About Kolbitar
The purpose of Kolbitar is to be a platform through which I can explore and share my Nordic folk art journey, as well as take the occasional look into broader Nordic culture. For years now I have been in love with my Swedish heritage, and this interest has also extended into that of my other Nordic cousins. There is so much about the Nordic culture that I find rich and fascinating, so much I find worthy of reflection, and the folk art is so vibrant and inspiring. I hope you also enjoy going on this adventure with me, and find your own life enriched by traditional Nordic culture.
The Artist
Kathryn Larson
I am a 29 year old Swedish-American living in Aurora, NE. My journey into my Nordic heritage began at home with my family's Swedish Christmas (Jul) traditions, and then carried on into my college years at North Park University in Chicago. There I had the opportunity to learn some of the Swedish language, and to go on an exchange program to Södra Vätterbygdens Folkhögskola (SVF) in the city of Jönköping in 2012. I have also been involved with the Nordic Folk Dancers of Chicago, the Friends of the Viking Ship (FOVS), and the Swedish American Museum. My adventures in folk painting began in the summer of 2017 when I met Sandy Braun, who taught me how to do dalmålning. I want to continue to delve into my Nordic heritage, engage in its art forms, and be able to share my passion for my culture with others.
The Artwork
Nordic Folk Art
Most of the Nordic folk art pieces that I do are in the styles of Swedish dalmålning and Norwegian rosemaling. Both originated in the rural valleys of Scandinavia in the 18th century, and were very much the artwork of the people. Nordic folk art was meant to be both decorative yet functional, bringing together both the need for practicality and the need for beauty in daily life. Most of my pieces are made of wood or tin, and are painted with acrylic paints. I try to maintain as much authenticity as possible in my traditional designs, while also allowing myself to experiment and branch out into multiple aesthetics. I also draw a lot of inspiration from Viking artwork, and Japanese manga/anime for my digital drawings.
The Name
"Kolbitar"
"Kolbitar" is an Icelandic word, translating to "coal biters" in English. The term is a nickname, given to the Old Norse storytellers who were said to sit so close to the hearth that they appeared to be practically "biting" the coals. When first implemented, this nickname was meant to be derogatory, as Viking culture valued joining the hunt and dying bravely in battle over staying warm and cozy (hygge) at home. However, the modern attitude over the name has been shifting, with some starting to use it to refer fondly to those who have striven to keep the old traditions alive. In the 1920's, the term also caught the attention of famous writers J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, who formed an Old Norse language and literature club at Oxford which they dubbed, Kolbitar. It is my hope that in also taking on the name I can be part of a legacy to keep some of the old Nordic traditions alive, and to share them with the wider world in my own little way.
The Vision
Adding to the Smörgåsbord
We all have something that we can contribute to the grand smörgåsbord of human life. We all have our gifts, talents and insights, and we are called to share them with the wider world. In a world increasingly anxious, scrambling for identity, and longing for beauty, it is my hope that my work through Kolbitar can help to bring some of those elements together, and encourage others to see the unique beauty of traditional culture in our world. In the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matt. 13:31-32), Jesus told how the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed - so small at first, but then growing into a great tree that gives shelter to many birds. It is my hope that my work may also be like such a seed - growing into something that bears good fruit for the smörgåsbord of larger human life, and that my little contribution may bring some satisfaction to those hungering for beauty, story and purpose; all of which converge in Nordic folk art.