ROSEMALING

by Amy Bloom & Signe Andersen Kulp

My grandmother, 79 years old, and I, 25 years old, worked on this project as a team.

The piece is called "Rosemaling, a Norwegian Folk Art." Norwegian Rosemaling is a distinctive folk art unique to Norway. "Rose" means decorative and "Maling" means painting. There are no actual roses painted but mostly decorative scrolls based on fantasy or imaginary flowers. This style of painting was practiced mainly during long winter months as people yearned for the warm bright flowers that spring would bring.

Rosemaling is somewhat of a lost art and is rarely taught unless passed down from previous generations, like from a grandmother to a granddaughter, which is my case. I am the granddaughter of Signe Kulp who has been Rosemaling for forty years. I was one of the only family members that took an interest in learning how to paint in this unique Norwegian style. I have been taking painting lessons since I was young and I have had personal instruction from my grandmother.

Rosemaling was done to embellish ordinary containers like boxes, bowls, and plates. As a landscape designer I have a love for flowers and for watering vessels. So it seemed very appropriate to decorate a watering can in this floral design.