svartöstan!

Svartöstan, Luleå; my birth place and pride. I´m so happy to visit. Times are same same, but different. Blackis, where my father used to dance and have fun as a young man, is still the place.

Heart warming concert night: First, seven songs in a row in Finnish mellow minor with "Handsome Johnny and the knives". After that Evighetens Orkester, spiced with some Norrlåtar members from older days - progressive folk. And a few bands more.

Listen to Evighetens orkester here...
Norrlåter, sista brevet från Liikavaara-Franz here...

goodbye 2011 - welcome 2012

Some say 2011 was a crappy year but I don't really agree. A lot of confusion and energy much too fragmented in wrong directions, a lot of changes, yes, but not that bad after all.

I welcome the new opportunities that the new year brings :) All the best for us all; Happy New Year! I wish for focus and clarity, joy and light.

One highlight from 2011 above: a long walk in the woods up north a hot Midsummer Day. It's only half a year away.

Fireworks by Cai Guo-Qiang: Black ceremony
Exhibition at Arab Museum of Mosern art in Qatar

cooler

It's getting a bit cooler, I'm afraid most of the summer is gone. There is still more to share; what I will remember from this summer: having lunch in Karin's garden.

Bronwyn Oliver sculptures at Red Bubble
and more here...
I also like her earlier works.

what happened before: midsummer, day after

I told you; Hollsvattnet was selected village of the year, and I agree.

I was listed Inspiring pottery blogger :) by the site Graphic Design Degrees. Read the whole list here...
Will keep me busy a long time.

what happened before: midsummer

I'm back from a trip to the north. Midsummer spent in Hollsvattnet - village of the year in Luleå. Far north, midnight sun, Huckleberry Finn experience. There can not exist a better place to be on a midsummer night.

I have holidays and and am released from office work. Means energy to catch up with what happened in the world of blogs since last year (more than I can manage), sorting photos, reflect, and hopefully more studio time.

I'm hopelessly behind here, from now on posting and reading will be most random in time. Glad to be around again, among all inspiring people. But if the sun shines I will be gone for a while again...

If I was in the south instead, Ceramic dresses
Agneta Spångberg Cocktail Couture at Sofiero

bye bye winter

Last  weekend in Luleå, up north. The frozen river is turned into a winter park, surrounding the city. Snow sculpting event in the park. This is the best time up north, when the light returns and the sun warms your face again.

Here in Göteborg the snow has turned grey and is slowly melting. We've had the first long winter since I moved here in the eighties, loved every minute. I choose snow before rain.

Life has been so hectic first two months of the year. Now I hope to have more time of my own again. And more time to enjoy what I'm doing!

Anna Sjons exhibition at Sintra is over...look here
Anna Sjons webpage

early christmas

The most christmassy photos I found are from last year up north, visiting friends with a good sense of glitter. I'll check out for an early Christmas this year. Wish you all a wonderful holiday, full of warmth, in all ways!

Listen to this voice! Anna von Hausswolf
Good Christmas gift (for Swedes) Frälsningsarméns julklappsapparat

cosy cold

You, who haven't experienced living close to the polar circle, might imagine it's awfully cold and dark. And it is. But it's also incredibly beautiful; long blue twilight hours, sparkling snow and frosted trees. Long icy walk in darkness and the reward of coming inside to the warmth and light. Cosy doesn't cover it. Beautiful doesn't either.

First day back at work was slow and nice. Frequent coffee breaks and long talks, not much work done.

Ango light design floor
Bruce Munro Field of light

cool start

Welcome to 2009! I've been visiting up north, Luleå and Kalix. When we arrived weather had changed and I missed what Sandra experienced, a totally frosted landscape. Look at the trees here!

But we also had nice and lazy days with good friends, short and precious daylight. Cold enough to stay indoors. Christmas holidays are over, work begins tomorrow. Wonder what it will be like when the alarm clock rings that early, the day is turned upside down.

Hope your year started well and let's hope for peace.

Jen Worden challenge deadline January 11, I'll try to make it
In Swedish: Navid Modiri startade "365 saker du kan göra" den 1 januari. Ett 2009-projekt för fri kreativitet, läs mer här, och lämna förslag! Det kommer att bli kul att följa.

not my day

Buildings in Luleå (looking through old pictures). Weird but nice mix, they are standing next to each other.

Been behind the computer all day without achieving much. No yoga class today —either. Kiln not cool enough to open, must wait until tomorrow. One quarrel at work and one at home (both later reasonably resolved). My handbag camera has lost the flash function.

But Andrea finished her work! and describes the feeling so well. Congratulations!
And Studio Violet shop is opened, congratulations and best wishes!

And here is amazing paper cut work Kako Ueda

Hope for a better tomorrow.