You’ll have to forgive me….in an effort to be really efficient with art this year, I’ve already started thinking about Christmas 2012. Really, it seems like December blurred by so fast last year that I didn’t get much of a chance to enjoy it, so I’m going to be leisurely about it this time around.
My love of Swedish folk art is still alive and well, and you’ll find me at school pick-up reading books about Scandinavia or looking up tomtes and Swedish shops in my spare time. Really, I think I’ve got the Nordic fever.
Something particular I love from Sweden is the art of Carl Larsson. He was an amazing man and an amazing artist. He used his large family and his home as models for countless illustrations depicting holidays or family life. They are always colorful and beautiful and gentle. They are like snapshots into a daily life that was a very happy daily life.
So Carl is the inspiration behind this painting. I wanted to show a tender indoor holiday scene similar to something he might have set up, although my scene is much simpler than his and done in my own particular style. But I wanted that same ‘feeling’ of home and holiday.
This painting is called “God Jul Sisters” (God Jul is Merry Christmas in Swedish) and depicts and older sister lighting the candles on a holiday table while her younger sister looks on. This is another piece I will file away for epic Christmas plans, and I hope you like it 🙂
And speaking of Swedish sisters….I have totally fallen in love with the Swedish sister duo First Aid Kit. I love their music. They’ve been filling my little art room with their beautiful melodies as I’ve painted. If you haven’t heard this one, I think this cover they did of another favorite band, Fleet Foxes, is a perfect introduction….
Til next time,
~H
Sleightholm Folk Art 
I love the Rich Christmas colors and you really captured a moment where memories are being made between the two, I am sure many families will relate to this painting.
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Thank you, Kelsey! I'm so glad you like it 🙂
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So beautifully captured the warmth of the home and the chill of the outside.
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Heather- This painting feels so \”safe\” and \”comforting\” to me as we observe these children and the family Christmas ritual. I just love the colors and the way it feels warm inside while it is snowing outside. Beautiful!So festive and reassuring that life is being passed on in these traditions that have linked generations together. And I am with you on the First Aid Kit! Amazing singing and sound. Thanks for sharing so much in one posting!!
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I can see the Carl Larsson inspiration in this painting and it's lovely. Really beautiful!
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Love this painting 🙂 and Carl Larsson too! ;-D blessings Linnie
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A heartwarming and gentle domestic scene. It's very beautiful Heather.I too love Carl Larsson, my fav of his is The Grandfather.xo
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Your holiday paintings are making me wish it was Christmas time 🙂 They're so warm and filled with character. This one is so beautiful. It reminds me of a doll I had as a little girl. She was an American Girl doll called Kristen, and she was Swedish.
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How beautiful!!!! There is such amazing detail here. And I like learning about cultural traditions – especially around the holidays!
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