Lilla Mona by Erica Stenkrona
Pastels on brown paper, 2015
Inspired by Helen Schjerfbeck
Another year has gone by. I have finished my fifth term at Farigh Ghaderi´s Art Studio. Becoming an artist is hard work. One day a couple of weeks ago I felt overwhelmed, I wanted to quit. I convinced myself that I had learned enough (sic!). It was so stressful to juggle all the responsibilities in my life and at the same time focus on my art education.
I came to my senses and I decided not to quit. I told my teacher I needed to take January off to organize things at home and at work and do some recuperating. I will continue my art studies in February. Wasn't it Winston Churchill who said "never, never, never give up"?
Plaster cast of David´s lips by Michelangelo
This is my first charcoal drawing of a plaster cast. I worked
on it for three months. (the picture above is not the finished drawing). It´s exciting to learn a new technique and I really enjoy working with charcoal. I use Nitram charcoal.
My work space at the studio.
For 8 half-days I worked on a portrait in charcoal of this gentleman,
Zagros Ghaderi (our teacher´s cousin).
When I had one hour left with the model, a small mishap occurred.
I accidentally hit the easel and
since I had forgot to secure the drawing on the easel
it came flying down on the floor, smearing off
the charcoal on my back on its way down.
So I have some restoring to do before the drawing is
ready (besides fixing the anatomy around the root
of the nose and the eye socket). Fortunately I have a new studio at home to work in!
Welcome to my new and improved studio!
Galloping horse made in papier-maché by Åsa Canbäck, 2007
"Våga ge sig i kast" by Shirley Tommos, 2013 (detail)
My favorite artist is Helene Schjerfbeck (July 10, 1862 – January 23, 1946), one of Finland´s most beloved artists. Throughout her long life, her work changed dramatically. Her works span 19th-century historical paintings and naturalistic subjects, as well as 20th-century modernism.
If I could choose any artist that has ever lived to be my teacher I would chose ms. Schjerfbeck. She has an unfailing sense for color and form. She describes form and volume with masterful brushwork. In her later works she simplifies her motifs without losing in color, depth and volume.
Below is a selection of her paintings and drawings that inspire me and help me to focus on my goal to become a skilled artist. Which of her works inspire you?
All the pictures are from the book Helene Schjerfbeck 150 vuotta (150 years)
Huivipäinen tyttö, approx. 1878
(Scarf-headed girl)
Haavoittunut soturi hangella (Kuoleva soturi), 1880
Wounded soldier (Dying soldier)
Tanssiaiskengät, 1882
Tanssiaiskengät, 1939 or 1940
Silkkikenkä, 1938
Tyttö (Punatukkainen), the early 1890s
Bretagnelaistyttö, 1883
Koulupoika, approx. 1885
Poikia St. Ivesin rantakukkuloilla, 1887
Leikkivät pojat (St. Ives), approx. 1888
(Playing boys)
Tytön pää (Punaposkisen tytön sivukova, St. Ives), 1887
Toipilas, 1888 (The convalescent)
(Listen to Ateneum´s audioguide,
you can choose Swedish, English, Finnish or Russian)
Toipilas, 1927
Toipilas, 1927
Toipilas, 1938
Toipilas, 1938-1939
Tyttö veräjällä I, 1897-1902
(The girl at the gate)
Tyttö veräjällä II, 1943-1944
Tyttö veräjällä IV, 1943-1944
Katkelma, 1904
(Fragment)
Tyttö hiekkakuopassa, approx. 1912
Sisarukset, 1913
(Siblings)
Kuvakudos, 1914-1916
(Tapestry)
Sirkustyttö, 1916
(The circus girl)
Tytönpää (Katri Sahrman), approx. 1921
Punainen pää I, 1915
Omenatyttö, 1928
(Apple girl)
Karin, the 1930s
Helene Schjerfbeck, Paris, 1884
Omakuva, 1884-1885
(Self-portrait)
Omakuva, 1895
Mustataustainen omakuva, 1915
(Self-portrait with black background)
Omakuva, mustaa ja roosaa, 1945
(Self-portrait, black and pink)
Viimeinen omakuva, 1945
