“We all get heavier as we
get older because there’s
a lot more information in
our heads.”
12
Club News
An OOTY Report
by Ruth Haller
W
hat’s an Ooty, you ask? It’s an Ornament of the Year. Holly came up with calling it an Ooty and I think it’s a cute, lovable name for a successful project.
Last year was the inauguration of this endeavor and... there is no turning
back. We sold almost all 200 of the fjord horses beautifully painted by you – members
of our Association who have earned a ribbon at
least once in one of our shows. This year, we
sold well over 100 Christmas trees (our 2006
Ooty). In fact, Cathy Coy demonstrated, at our
Show, painting the 20 she was given in her very
beautiful way of rosemaling with acrylics, and
they were sold before the paint dried. All of the
rosemaled fjord horses that had been left over
from last year were sold at our show. I still have
some to paint for future shows.
With new and improved organizational techniques, I numbered and distributed all two hundred 2006 Ootys by the end of our show. I had 6
packages of 10 each that I was not able to give
out by show time, but by Saturday, each of our
2006 Ootys had been assigned.
As the co-coordinator of this project, it is like
Christmas each time one of you turns in your ornaments. It’s so much fun to see the design and
colors chosen. They are effortless to sell (they
do need an explanation) and I am so proud of
our organization that has backed this 100% to
make it the success it is.
$
Dues...
Membership dues are now
due for the upcoming year September 2006 through
August 2007.
Be sure to make your check
payable to the I.N.R.A.
and mail it to
Jurdis Walton
1044 Golfview Rd..
Glenview IL 60025
Applying mascara in a car
can cause whipped lashes.
The following get the 2006 Tusen Takk OOTY Award for the ornaments you so willingly
and beautifully painted.
Marilyn Brooks
Holly Green (20)
Marilyn King
Becky Cleghorn (20)
Cathy Coy (20)
Donna Benson (20)
Margaret Wix
Margaret Knutson Bev
Gunderson
Ruth Haller (20)
Lou Wise
Yuko Nakashima
Nadine Buck
Keiko Okuda
Emiko Inoue
Lorraine Straw
I approached some of our Wisconsin, ribbon-winning painters when they came to the
Show to either bring or pick up items to ask if they would be willing to paint some of
our ornaments next year and each gave me a positive reply. This will eliminate some
of us painting 20. There is a possibility of a Gold Medallist or two in this group, which
is extra exciting. Right now Donna’s 20 and Yuko’s 10 were the only gold medallist ornaments we had so far. When someone chooses one of theirs, I proudly tell him or her
that they have chosen one painted by a Gold Medallist.
A
special, huge TUSEN TAKK goes to Kenneth
Haller, backgrounder extraordinaire. This
project would never happen without you, Ken!
I overheard someone asking him at our local Ace
Hardware what he did in retirement and he proudly
replied, “I’m an Ooty backgrounder.” With that, the
person looked puzzled, walked away, and decided to
end the conversation right there and then.
Well, we have about 75 of our 2006 Ootys still to
sell. Then we can speculate what our 2007 Ooty will be. In the meantime, let’s let Ken
think he is on vacation... for a short time, anyway.
Avisen September 2006
13
The Way We Were
Remembering Gladys
Gladys Rucks Hawbecker was a
founding member of the INRA. She
passed away on April 29, 2006. Her
obituary is from “The Beacon News”
““Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody else has thought.”
-Albert von Szent-Gyorgyi
Avisen September 2006
Membership
Membership Form
Return to Jurdis Walton
Membership – through August 31st 2007
Membership Fee - $15.00
Write check to: INRA
Membership Pin - $5.00
Please fill in the form below and mail to:
Jurdis Walton
1044 Golfview Road
Glenview, IL 60025
Name_____________________________________________________
Address___________________________________________________
City__________________________ State_____ ZIP_______________
Telephone: (____ )___________
E-mail: ___________________________________________________
Member Benefits:
• Informative, fun meetings
• Rosemaling classes taught by
Gold Medallists
• Use of the INRA library
of rosemaling books and patterns
• 10% discount on woodenware
sold at the Rosemaling Show
• Subscription to the Avisen
Illinois Norsk Rosemalers’ Association
Hallingdal detail by Donna Benson
The Illinois Norsk Rosemalers’ Association
(INRA) is an organization with the purpose
of promoting Norwegian Rosemaling through
classes, exhibits and general meetings.
Avisen
Published three times per year in Chicago, IL
by the Illinois Norsk Rosemalers Association.
Publishing Editor...............Lorraine Straw
Layout & Design...............Lorraine Straw
Subscriptions......................Jurdis Walton
Advertising..........................Jurdis Walton
Avisen is sent to INRA members and sister
rosemaling organizations, Subscriptions for
the U.S.: $15.00 per year. Write Avisen,
Jurdis Walton, 1044 Golfview Rd., Glenview
IL 60025
ALL ARTICLES in Avisen, with the exception of those indicated as taken from other
sources, may be reprinted in full or in part
without further permission simply by crediting
Avisen.
DESIGNS AND PATTERNS should not be duplicated
without first obtaining permission from the
artist.
Unsolicited articles and designs are welcome,
but no responsibility can be assumed by
Avisen for them. Unused materials cannot be
returned.
Avisen available in color via e-mail:
This electronic issue is being sent to members who have
submitted their e-mail addresses.
For the following reasons we have begun to send the
Avisen via e-mail
Our printing and postage bills have been climbing higher
and higher.
We will save some trees.
We can use COLOR in our newsletter.
We can share more designs and samples of rosemaling.
The e-mail version can be bigger - and better!
“The art of being wise is the art of
knowing what to overlook.”
- William James
Send your e-mail address to our membership chairman
Jurdis Walton at jurdis@aol.com
Those who do not have e-mail receive the Avisen via the
regular mail. If you DO have e-mail but would prefer receiving the black and white version, please inform Lorraine
Straw at NorskLink@ameritech.net. Please do not request
both versions. That defeats the effort to save money for the
club. The expanded, full color version of the Avisen is available by mail from Lorraine Straw for $15.00 per issue. (cost
of printing and postage)
End Volume 29 No 3
I hope you enjoyed receiving this electronic Avisen.
I welcome your comments and suggestions.
Lorraine Straw - NorskLink@ameritech.net