Karen Jenson Box 6, 104 Lincoln Milan MN 56262 (320) 734-4715 Work Samples Images: (select to enlarge)

Karen Jenson Scandinavian decorative painting I create Scandinavian decorative art, Norwegian rosemaling and Swedish dalmaling, in murals, furniture, and numerous smaller items. I've been painting Scandinavian folk art for 30 years and never tire of working with color. It's still exciting to see a beautiful piece of furniture and mentally figure out which colors it will be painted and which directions the designs will flow. I'm thankful I've been able to work at something that gives me joy. Available: Anytime, any day Space: I need a 6 ft. table and good lighting Fee: $100 to $150, plus mileage (31¢/mile)

Additional Information:
Karen Jenson was born to Swedish American parents in Clinton, MN in 1935, and was raised on a farm near the town of Ortonville, in southwest Minnesota. Although Ortonville is known as a Swedish town, the region of southwest Minnesota has a high concentration of Norwegians. Karen's first exposure to rosemaling was in the primary grades, and she created a rosemaled bowl as an elementary school project. Rosemaling is a cover term for a number of related styles of Norwegian decorative painting whose signature motifs are stylized flowers and scrolls.

Karen's passion for rosemaling was kindled in late 1960's, when her daughter, Dawn, attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Dawn invited her mother to Nordic Fest, an annual festival of Norwegian culture co-sponsored by Luther and the Norwegian American Museum in Decorah. The rosemaling displayed by artists demonstrating at Nordic Fest caught Karen's attention. Not long after her trip to Decorah, she was consumed in rosemaling.

At this early stage, she had the good fortune to be exposed to Saint Paul's renowned rosemaler, Addie Pittlekow. Addie recommended that Karen return to Decorah to take a workshop from renowned Norwegian painter, Sigmund Aarseth. Sigmund encouraged Karen to develop her own style within traditional rosemaling. After that, there was a lot of trial and error before Karen had the courage to place any of her work before the public. Those who know Karen's work say that her talent lies in the movement she imparts in her telemark style of painting. Telemark style is not symmetrical, yet Karen's work always seems balanced. They always seem simultaneously traditional and contemporary, and some contain playful figures reflecting her impish sense humor.

Karen's work can be seen in many area churches, businesses and homes in southwest Minnesota and beyond. Among her credits is a sixty feet high mural for Høstfest, the annual celebration of Nordic culture held at Minot, ND. At the Green Lake Bible Camp in Spice, she created, in a rosemaling-based style, 12 panels depicting professions of people in the area who use the facility. Her best-known masterpiece is the rosemaled bed that has been widely exhibited and photographed. She has served several times as a master in the folk arts apprenticeship program of the Minnesota State Arts Board.