I am absolutely in love with this new way I have re-discovered of making art/vision boards!
When I was in school I was always super disappointed with the outcome of any collage - it was such an eighties thing and I haven't touched it for years!

But now I see it clearly, again!

It's really easy. And it's simple. And it makes things a whole lot clearer!

The magic of the vision / health board is that you don't have to THINK! In fact it works much better when you don't!




So:

How to make a Health Board!

1) Grab a magazine - just one is enough!
2) Get a piece of paper or cardboard - A4 will do - a gluestick & a pair of scissors.
3) Decide what your board is about (health, love, romance, garden, creative project, anything!) This board is about "My Health" that is one of my passions for 2015.
4) Now: Cut out all the bits that drags your attention, makes your stomach butterfly shimmer and catches your heart! Cut them out!
5) Get the paper and the glue stick out, and carefully chose a place for each cut-out piece, and place and glue it on the board.
6) When it is finished: Put it up somewhere nice where you can see it often, and
7) Reflect on the new things this board is telling you about your life!

Useful guidelines...

* Biggest pictures goes first and underneath, smaller parts and words go on top

* Cut ALL your pieces first, then put the magazine away. Then, start gluing your board (otherwise things can get too confusing).

* Be completely open. Don't judge what you cut out; trust!



I cut out a picture of a woman I felt drawn to, but I thought she was pretty ugly. Instead of fighting it, I cut her out and glued her on my board, anyway. When I saw her together with the other pieces on the board; it made so much sense! It wasn't about her, but about adventure! Next to Big Ben and the words 'La Prairie' I suddenly realized that she was a symbol of traveling, adventure, America and unseen places! Something old and authentic! So there we go! Don't judge - just flow!

If you would like to read even more about creating dream/health/ vision boards, have a look at my article Make a Dreamboard.

Happy Dreaming!

Yes! Let's be creative!

Making an illustration is in many ways similar to going on a shamanic journey; I have an idea about where I'm going but what happens when I draw, only time will tell. Magic unfolds; characters appear, they want to be in the picture. I am excited because I don't know what happens next! What will appear suddenly in a minute!? I laugh! A cat! Hah! It is so funny and whimsical.

With this years' Christmas card I wanted to show a certain madness of cozy "hygge" time. The scene is set in a cozy cottage with the two main figures going beserk over creating christmas decorations! Magic happens when we just let go and let ourselves be creative. I find that the winter and especially Christmas time is perfect for that.

A Scandinavian childhood

I have friends who live in south and in north of Sweden and when I made the scenery for outside the window, I thought about these warm homes and the view from their windows. I like round carpets like the one under the table. I also had a round carpet under the Christmas tree. I recall this tradition from my Christmases in Denmark.
I know the feeling I want to create with my card. It comes from childhood books and illustrations of Nordic landscapes and indoor life. I think people from all over Scandinavia recognize this feeling. That part of me is familiar, where I grew up and had my Christmases as a child. It is this familiarity that I try to explain in this year's Christmas artwork. The windows are familiar, the chairs, the people. That's what I want to give with my art: a familiar cozy welcome-ness.

How did I make the illustration? 

First I draw what's in the centre of the picture where all the action happens from. In this case it was a round table. Everything else is added on from there.
I have 2 main sketches of the scene; one in my head and one on paper, and together they create the final image. But I don't know everything. I often ask the picture itself what it wants to do next when I am stuck.
It takes two full days to create a detailed illustration such as this one. I don't worry too much about being correct in my lines, but I want the viewer to be able to understand what is happening in the picture even though it's busy.
I like to draw things that are a little impossible. That gets the imagination going. When you draw you can make up solutions that wouldn't work in reality. And it makes it even more fun!


I hope you enjoy the cards! I wish you a joyous wonder-full Christmas!

With love,

I find that the darker months are really magical and especially call for lighting candles. I like creating my own. A very special candle with my own powerful message on. Share the love and give it to a friend.
These are some ideas for your candle:

I am thinking of you
I believe in you
Time to rest
I know you
Let it go
I am OK


All these beautiful messages out there in the world for us. Take the one that gives you most peace, power or that feels most comfortable. It will do you good!

All you need is a felt tip pen (sprit tusch in Danish), or if you like, colours. Black is fine! Write, draw, create. Make it special and every time you light it, know that spirit is working with you. You are seen. You are heard!


This was the first photo I put up on Instagram from December last year. It is a candle saying "Everything you do matters". I created it at a time I was feeling stuck and I couldn't see my way. When I lit it, it reminded me of a deeper truth and the bigger picture, and that made me feel more at ease with my situation.