The Painting Club
Being an artist can at times feel quite solitary. At the same time, that very solitude is essential for my creative process. I work best when I can be alone with my thoughts, allowing ideas to grow quietly and naturally in my studio. Still, I deeply value being part of a community of people who share the same passion. Meeting others to exchange experiences, gain inspiration, and develop ideas together brings an important balance to what is otherwise a very individual artistic practice.
That is why I joined Lillehammer Painting Club in 2025 — a decision that has proven truly rewarding. Through the club, I have met engaged and inspiring artists and gained fresh perspectives both on my own work and on art in general.
That autumn we held a group exhibition at a small gallery space in the Mesnasenteret in the heart of Lillehammer. The gallery is run as an open initiative where artists themselves can organize exhibitions, creating a vibrant and welcoming meeting place for art and visitors. Each member was given their own section of wall space in the charming venue located just above a local bakery. Because the room is fairly small and we were many exhibitors, several paintings were hung layered above one another — which actually gave the exhibition a lively and dynamic feel.
I was genuinely surprised by how many people stopped by. It was especially enjoyable to meet visitors from all over the world who wandered in and took the time to experience our art. Encounters like these remind me why sharing art in a physical space is still so meaningful — art creates connections between people, regardless of language or background.
