"I think the remoteness of the Faroe islands made a big impression on me. It's a special feeling to be so far away from everything and be completely surrounded by the ocean at the same time. You can feel the history of the islands immediately and there is definitely a special atmosphere. I expected to get blown away by the strange nature of the island, which I was. The landscapes are even more amazing than on pictures and is different from anything I've seen before. It was even rougher than I thought and more windy and wild. There are also a ton of cute baby sheep.

The weather really surprised me. It's like a wild weather forecast in fast forward mode. You can have rain, wind, hail and sun, all within a few hours. It's constantly changing and it makes you really feel you are at the mercy of the elements of nature. As a city person the nature will humble you and remind you of the force of weather and nature.

The artwork I created is titled "Pocket Mountains". When you look at the islands you see mountains, hills and slopes with waterfalls in all directions. They look small from afar, like miniature mountains that fit in your pocket. It's a reference to all the impressions that you can carry with you after being out exploring. I am big believer that experiencing nature is a source of positive energy for the mind long after you've been exposed to it. I hope that this artwork will have the same effect on people in their homes, and can make people look at nature more often."

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Arrival 

If any aspiring landscape painters are thinking of coming to the Faeroe Islands to do some “en plein air” painting they need a reality check. I knew it would be windy but this is something else. I think any attempt to set up a canvas outside would turn into a Charlie Chaplinian comedy. It’s quite clear that the weather is in charge of everything on the islands of the Faeroe. It’s astonishing here. Rough cliffs, Wild Sea, waterfalls, sheeps and rocks. We have settled in a little red house on a hillside outside Torshavn. It’s surrounded by sheep, grass and with a great view. To be honest - everywhere you look is a great view. 

Tomorrow we will pack bags with food and water and pink binoculars and put on our hiking boots. 

Thursday, May 25, 2023

It’s barely dark up here this time of year so we got started pretty early. Actually I was up around 5.30 as the wind howled so loud I thought the sheep outside would fly off into the ocean like loose kites. So needless to say we got started on our sightseeing nice and early around 8.00 and headed toward Gjógv, a small town on top of the northern island Eysturoy. Here we could take a friendly hike up and see the waves crash against the cliffs with raucous force. After getting our faces molded by the wind we ate pancakes in the car and set sails towards the city of Saksun making a stop on the way at the Fossar Waterfall. Saksun was somewhat touristy - we met three other hikers on the small trail through the valley on the way to the little beach that was surrounded by incredibly tall cliffs. Incredible nature. Tomorrow we see how the legs are. 

Saturday, May 27, 2023

So we have just returned back to our red little cabin after a day trip that took us all the way up to Múli  that lies on the outermost northern edge of the island of Borðoy. The legend of the little abandoned town is that there lived a man with mystical powers there, a kind of oracle around 1650. After seeing the place it wouldn’t surprise me. The weather was a bit out of control, with a mix of storm, hail and rain but we did manage to venture up the hill towards the very edge of the island where the locals used to hunt birds with big nets hanging on ropes from the edge of the cliffs. On the way back we stopped in Klaksvik that greets you with a giant silver fishing hook. The city is the number one fishing town and if you’ve had any salmon with your sushi in the past it’s quite likely its from here. 

Yesterday we spent the day at Kirkjubøur where we saw the Olav Church and the Magnus Cathedral. The little town is also home to the oldest wooden house in the world stilll inhabited from 11th Century. The carved wooden details was amazing and the longevity of it all in such rough environment.

Sunday, May 28, 2023

Our last day here at the islands has arrived. Last night the sun came out around 19.00 and was up until around 23.00 when the sun finally set behind the green mountains. Amazing evening light. 

Today we set out to see the Gasadalur around an hour away from Torshavn. The little village, famous for its steep cliffs and waterfall, sits surrounded by tall mountains on all sides. A tunnel was made in 2006 so the little town can be accessed by car. Before then it was only accessible through a hike over the mountains. Our last hike on the Faeroe islands took us up around the village and we went along the cliffs with a view towards the island Mykines. That view is probably what will bring us back to the islands because we didn’t get to visit. Mykines is not easy to get to or from but next time we will make it happen. The islands are full of beautiful spots to hike and visit - the weather constantly changing, fog, sun, wind and hails. Beautiful landscapes. For a city artist it’s good to get out among the elements once in a while.