CLASS ON DEMAND Swedish Dalmålning – Floral Borders Pieper Fleck Bloomquist

$155.00

Floral borders are an iconic part of Swedish folk paintings in dalmålningar (Dalarna style paintings), enhancing the stories told within the frame. In this workshop, painters will use patterns to create a sampler of beautiful borders from the Leksand and Rättvik schools of dalmåleri, including the zig-zag ribbon border. Students will also learn how to combine different styles of borders with various kurbits. There will be a brief YouTube video to watch prior to class. Contemporary folk artist Pieper Bloomquist will demonstrate using Winsor & Newton acrylic paints, although the design skills covered can also be adapted to other media, such as watercolor, oil, markers, and more. Please note this is a skill building class that is best suited for students with some previous painting experience, and students may not head home with a finished project.

Pieper Fleck Bloomquist is a contemporary folk artist with nearly 30 years’ experience painting in the traditions of Swedish dalmålning and bonadsmålning. Using traditional materials of linen/jute, traditional gesso, and egg tempera, she creates painted tapestries with scenes that narrate modern human stories – drawing inspiration from family traditions and her experience as an oncology nurse. She has found her voice in helping local communities and elders tell their stories using these traditions - all with the goal of creating awareness and appreciation for folk art, its connection to a heritage, and the ability it has to connect us all through our stories. 

Based in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Pieper is a 3rd generation descendant of Swedish immigrants. She is a recipient of the North Dakota Governor’s Award for the Arts (2023-2025), and the 2024 Culture Bearer Award from Arts Midwest.  For over 25 years she has been active in programs sponsored by the North Dakota Council on the Arts, and a regular instructor at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. She has twice been granted a Folk Arts Fellowship through the American Scandinavian Foundation.

Dalmålning Borders Supply List Acrylic Painting supplies

SURFACE

1. Dark Blue - WN Thalo (pthalo) blue, Indigo blue, midnight blue

  1. Black - WN Mars Black, Ivory black, lamp black, carbon black

  2. Yellow -WN Raw Sienna (Yellow Ochre will suffice)

  3. Red -WN Burnt Sienna, Transparent Red Iron Oxide, Red Iron Oxide, Americana Heritage Brick

  4. Raw Umber

  5. Burnt Umber

  6. Sap Green

  7. Titanium white

  8. Cadmium Red Light (or Pyrrole Orange) - Optional

BRUSHES –

o Winsor&Newton Cottman Watercolor Brushes o Princeton Heritage

Students are encouraged to bring a variety of wash, filbert, round, and liner brushes, so use what you have. Canvas can be rough – so I don’t usually spend a lot on my brushes.

MISC.

  • Paper and pencil for notetaking if you wish

  • Ruler and Scotch or Masking tape

  • Paper towel (Viva brand or blue Scott shop towels from Menards are best)

Floral borders are an iconic part of Swedish folk paintings in dalmålningar (Dalarna style paintings), enhancing the stories told within the frame. In this workshop, painters will use patterns to create a sampler of beautiful borders from the Leksand and Rättvik schools of dalmåleri, including the zig-zag ribbon border. Students will also learn how to combine different styles of borders with various kurbits. There will be a brief YouTube video to watch prior to class. Contemporary folk artist Pieper Bloomquist will demonstrate using Winsor & Newton acrylic paints, although the design skills covered can also be adapted to other media, such as watercolor, oil, markers, and more. Please note this is a skill building class that is best suited for students with some previous painting experience, and students may not head home with a finished project.

Pieper Fleck Bloomquist is a contemporary folk artist with nearly 30 years’ experience painting in the traditions of Swedish dalmålning and bonadsmålning. Using traditional materials of linen/jute, traditional gesso, and egg tempera, she creates painted tapestries with scenes that narrate modern human stories – drawing inspiration from family traditions and her experience as an oncology nurse. She has found her voice in helping local communities and elders tell their stories using these traditions - all with the goal of creating awareness and appreciation for folk art, its connection to a heritage, and the ability it has to connect us all through our stories. 

Based in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Pieper is a 3rd generation descendant of Swedish immigrants. She is a recipient of the North Dakota Governor’s Award for the Arts (2023-2025), and the 2024 Culture Bearer Award from Arts Midwest.  For over 25 years she has been active in programs sponsored by the North Dakota Council on the Arts, and a regular instructor at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. She has twice been granted a Folk Arts Fellowship through the American Scandinavian Foundation.

Dalmålning Borders Supply List Acrylic Painting supplies

SURFACE

1. Dark Blue - WN Thalo (pthalo) blue, Indigo blue, midnight blue

  1. Black - WN Mars Black, Ivory black, lamp black, carbon black

  2. Yellow -WN Raw Sienna (Yellow Ochre will suffice)

  3. Red -WN Burnt Sienna, Transparent Red Iron Oxide, Red Iron Oxide, Americana Heritage Brick

  4. Raw Umber

  5. Burnt Umber

  6. Sap Green

  7. Titanium white

  8. Cadmium Red Light (or Pyrrole Orange) - Optional

BRUSHES –

o Winsor&Newton Cottman Watercolor Brushes o Princeton Heritage

Students are encouraged to bring a variety of wash, filbert, round, and liner brushes, so use what you have. Canvas can be rough – so I don’t usually spend a lot on my brushes.

MISC.

  • Paper and pencil for notetaking if you wish

  • Ruler and Scotch or Masking tape

  • Paper towel (Viva brand or blue Scott shop towels from Menards are best)