Valkommen! (Swedish, for Welcome)
to Rosemaling by Christina.

Christina Keune is a heritage artist and historian of the traditional Norwegian art of Rosemaling and the Swedish art, Dalmålning.

Interior walls and functional wooden objects in Norway were decorated with classical leaf and scroll forms using earth tone paints during the 18th and 19th centuries. Swedish folk art at this time complements its interiors with painted wall hangings often depicting bible stories.

Her work follows the original techniques and designs or may employ modern rosemaling interpretations. Wooden bowls, plates, boxes, as well as smaller items for kitchen or office and Christmas are available for family gifts, weddings, and birthdays.

History plays a large role in Rosemaling and Dalmålning for those interested in this ethnic study. Work may be commissioned to link past generations or classes may be contracted for academic purposes.

Please learn more on this site and thank you for your interest.

biography

Rosemaling by Christina’s motto is "A brush with the past". Her own past blends Norwegian and Swedish genes with a unique ethnic art from Scandinavia’s past.

Christina Keune, a professional heritage artist since 1983, has demonstrated and lectured about rosemaling and dalmålning at numerous craft and ethnic festivals and at classes in the Washington, D. C. area, New Jersey, North Carolina and Wisconsin.

She holds a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts from the George Washington University, has pursued independent studies with master painters of rosemaling in Norway and the United States, and has toured Sweden, Denmark and Finland to research their folk art traditions.

Mrs. Keune received the Gold Medal in Rosemaling from the Vesterheim, Norwegian American Museum (Decorah, IA) and the Crystal Award from Gammelgården Museum (Scandia, MN). Both museums have purchased her work for their collections.

Her studio in Arlington, VA – featured in Remodeling Magazine – provides a workspace for painting and showcases both her own pieces and her collection of original Scandinavian folk art. Elements from this collection provide artistic and academic references.

She paints rosemaling and dalmålning on functional wooden objects: bowls, boxes, clocks, desk and kitchen items as well as hanging ornaments for Christmas based on traditional Scandinavian pieces such as trunks, bowls, tankards, and more. Ceramic tile projects, Swedish wall hangings on canvas and trunks join the repertoire available for private commissions.

  • awards

    2008
    Award of Excellence in the Preservation of Scandinavian Culture, American Scandinavian Association, Washington, DC.
    2006
    Blue Ribbon, Best of Show, qualified as a Gold Medalist in Rosemaling, Vesterheim Museum, Decorah, IA. Museum purchase.
    2002
    Crystal Award from Gammelgarden Museum, Scandia, MN
  • EDUCATION

    1973
    Bachelor of Arts, George Washington University, Washington, DC
    1978 - 2002
    Ten painting seminars in America with Norwegian rosemaling master painters or American Rosemaling Gold Medalists.
    1987 - 2010
    Ten Folk Art Tours to Norway with the Vesterheim Museum, sponsored workshops with Norwegian rosemaling master painters.
  • Teaching experience

    2008, 2016-19
    Vesterheim Museum, Decorah, IA. Rosemaling seminars.
    2008
    Lawrence University Seminar Center - Bjorklunden, Door County, WI. Weeklong seminar teaching Dalmalning, Swedish folk painting.
    2002 - 2006
    John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC. Weeklong seminars on Norwegian Rosemaling.