Hello from Denmark

Allan Rahbek · 03-20-2004, 07:58 PM

Hi,

I am Allan, 55 years old, living in Denmark with my Norwegian wife, Aud, and our daughter Camilla.

I am a thatcher, which is that I make roofs with reeds, the same sort of straws that Rembrandt made most of his drawings with. Thatching is an old craft that require a great deal of skill and I like doing it, in addition it pays some bills.

I paint landscapes in oil and watercolor and portraits in oil and pastel and a few other things.

Pleace excuse me for this short presentation, I am not used to writing in English, but just wanted to show that I am around. I will try to attach a picture, and I will be back soon.

Best wishes Allan Rahbek.

Garth Herrick · 03-20-2004, 09:03 PM

Hi Allan,

Welcome to the Forum, from another newcomer! I really like the way this forum is a true international community of portrait artists. Someday I wish I could visit and see you in the process of thatching roofs. There are no thatched roofs where I am, and I find your introduction fascinating. Even though you say English is difficult for you, I have no way of knowing that because what you have written is perfect.

I love your very vibrant and happy portrait of the girl holding her hat. Your sense of color is wonderful and I think you have a very strong painting. Is this your daughter?

Thanks for introducing yourself and your beautiful portrait. I believe you will get a warm response from all. Welcome aboard! I want to see more of your painting and perhaps an example of your roofs.

Garth

Steven Sweeney · 03-20-2004, 09:05 PM

Many welcomes, Allan, and what an interesting community we have. I believe you're our first thatcher, though we have many artisans (other than drawers, painters and sculptors, I mean) amongst us.

Please make yourself comfortable here, and we will try to help in any way.

Allan Rahbek · 03-21-2004, 09:35 AM

Thank you Garth, for welkomming me. I have seen your entry and I am impressed of your overwhelming activity, and glad that you share it with us.

Yes, it is my daughter when she was about 4. I plan to make a new portrait of her again, now that she is 22, and do it the "American way", inspired by this site. But first I have to get a well functioning digital camera. The one I used to make the attached picture made a blurred print, ( that I was in control of the proces, must be the explanation). Perhaps I might show some thatch as well.

And thank you Steven, I do feel comfortable here already. It is a great site and I especially like the good tone.

Allan

Garth Herrick · 03-22-2004, 12:17 AM

Hi Allan,

I am actually a little embarrased by the overwhelming activity in my introduction. I don't know why this happened, except that I kept finding more things to say. Until this week, I have always regarded myself as a quiet person with nothing to talk about, so I am surprised too.

Did you paint Camilla's portrait recently, or 17 years ago? My initial impression was that your portrait of her was new (and that your daughter is now only four).

I would like to know more about your work in thatching. How many years will a good quality thatch roof last? Is some straw better than another?

Garth

Jean Kelly · 03-22-2004, 03:11 AM

Welcome Allen,

I'm always interested to talk with other arists from northern European countries as my ancestors are from the northernmost areas of Norway and Sweden. They settled in Hammerfest, Norway in the 1700's. I'm 2nd generation American, and I remember my grandmother and mother speaking Norwegian whenever they didn't want me to know what was going on. Both have been dead for many, many years so my link to my Scandinavian heritage has been lost. I'm looking forward to your participation in this Forum, there are so many talented artists here that are so generous in sharing their knowledge.

I too am really interested in seeing examples of your thatched roofs. Fascinating! Your portrait of your daughter is full of light and energy.

Jean Kelly

Allan Rahbek · 03-22-2004, 09:28 PM

Hi, Garth.

I am the one who should be embarassed for expressing myself so clumsy. I did of course allude to your exciting involvement in the modelling of the horse, where there must have been a very heavy Leonardo spirit. You also seem to practice varied approaches to your painting, which I hope that you will show some more of. I like your handling of light effect.

The painting of Camilla 25 x 25

Allan Rahbek · 03-22-2004, 10:20 PM

Hello Jean.

Thanks, I too wonder who else is from Scandinavia. I have only seen 2 so far. The one of them , Bart Lindstrom ( he is probably American, but his surname is Swedish) is the reason that I ended up here. I was searching for watercolor and saw one of his portraits and know that I had to look into his work, and found this site.

Last night we saw the movie "I am Dina" based on a book by Herbj

Jean Kelly · 03-22-2004, 11:02 PM

Hi Allan,

Thank you for the link, I now remember what a thatched roof looks like. My ancestors surnames were Jensen and Jernander. I married the name Kelly, there's not a drop of Irish in me! I'll check out the movie, it sounds beautiful and heartbreaking. At this point I don't think I'm going to make it to Norway or Sweden, so I'll visit in my dreams and take my imaginary watercolors with.

Jean

Allan Rahbek · 03-23-2004, 07:01 PM

Hi Jean,

Jensen is the most commen Danish surname. It