a slow way journal
Bringing slowness into your life.
Interviews, practices, conversations, talks, visual stories & rituals.
#05 A magical night in the exclusive and eco-friendly Løvtag Treehouse Cabin.
I experienced one of my favorite “slow ways” by waking up in a comfortable bed eight meters above the forest floor, surrounded by treetops and tranquility at the Danish Løvtag.
I experienced one of my favorite “slow ways” by waking up in a comfortable bed eight meters above the forest floor, surrounded by treetops and tranquility at the Danish Løvtag.
Løvtag isn’t a typical eco-friendly cabin. It’s a cabin built around a tree, where the tree itself lives inside the cabin! I stumbled upon Lovtag a few years ago, and this unique little cabin nestled in a Danish forest immediately resonated with me.
My dream came true in early April when my husband, Mark, and I had the chance to spend a day and a night in this magical, tranquil place.
Løvtag is located near Mariager Fjord in Denmark; the exclusive hotel has several cabins, and ours was named “Ro,” which translates to “Calm” in English.
Here, there are no cars—just a small wheelbarrow to transport your belongings.
Everything feels alive; lying in the comfortable bed by the large window, gazing out at the forest and its creatures while birdsong lulls you—it’s a true meditation.
After a brief pause on the rooftop terrace, enjoying an afternoon snack with local products provided upon our arrival, we set off to explore the forest. Mark and I love walking in silence. Our quietude allows nature to express itself through bird songs.
“Imagine waking up to the sight of the sun shining through the leaves of the threes while far beneath you the cold from the night has left a thin layer of fog covering the forest flow.”
A lovtag experience
Back in “Ro,” we rest and later prepare our evening meal in our little kitchen. Everything inside Ro is beautiful and eco-friendly, and the hot shower is outdoors under the open sky.
As dusk settles, Mark captures the sky and stars with his camera, while I write in my journal, fully immersed in the forest from our cozy bed.
We fall asleep to the rhythm of nature. “Ro” exudes coziness, and we feel the tree’s energy. The air here is purer and gentler. The tree shares its secrets and protection with us.
At dawn, we wake up from a deep, peaceful sleep. Breakfast, sourced locally, arrives at the base of our cabin at 8 a.m., and it is all delicious!
We meditate, shower in the forest air, and prepare for our departure.
This day’s adventure felt like it lasted much longer. Before leaving, we took one last stroll to admire the other cabins.
For me, retreating into the forest is pure meditation—a favorite among my “slow ways.”
We will for sure return!
About Løvtag
Løvtag, the unique treetop hotel in Denmark, practices sustainability in various ways. Their cabins are built around trees without harming them, using environmentally certified materials.
Electricity comes exclusively from renewable sources.
They collaborate with local suppliers, support the community, and encourage guests to explore nearby restaurants.
Additionally, Løvtag contributes to global forest management efforts through donations and awareness campaigns. If you’re ever in Denmark, consider experiencing the magic of waking up in a comfortable bed eight meters above the forest floor, surrounded by treetops and tranquility at Løvtag.
The architecture
The cabins are designed by architect Sigurd Larsen Design and Architecture. The expression is Nordic minimalism, utilizing every cubic centimeter to its utmost.
Inside, the cabins are both modern, comfortable and ‘hyggelige’. Built 6-8 meters up the tree, the cabins enclose the tree itself which goes up through the middle of the cabin, ensuring that our guests are truly close to nature. Large windows to the south and west let in lots of natural light.
All photos are copyrighted. For more pictures, visit a slow way photography.
French version:
Une nuit magique dans une cabane au sommet d’un arbre.
Løvtag n’est pas une cabane écologique comme les autres, Lovtag est une cabane construite autour d’un arbre. L’arbre vit à l’intérieur de la cabane!
J’ai découvert Løvtag il y a quelques années, et cette petite cabane unique au coeur d’une forêt danoise unique a tout de suite résonné en moi.
Mon rêve s’est réalisé début avril et Mark, mon mari, et moi avons eu la chance de pouvoir passer une journée et une nuit dans cet endroit magique et si tranquille.
Løvtag a plusieurs cabanes désignées par Sigurd Larsen et notre cabane porte le nom de “ro” (traduit “calme” en francais).
Ici, pas de voiture, on transporte ses affaires dans une petite brouette. Ici, tout se sent, se vit, et s’allonger le long d’une grande baie vitrée et observer la forêt et ses êtres, se laisser bercer aux chants des oiseaux est une vraie méditation.
Après une petite pause sur la terrasse sur le toit de notre cabane en appréciant un goûter avec des produits locaux, offert à notre arrivée , nous partons à la découverte de la forêt.
Mark et moi aimons marcher en silence…notre silence laisse la nature s’exprimer par les chants des oiseaux.
De retour à “Ro”, nous nous reposons et commençons plus tard à préparer notre repas du soir dans notre petite cuisine.
Tout est beau à l’intérieur de Ro, tout est écologique et la douche chaude est à l’extérieur sous le ciel.
À la tombée du jour, Mark photographie le ciel et ses étoiles, comme il aime, et moi j’écris dans mon journal allongée dans le lit en immersion totale avec la forêt.
Nous nous endormons au rythme de la nature.
“Ro” est cozy et nous sentons l’énergie de l’arbre. L’air est plus pur et doux ici. L'arbre nous offre ses secrets et sa protection.
Nous nous réveillons au petit matin, après d’un sommeil profond après une nuit si calme!
Le petit déjeuner local nous est livré en bas de la cabane à huit heures du matin, et tout est délicieux!
Nous méditons, prenons une douche à l’air de la forêt et nous préparons pour notre départ.
Une aventure d’une journée qui paraît avoir duré bien plus longtemps. Nous nous promenons une dernière fois pour admirer les autres cabines.
Pour moi, pouvoir se retirer dans la forêt est une pure méditation et ma façon de me recharger, c’est un des mes “slow ways” préférés.
Nous reviendrons!
À propos de Løvtag
Løvtag est un hôtel unique dans les cimes des arbres au Danemark; leurs cabanes sont construites autour des arbres sans les endommager, en utilisant des matériaux certifiés écologiques.
L’électricité provient exclusivement de sources renouvelables.
Ils collaborent avec des fournisseurs locaux, soutiennent la communauté et encouragent les clients à explorer les restaurants à proximité.
De plus, Løvtag contribue aux efforts mondiaux de gestion des forêts grâce à des dons et des campagnes de sensibilisation. Si vous êtes un jour au Danemark, envisagez de vivre la magie de vous réveiller dans un lit confortable à huit mètres au-dessus du sol forestier, entouré de cimes d’arbres et de tranquillité à Løvtag.
#04 Uma Gaia; a sacred and magical conversation about slowness and sound healing with the sound therapist, diviner and poetess Olivia, Uma Gaia.
Olivia, Uma Gaia at her sacred space, the Care Hoy, Hotel Hoy, Paris
A sacred and magical conversation about slowness and sound healing with the sound therapist, diviner and poetess Olivia, Uma Gaia at the Hoy Hotel in Paris.
Olivia appeared in my life on my Instagram feed two years ago. Her work and energy resonated deeply within my body and soul.
I am passionate about sound healing, as its effect on my body and my soul is so beneficial.
So I contacted her, and proposed to interview and photograph her at one of her sacred spaces where she offers sound healing in Paris…
Dear Olivia, would you tell us about your journey and your mission as a sound healer and as a person? Why did you choose to become a quartz sound healer?
One's journey has so many levels to it. I think for me it all began many lifetimes ago, and in this lifetime, I once again was reincarnated as a light worker. Since I was a little girl I had a deep connection with the spirit, the consciousness, the universe, this arrived in many forms. Coupled with my childhood traumas which are now my gifts.
“I always knew Uma Gaia would be my path and my purpose, to guide people towards their own inner and outer alignment.”
I always knew I wanted to offer people a smile, a soft compassionate moment, a feeling of peace. I always knew Uma Gaia would be my path and my purpose, to guide people towards their own inner and outer alignment. To let their shadows grow into their light. I was called to become a Quartz sound therapist as I have always loved the science behind Quartz and sound and the simple fact that everything is resonance and that everything is stardust and interconnected.
Sound is all around us and inside us, and sound resonance cannot be denied, it just is.
Quartz sound therapy spoke to me since it is gentle, exists without anything else needed and also is “going to do the work no matter”.
Uma Gaia doing her magic
Would you share with us some of your daily practices and sacred rituals that help you "stay slow" in the vibrant city of Paris?
Some of my Essentials & Foundations :
Before leaving the bed, and just as my eyes open: state all the things within myself I am grateful for.
Lemon water every morning, light stretching and TCM tapping / acupressure.
Choose the crystal of the day that I will carry in my pocket that aligns with my needs for the day / centered around what I am feeling emotionally.
Take time for my face / hair / care for my inner and outer beauty in an authentic and natural way.
Listen to the birds, walk slow and look at the flowers, honor all the beautiful cracks the city of Paris has.
Walk different streets that are unfamiliar and allow me to uncover and discover new treasures.
Write a poem at a favorite café that knows my preferred beverage and I don’t even have to tell them.
Daily self-Reiki and cleansing.
Honor what the day brings, be soft, let things flow as they are and smile at strangers.
In your opinion, what are the benefits of sound healing at a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual level and what is your ultimate experience of "slowness"?
The benefits of Quartz sound healing are profound on every level of the being; the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. The Quartz sound resonance/frequency has the capacity to enter the system on a cellular level, to reshape, release and harmonize all aspects of oneself. It can take a stored trauma within the system and begin to gently break it up, allowing it to be brought to the surface to be honored, held, and ultimately brought into light and healed.
If you are feeling stressed mentally, the power of Quartz sound can soften the mind, soften the stress and allow a moment of peace and present to arrive.
If you are feeling depressed and alone the Quartz frequency can connect you to something deeper, something beyond ourselves, to the conscious collective and gift us the realization that we are never truly alone. The benefits of Quartz sound are infinite.
“The benefits of Quartz sound are infinite.”
One of my ultimate feelings of “slowness” is when I am at a beach, and I am watching the waves seamlessly continue to flow and crash against each other (a subtle timeless comfort), and then I go back to my childhood and begin to intentionally find stones or seashells that speak to me.
Another ultimate feeling of “slowness” is when it is dawn, and the sun as just began to rise and the first birds are singing of the day, I leave the house and watch this moment with awe everyday as if it was the first time.
Thank you for this “belle rencontre divine” (beautiful divine meeting) and your soothing words and energy, Olivia, your work is felt and seen.
Meet Olivia, Uma Gaia on @uma.gaia
All photos of Olivia are copyrighted.
#03 WABI SABI NORDIC: “Slowness” is expressed in our design through the use of timeless natural stones and craftsmanship.
A conversation with Wabi Sabi Nordic about their timeless interior design and their slow way of living.
Stine Appel and Stine Rosgaard at Wabi Sabi showroom.
I visited Wabi Sabi Nordic at their beautiful Danish showroom and design space in Aarhus, Denmark. We had a conversation about their timeless interior design and furniture, and of course on how they see “slowness” in their design and their way of living.
The past months, I have been deepening myself into the Japanese concept of Wabi Sabi, as I find it fascinating; so to me, meeting Wabi Sabi Nordic and the Danish founder and designer Stine Rosgaard felt natural and obvious.
I photo-documented Stine’s creative process as well as her beautiful creations.
Thank you Wabi Sabi Nordic, for your warm welcome, your words and for opening up your beautiful universe.
I hope you will love their design as much as I do. You can read the article below both in in English and in Danish.
Dear Wabi Sabi Nordic, would you please tell us about your adventure? And why did you choose to design sustainable fine furniture from timeless stones?
Wabi Sabi Nordic was created by founder Stine Rosgaard in 2020. At that time, Stine and her partner were renovating a townhouse and had used some beautiful marble tiles in various parts of the house. One of the tiles broke, and Stine felt it was a waste to simply discard it.
They needed coat hooks for the entrance, and the idea arose: why not make them out of the broken tile? That's how it all began, with a small round hook that Stine crafted in the backyard of her home. She posted the hook on Instagram, and many people expressed interest in buying it. Suddenly, it was not far from idea to action - Wabi Sabi Nordic was born. The name, Stine came across in a beautiful book of the same name. Wabi Sabi is a Japanese concept that loosely translates to the beauty in imperfection, a philosophy that perfectly matched Stine's vision for her new business.
The hooks were made and sold, and new designs were added. The first piece of furniture was Venus, our side table, which is still part of our collection today. The demand for more and larger furniture was there, and that meant Stine could no longer make everything by herself in the backyard.
Therefore, Stine found the perfect production in Turkey, which we still work closely with today, and the backyard was replaced with a new beautiful raw showroom/office/warehouse/workshop in Brabrand, where the company is still based today.
A year and a half ago, Stine hired her first employee, Stine Appel, who serves as the PR & Sales Manager. So today, it's a small team working with Wabi Sabi Nordic.
Much has happened in the past 3.5 years, but the visions remain the same. For Stine, it's important to create high-quality furniture and objects that can last for generations.
The love and fascination for the material, natural stone, are still the same. It's not an easy material to work with, but it has a quality and aesthetics that are entirely unique and timeless, which has truly become a core DNA of the brand.
“With Wabi Sabi Nordic, I aim to appreciate the beauty of natural materials and preserve the “imperfect” details created by nature. Furthermore, it all began with Stine using only waste and remnants from other stone production, materials that others would not want.”
How do you see "slowness" in your design and in your products?
Slowness is largely expressed through the use of natural materials and craftsmanship, something we greatly cherish. We aim to preserve all the natural details, so the material appears as genuine and natural as possible.
One material we often use is travertine, where water has created numerous holes and clefts in the limestone over millions of years. This imparts the most beautiful details in our designs, which we personally hold in high regard. It makes each design unique and provides a tactile quality that delights the eye. We love that you can see nature's work in our products.
Furthermore, we exclusively work with timeless design. This is not only to give the material the space it deserves but also to create long-lasting design that can be enjoyed in one's home for many, many years.
Stine Rosgaard hand drawing a new piece of furniture.
Would you please tell us more about your new collection, "timeless tales"?
"Timeless Tales stems from our core philosophy of creating products designed to endure for many years to come.
In the design of our products, I always emphasize quality and aesthetics. At the same time, the collection is based on my personal needs and desires in relation to the decoration of my own home.
When I design our products, I always start with what I myself miss and feel a need for in my daily life.
Timeless Tales complements our existing range because I believe that our products should form a harmonious whole that can be combined in various ways.
The quest for coherence among our different products is essential to create a holistic experience for you.
I constantly strive to refine our designs so that they are not only modern but also timeless. My desire is to deliver products that can be a part of your home for many years and still feel just as relevant and beautiful as the day you received them.
I believe that when quality and aesthetics go hand in hand, timeless stories are created in each and every product, and that is precisely what we aim to achieve with Timeless Tales.”
Stine Rosgaard's statement about the collection.
Slow living is a choice and a commitment, as busy women, entrepreneurs and mothers of toddlers, how do your keep "slowness" as a life style and in your daily routines?
It is very true that it's a choice, and it's something we strive to uphold in our daily lives at Wabi Sabi Nordic.
For us, it's about balance and giving ourselves and each other the space to do things in a way that makes sense for the business and for our family life at home.
Our jobs require a lot of energy and passion - and often, quite a few hours, but they also provide a freedom and flexibility that allow us to create a daily life tailored to our current family life. We both have young children whom we want to be present for. So, we pick them up early when needed, and sometimes we work a bit in the evening when the house is quiet again.
For us, it's about setting realistic goals for the day and supporting each other in resting in that and not creating an unrealistic to-do list for the day.
It's something we really focus on right now because we've realized that it gives both of us a sense of calm to complete the day's to-do list and not always feel behind.
Additionally, we've created an environment in our showroom that invites tranquility. The natural and aesthetic materials, along with jazz in the speakers and our favorite scent in the diffuser, create an atmosphere in which we thrive and work well - and that also means a lot to our daily lives.
We are both mothers with a capital "M," but we are also career women, who thrive in our work. For us, it hasn't been a choice of one or the other.
It's about making room to recognize that at times, work takes precedence, while at other times, family is the main focus.
And we constantly try to support and help each other maintain the right balance at any given time.
“We believe that we are better mothers by having a job we are passionate about and that we also become better at our work by being mothers.”
Stine Rosgaard, wabisabinordic
All photos are owned by A Slow Way Photography.
Danish Version:
Kære Wabi Sabi Nordic, vil I fortælle mig om jeres eventyr?
Wabi Sabi Nordic blev skabt af stifter Stine Rosgaard i 2020. På daværende tidspunkt istandsatte Stine sammen med sin kæreste et rækkehus, hvor de brugte nogle meget smukke marmorfliser flere steder i huset. En flise knækkede, og Stine synes det var spild og synd blot at smide den ud.
De manglede selv knager til entreen, og ideen opstod, hvorfor ikke lave dem, af den knækkede flise. Og sådan startede det, med en lille rund knage, som Stine selv stod og lavede i baghaven i Højbjerg. Knagen blev lagt på Instagram, hvor flere gerne ville købe den, og pludselig var der ikke langt fra tanke til handling - Wabi SABI NORDIC var skabt. Navnet, stødte Stine på i en smuk bog af samme navn. Wabi Sabi er et japansk begreb, der løst oversat betyder skønheden i det uperfekte. En filosofi, der passede perfekt til Stine visioner for hendes nye virksomhed.
For med Wabi Sabi Nordic ønsker Stine netop at se det smukke i de naturlige materialer og bibeholde de “uperfekte” naturskabte detaljer.
Derudover startede det hele med, at Stine udelukkende brugte spild og rester fra andres stenproduktion, materialer andre ikke ville have.
Knagerne blev lavet og solgt, og nye designs kom til. Det første møbel var Venus, vores sidebord, som stadig er i sortiment i dag. Efterspørgslen på flere og større møbler var der, og det betød, at Stine ikke længere kunne lave det hele selv i baghaven. Derfor fandt Stine den perfekte produktion i Tyrkiet, som vi stadig arbejder tæt sammen med i dag, og baghaven blev skiftet ud med et nyt smukt råt showroom/kontor/lager/værksted i Brabrand, hvor virksomheden stadig holder til i dag.
For halvandet år siden ansatte Stine sin første medarbejder Stine Appel, som sidder som PR & Sales Manager, så i dag er det et lille team, der arbejder med Wabi Sabi Nordic.
Meget er sket på de godt 3,5 år, men visionerne forbliver. For Stine er det vigtigt at skabe møbler og objekter af høj kvalitet, der kan holde i generationer.
Kærligheden og fascinationen til materialet, natursten, er også stadig den samme. Det er ikke et let materiale at arbejde med, men det har en kvalitet og æstetik, der er helt unik og tidløs, og som virkelig er blevet en kerne dna for brandet.
Hvordan udtrykker I “slowness” (langsomhed) i jeres design?
Slowness kommer i høj grad til udtryk gennem de naturlige materialer og det gode håndværk, noget vi værner meget om. Vi ønsker at bevare alle de naturlige detaljer, så materialet fremstår så ægte og naturligt som muligt.
Et materiale vi ofte bruger er travertin, hvor vand gennem millioner af år har skabt en masse huller og kløfter i kalkstenen. Dette giver de smukkeste detaljer i vores designs, som vi personligt holder meget af. Det gør hvert design unikt, og det giver en taktilitet, der pirrer øjet. Vi elsker, at man kan se naturens arbejde i vores produkter.
Derudover arbejder vi udelukkende med tidløs formgivning. Dette er både for at give materialet den plads, som det fortjener, men også for at det er langtidsholdbart design, som man kan se i sit hjem i mange, mange år.
“Slow living” er et tilvalg; I er mødre til små børn, selvstændige karrierekvinder. Hvordan finder I balance i en travl hverdag?
Det er meget rigtigt, at det er et valg, og det er noget, vi bestræber os meget på at efterleve i vores hverdag i Wabi Sabi Nordic.
For os handler det om balance, og om at give os selv og hinanden plads til at gøre tingene på en måde, der både giver mening for virksomheden og for familielivet derhjemme.
Vores job kræver meget energi og passion - og ofte en del timer, men det giver også en frihed og fleksibilitet, som giver os mulighed for at skabe en hverdag, der er tilpasset vores nuværende familieliv.
Vi har begge små børn, som vi ønsker at være nærværende overfor. Derfor henter vi tidligt, når der er brug for det, og så kan det være vi sidder lidt om aftenen, når der igen er ro i huset.
Det er ikke altid let, og vi øver os meget i at huske på, at ting tager tid, så vi ikke hele tiden føler os presset over alt det, vi gerne vil. For os handler det meget om at sætte realistiske mål for dagen, og støtte hinanden i at hvile i det, og dermed ikke lave en evig urealistisk to-do for dagen.
Det er noget, vi virkelig har fokus på lige nu, da vi har fundet ud af, at det giver os begge en ro, at man når dagens to-do, og ikke altid er bagefter.
Derudover har vi skabt nogle omgivelser i vores showroom, som for os indbyder til ro.
De naturlige og æstetiske materiale sammen med jazz i højtaleren og vores yndlings duft i vores diffuser skaber en stemning, som vi trives i og arbejder godt i - og det betyder også meget for vores hverdag.
Vi er begge mødre med stort M, men vi er også begge karrierekvinder, der trives med at arbejde. For os har det derfor ikke været et valg om det ene eller det andet.
Det handler om at give plads til at i perioder er det arbejdet der fylder meget, mens det i andre perioder er familien, der er størst fokus på.
Og så forsøger vi hele tiden at støtte og hjælpe hinanden med at have den rette balance på det pågældende tidspunkt. Vi tror på, at vi er bedre mødre ved at have et job vi er passioneret omkring, men også at vi bliver bedre til vores arbejde ved at være mødre.
Thank you Wabi Sabi Nordic! Tak!
#02 Sif Rude: “Slowness” is the opportunity and ability to immerse oneself deeply.
A conversation on “Slowness” with Sif Rude, a Danish female visual artist.
I had the pleasure to interview Sif Rude, a Danish woman visual artist, about how she sees and integrates the concept of “Slowness” into her beautiful paintings and visual creations. Our conversation took place in Danish at her studio in Aarhus, Denmark.
I photo-documented Sifs creative process and her deepening into slowness.
Thank you Sif, for your trust, your words and your inspirational paintings. Your work resonates deeply within me.
You can read the article below in Danish and in English.
Kære Sif, vil du fortælle lidt om dig og om din kunst.
Tak. Jeg er glad og stolt over at invitere dig/jer med ind i mine tanker.
Jeg er oliemaler og jeg lever af min kunst. Netop de to ting beskriver mig fint, for det er to store og ganske særlige valg, som har brolagt min tilværelse.
Grundlæggende maler jeg store, organiske værker i olie og blæk. De dækker gerne en halv væg, så de omfavner beskueren. I afdæmpede, knækkede og naturlige farver. Mine værker veksler mellem meget lyse og meget mørke fremstillinger. Jeg tror, at det er den skandinaviske oplevelse af årstiden, der bider sig fast. Ikke mindst et ønske om at drømme sig væk i den her cykliske rundgang. Det vender jeg tilbage til.
Når jeg har malet, er jeg altid forsvundet ind i et mentalt rum. Et godt værk kræver udelt koncentration. Men dér, hvor malehandlingen har givet bedst mening for mig, var, når jeg har et publikum til det rum. Jeg maler så at sige både for mig selv og endnu højere grad til andre. Mine værker har altid skabt assonans i mennesker uden for mig og jeg har solgt både som femårig og tyveårig. Det er en utrolig fremdrift at opleve lys i andres øjne, en form for genkendelse og mening. Derfor maler jeg.
Men jeg maler også, fordi jeg holder af materialet. Oliemaleri har en skøn, klassisk og lidt støvet historie, der indebar fortællinger om magt, adgang og skønhed. Jeg synes, at det er vigtigt at være med til at definere den skønhed og derfor arbejder jeg med oliemaleriet i både klassisk og kontemporær forstand.
Olie består af linolie og en vifte af forskellige mineraler. Man kan selv blande malingen af knuste sten, hvis man ønsker. Så råt og simpelt er det. Og på den måde er mediet fantastisk jordbundent på sin helt egen piedestal, da diverse pigmenter til malingen historisk har været meget kostbare.
Så har jeg på det seneste fået en lille kærlighed til japansk tusch og blæk. I direkte kontrast til olien, fordi de vandopløselige medier er så levende og ligetil. Jeg holder meget af at veksle mellem de to medier.
“At vælge at være kunstmaler er også et livsvalg og en overbevisning. Jeg lever meget anderledes end de fleste og skal selv finde min vej i alle praktiske og professionelle problemstillinger. Hvor har jeg sendt mange tanker til “meningen” med det valg. Grundlæggende handler det om frihed og værdi”.
Hvad betyder "slowness" for dig, og hvad er "din slow way"?
Slowness eller langsommelighed er for mig muligheden og evnen til fordybelse. Jeg tror, at det er en evne, man kan miste, hvis man ikke værner om den.
Det er evnen til at indgå i en handling, som ikke umiddelbart har et sigte eller et bestemt endemål, men som et meningsfuldt. Jeg vil gerne sammenligne det med eksempelvis at opleve kunst eller litteratur. Det er ikke et instrument. I hvert fald ikke i sin rene form.
Det er måske vigtigt at praktisere og finde rum til, for jeg oplever, at verden har en tendens til gerne at accelerere hurtigere. Derfor er langsommelighed et tilvalg. Det opstår sjældent af sig selv, oplever jeg.
Jeg tænker straks på naturen. Jeg er vokset op fem kilometer ude i en privat og meget afsidesliggende skov. Det er et af de eneste steder i Danmark, hvor der kan være helt tyst. Bare at gå. Lytte. Se en sølvsmed og dufte til den solvarme jord. Højt græs. Lyng. Skovsøer med sort, skønt vand. Skoven dér har givet mig mine øjne.
Hvordan udtrykker du"slowness" i din kunst?
Mine olieværker tager gerne op til et år om at tørre. Selve mediet indebærer derfor en langsommelighed, som er både upraktisk og dejlig.
Det giver mulighed for teknikker og tanke. Og så tørrer olien op med en udsøgt dybde og glans.
Men mine motiver og mit farvevalg kredser også om dybet. Det er mit største ønske at skildre det her dyb, til min beskuer. Derfor har jeg også arbejdet meget med søvand og spejling. I de her vande er det mulighed for at se ned og op på samme tid og det motiv kan jeg slet ikke slippe. Jeg har stor forståelse for, at kunstnere helt fra Monet til Hockney og i dag eksempelvis Kinga Bartis arbejder med vandets opløsende, metamorfosiske spejl. Dét bare et lille udsnit. Selv vil jeg gerne kigge længere ned og finde den her svævende ro i uro, som vand kan bade os i. Motivet har jo historie for renselse, det er livgivende og omskifteligt.
I omskiftelige tider er der vel netop en ro i at lade motiver og symboler opløses i et klassisk motiv som vand. Det skildrer måske både en afmagt, men også et ønske om at give sig hen til elementerne og stole på dem. Vi er blevet så usikre i at stole på naturen, at vi hverken forvalter den godt eller forbinder os med den. Jeg er overbevist om, at større forbindelse er den største gave.
Hvis jeg kan bringe blot ét billede på dét, så er jeg i mine øjne lykkedes.
Hvordan bruger du "slowness" som en kilde til din inspiration?
Langsommelighed er et tilvalg og den overbevisning bruger jeg hver dag. Jeg har købt en kaffekande, der er umådeligt langsom helt med vilje. Vandet ligesom risler ud af den på japansk facon. Det er meget ineffektivt, men mens jeg hælder det kogende vand over mine bønner, vandrer tankerne ofte kedsommeligt langt væk på en ret fin måde.
Kunsten er også blevet en del af mit liv fra et ønske om langsommelighed samt fordybelse for både mig og andre.
Maleprocessen er helt umådelig intens samt dyb og det ligesom renser hjernen.
Oplevelsen ved en gåtur, en rejse eller livet selv er jo at standse op og dvæle ved det uventede. Det er starten på alt nyt og ofte godt. Kender du ikke tilfredsstillelse ved at stille sætte sig ved en bænk eller en sø og se livet ske? Det er ofte dér, at jeg oplever noget meget bevægende.
Hvad lærer "slowness" dig?
“Slowness/langsommelighed lærer mig først og fremmest noget som begreb. At der er et fænomen og et fokus”.
Vi må ikke glemme vores krop og at det er den, vi oplever med. Den er forankret i en fysisk verden og det overser vi så nemt. Derfor minder begrebet mig om, hvor vigtige fysiske kunstværker er for vores væren i verden. De kan ligesom tilbyde et rum, hvor kroppen også er inviteret med.
Sif Rude, sifrude.com
English Version:
Dear Sif, would you please tell us a bit about yourself and your art.
Thank you. I am happy and proud to invite you all into my thoughts. I am an oil painter, and I make a living from my art. These two aspects define me well, as they are two significant and unique choices that have paved my path in life.
At its core, I paint large, organic works in oil and ink. They often cover half a wall, embracing the viewer. I use subdued, muted, and natural colors. My works alternate between very bright and very dark depictions. I believe it's the Scandinavian experience of the seasons that lingers in my art. Not least, a desire to dream my way through this cyclical cycle. I'll come back to that.
When I paint, I always disappear into a mental space. A good piece requires undivided concentration. But where the act of painting has made the most sense to me is when I have an audience for that space. In a way, I paint for both myself and, to an even greater extent, for others. My works have always resonated with people outside of me, and I have sold my art since I was five years old and later at the age of twenty. It's an incredible drive to see the light in others' eyes, a form of recognition and meaning. That's why I paint.
But I also paint because I love the material. Oil painting has a delightful, classical, and somewhat dusty history, involving stories of power, access, and beauty. I believe it's important to contribute to defining that beauty, and that's why I work with oil painting in both a classical and contemporary sense.
Oil consists of linseed oil and a variety of different minerals. You can even mix the paint yourself from crushed stones if you wish. It's that raw and simple. In this way, the medium is wonderfully grounded on its very own pedestal since various pigments for painting historically have been quite precious.
Lately, I've developed a little love for Japanese ink and ink wash. It's in direct contrast to oil because these water-soluble mediums are so lively and straightforward. I enjoy switching between the two mediums.
Choosing to be an artist is also a life choice and a conviction. I live very differently from most people and have to find my own way in all practical and professional matters. I've given a lot of thought to the "meaning" of this choice. At its core, it's about freedom and value.
What does "slowness" mean to you, and what is "your slow way"?
Slowness is to me the opportunity and ability to immerse oneself deeply.
I believe it's a skill that can be lost if not cherished. It's the ability to engage in an activity that doesn't immediately have a purpose or a specific end goal but is meaningful in itself.
It may be important to practice and create space for it because I've observed that the world tends to accelerate quickly. Therefore, slowness is a deliberate choice. It rarely happens on its own, in my experience.
I immediately think of nature. I grew up five kilometers into a private and very remote forest. It's one of the few places in Denmark where it can be completely silent. Just to walk. Listen. See a dragonfly and smell the sun-warmed earth. Tall grass. Heather. Forest lakes with dark, beautiful water. That forest has given me my eyes.
How do you express "slowness" in your art?
My oil paintings often take up to a year to dry. The medium itself entails a slowness that is both impractical and delightful. It provides room for techniques and thoughts, and the oil dries with an exquisite depth and gloss.
But my subjects and my choice of colors also revolve around depth. My greatest wish is to portray this depth to my viewers. That's why I've also worked extensively with seawater and reflections. In these waters, there's the opportunity to see both down and up at the same time, and I can't let go of that motif. I have a deep understanding that artists from Monet to Hockney and contemporary artists like Kinga Bartis work with water's dissolving, metamorphic mirror. That's just a small part of it. Personally, I want to look deeper and find that floating calm within turmoil, which water can immerse us in. The motif has a history of purification; it is life-giving and ever-changing.
In times of change, perhaps there is a sense of calm in letting motifs and symbols dissolve in a classic motif like water. It might depict both a sense of powerlessness and a desire to surrender to the elements and trust them. We have become so uncertain about trusting nature that we neither manage it well nor connect with it. I am convinced that a deeper connection is the greatest gift.
If I can convey just one image of that, then I consider myself successful in my eyes.
How do you use "slowness" as a source of inspiration?
Slowness is a deliberate choice, and I apply that conviction every day. I've intentionally bought a coffee pot that is incredibly slow. The water trickles out of it in a Japanese manner. It's very inefficient, but as I pour the boiling water over my beans, my thoughts often wander, boringly far away in a rather pleasant way.
Art has also become a part of my life from a desire for slowness and depth, both for myself and others. The process of painting is incredibly intense and deep, and it's like a brain cleanse.
The experience of taking a walk, traveling, or life itself is about stopping and dwelling on the unexpected. It's the beginning of everything new and often good. Don't you know the satisfaction of sitting by a bench or a lake and watching life happen? It's often in those moments that I experience something very moving.
Sif Rude, sifrude.com
What does "slowness" teach you?
Slowness, first and foremost, teaches me something as a concept. It highlights the existence of a phenomenon and a focus.
We must not forget our bodies, as it is through them that we experience the world. Our bodies are anchored in a physical reality, and that's something we often overlook. Therefore, the concept of slowness reminds me of how important physical artworks are to our existence in the world. They can offer a space where the body is also invited to participate.
Thank you, Sif Rude.
All photos are copyrighted by A Slow Way Photography.
#01 Bringing slowness into your life.
Welcome to A Slow Way, a community of conscious people that share their love for slowness.
Welcome to A Slow Way,
My intention behind a slow way journal, is to slowly grow a space, a community of like-minded, heart-centered conscious people that share their love for slowness.
A slow way journal is an online universe gathering “real life” interviews, sharings, rituals, visual stories, conversations that I have with people I meet along my journey, and that inspire me. At times, I will share my own reflections on slowness as well.
Here you will meet creatives, holistics, spirituals, artists of all kind, authors, beauty seekers of all ages, people that have chosen a slower path, a more sustainable lifestyle, solopreneurs, small slow ethical brands, health-lovers and many more.
I would like this glocal (global, local) universe to provide a sacred space, where we go wide and inclusive, and at the same time, where we dive deep together into slowness.
I hope a slow way journal and community
will inspire you to celebrate your own slow way.
Let us create together a more self-sufficient, kind, aware, loving and slow way into our daily life, routines and rituals.
Let us bring more slowness into our lives.
Much love and light from me to you,
Gabi.