ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
| Traditional Skill/Art: Norwegian Rosemåling Years Won: 2024 Contact Information: Phone: (541)-726-8093 Email: gayle@gayleoram.com Website: https://gayleoram.com/index.php |
Gayle Oram’s Norwegian Rosemaling painting career spans more than thirty years. Art was her minor, Home Economics Education her major in college. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine traveling across the United States and abroad to teach a form of art. Oram first encountered Rosemaling in 1977 in Petersburg, Alaska (a Norwegian fishing settlement with Rosemaling painted on the store fronts). Over the years, Gayle has conducted seminars, local classes, and has published eight books about Rosemaling. She holds a Master of Decorative Art (MDA) certification through the Society of Decorative Painters and earned a Gold Medal in Rosemaling from Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum. She has hopes to write a ninth book about European flowers some day when time allows. Oram teaches Rosemaling to the general public from her home in Pleasant Hill, Oregon.
APPRENTICE BIOGRAPHY
| Patti Jo MeshnikTraditional Skill/Art: Norwegian Rosemåling Years Won: 2024 Website: https://ofn.uoregon.edu/profile/patti-jo-meshnik
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Patti Jo Meshnik was first introduced to Rosemaling in June of 1980 in Montana. Her mother, the daughter of Norwegian emigrants, invited her to take a class with her. She had no idea at the time that Rosemaling would become such an important part of her story. She began developing her skills before starting her family in 1984, when she took a break from the artform. In 2006, she began again in earnest and now attends Scandinavian fairs with her work.
Patti Jo is eager to deepen her skills as a Rosemaler in efforts to preserve her Norwegian heritage. After this apprenticeship, she will continue the tradition by teaching Rosemaling classes.
Q&A WITH THE MENTOR ARTIST
The Norwegian Folk Art of Rosemaling originated in the 1700’s in rural Norway. The word
translated means “rose” or flower plus “maling” or painting, so flower-painting. It came to the
United States especially during the early 1900’s when immigrants carried their positions in
heirloom trunks painted with this folk art. While the art form was slowly diminishing in Norway, it enjoyed a revival in the Midwestern states following WWII and continues to this day.
I first encountered Rosemaling in 1977 when my family moved to Petersburg, Alaska. It was a
Norwegian fishing settlement and there was Rosemaling painted on store fronts throughout the
town. I was already familiar with decorative painting, but was so taken by the Rosemaling and
started researching and teaching. Petersburg was like being in an immersion program and I loved
learning about this beautiful art.
In the 1980’s my family moved to Tillamook, Oregon where I continued teaching through the
community college. During those next years, my desire to learn more Rosemaling grew and I
wanted to study in Norway. I met Vestla Harris who had grown up in Norway and had studied at
the Sand School under Berglot Lunde. Vestla was instrumental in my studies and was part of many trips to Norway to study the styles and travel on the Vesterheim Rosemaling tours. There were many wonderful experiences, classes with talented Rosemalers, learning opportunities, gathering of information, studying old pieces, photographs and memories from those trips. Some of the masters I learned from include Nils Ellingsgard, Berglot Lunde, Sigmund Aarseth, Bjorg Kleivi and Askar Kjesta.
Oregon may not have as many Rosemalers as the Midwest, but Rosemaled treasures can still be found in many homes. Some are heirlooms that traveled across the Atlantic and some have been painted in recent years. Homes and organizations such as the Sons of Norway Lodges and Portland’s Nordic Northwest also have pieces including plates, boxes, and special chairs. The common thread tying them together is the Rosemaling designs that follow the tradition developed in Norway so long ago.
Over the years I have conducted seminars, local classes and written eight books. Special awards include:
1980: Master of Decorative Art (MDA) certification through the Society of Decorative Painters
2000: Gold Medal in Rosemaling from Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum.
And numerous ribbons from the Sons of Norway conventions’ cultural competition.
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