Minnesota-Swedish Bonad Folk Painting

Inspired by medieval tapestries, bonadsmålning (bonad paintings) were densely patterned figurative paintings that hung in homes in Halland and Småland, Sweden, during festive occasions. The class will share several examples of this traditional folk painting style with a focus on the work of folk artist Johannes Nilsson (1757-1827). Nilsson filled his long narrative paintings with biblical stories, Swedish motifs, fashions, folk patterns, floating flowers and blåfärgade bubblor (blue bubbles). Participants will create their own colorful bonad painting using traditional designs, acrylic paint, and a contemporary palette.

In this four-hour introductory workshop, participants gain new skills in Swedish figurative folk painting. The agenda includes a slide show about Swedish folk painting, followed by a demonstration and composition building on paper and canvas, then more painting. An optional hour lunch break will happen from 11 a.m.-12 p.m., after which students will complete their painting and share their work in an informal critique. Välkomna.