Of Art and Ancestry

We received a beautiful Rosemaled bowl for Christmas. Rosemaling, which means "decorative painting" in Norwegian, is a folk art that originated in Norway's low-lands in the mid-18th Century. It is characterized by its flowing, stylized floral patterns. Interested in this art form, I did a little research online and learned of the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina that not only offers Rosemaling classes but also hosts a number of Scandinavian arts, crafts, and cooking classes during Scandinavian Heritage Week. This year's classes include Rosemaling, Viking-style iron work, Scandinavian desserts, Norwegian bentwood box carving, Hardangersom needlework (embroidery worked with white thread on white cloth), and even an introduction to genealogy research and recording techniques.

I don't see myself devoting a week's vacation to Scandinavian crafts, but you never know. The Wrangler is an artist by a trade and a proud Norwegian. A knack for Viking-style iron work could be in his genes.

Art & Soul

I recently read that if you take all the art in your home and put it in a pile, you will discern a common theme. I mentally walked through each room in the house, taking note of each print, painting, and decorative piece. Aha! The common theme for me is trees! I'm fascinated by this revelation because I certainly didn't plan this on any conscious level. But there it is: an abstract print of autumn leaves here, an impressionist painting of a tree-lined meadow there. Even my decorations are tree-themed--pinecones, wreaths, wood baskets. The focal point of the family room is two stunningly beautiful wood walking sticks, handmade by the Wrangler's father, which are displayed on the fireplace mantle. Every guest has immediately gravitated to them and inquired of their origin.

My fixation on trees makes a lot of sense. I'm not super outdoorsy, so I guess I bring the great outdoors inside. The breathtaking view of the tree-filled canyon was a significant factor in our decision to lease the farm. Every day I say aloud how much I prefer the views here to the city skylines and ocean views we enjoyed in our past houses. This makes perfect sense now.

Of course, most of us decorate with a particular style in mind--country, Tuscan, contemporary, etc. Test the art theory by looking for a theme beyond the decorating style. Maybe this theory doesn't always ring true. Some houses are pleasant but more generic; the place could belong to anyone. But the next time I'm in a home like this, I'm going to take a closer look.