Lennart Helje is a Swedish illustrator particularly known for his wondrously moody paintings of gnomes either with animals or without, but usually with snow. He was born in Lima (I'm assuming a village or city in Sweden and not the Lima of Peru) in 1940.
I am very fond of his work and fancy that I can spot a Lennart Helje illustration at twenty paces. The first thing I think of when I see his work is: softness. There is such welcoming softness in this cozy world of gnomes and snow and friendly animals. Just lovely, comforting work.
Perfect, I think, for a quiet Monday after an exciting holiday weekend.
Utterly charming.
ReplyDeleteI think so too, Patti. :) This guy has created his own special world.
ReplyDeleteLennart Helje's paintings have so much warmth about them that even scenes of heavy snow and bare trees convey a feeling that is far from cold. All of these illustrations are lovely and the one of the great snowy tree with red birds seems to me especially magical.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Lennart Helje's artwork is comforting indeed. When I arrived at your blog page and laid eyes upon them, I raised my cup of hot cocoa and outlouded, "Here's to the day that should have been!"
ReplyDeleteThank-you for posting all these gnomey wonderfuls! I had a day from hell and was fretting as to how would I ever settle myself?!?! Muchly appreciated I am of you for rescuing me with all these lovely and, again, comforting images.
Animals, in paintings or otherwise, are often more comforting than people. They have no expectations. Lennart Helje's cute-little gnome looks content and his animals seem equally so having him around, or being around him. Terrific art, though. Gnome in the tree — I really liked that one. A little dash of red against a snow-white backdrop. You could conjure up any mental imagery with it.
ReplyDeleteEve: Yes, you're right. This snowy world is filled with warmth. There's not a shiver to he had.
ReplyDeleteThe illustration you noted is my current Desktop Background. :)
Oh, Sparkle, I'm so sorry you had a bad day. Sometimes fate knocks us for a loop when what we want most is to enjoy ourselves. Here's hoping your New Years weekend is much, MUCH more to your liking. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed my post and that Helje's artwork helped you in any small way. :)
Prashant: Yes, this artwork inspires all sorts of story telling, story building. I love it.
ReplyDeleteThe Swedish artists really seem to understand their fables and myths and it transfers well to their art.
The funny thing is that it's all instantly sort of recognizable to the rest of us.
Handsome work, and I usually don't find gnomes that charming.
ReplyDeleteSo...any film or A/V for Tuesday?
I'm working on it as we speak, Todd. You know I'd never let you down. I'm just running very late today.
ReplyDeletePlease bear with me and I'll soon have a post and link for you. :)
Glad you liked Helje's gnomes.
As frequently, I have my own to get down in pixels, so feel no pressure!
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful paintings. I have a feeling I've seen some of these before.
ReplyDeleteNot such a fan of gnomes (I'm not even sure what they are in various folk lores), but I love the animals -- the foxes, cats, moose, sheep -- and the trees and snow.
They convey a cozy feeling, even in the cold and snow. I just want to be with the cat on the sled, or curled up with the sheep, fox or moose.
"Charming" is the word for these images - I'm charmed. I like the use of the animals as a scale reference - somehow the gnome seems a little vulnerable next to the cat in that first illustration, but they obviously are in rapport.
ReplyDeleteKathy: I have a tiny gnome who sits on my desk and wishes me good luck. At least, I like to think so. He is adorable. I've had him for years and years.
ReplyDeleteThese are warm and cozy paintings and no less charming for it because they are not cloying.
Mark: Yes, I agree, they are charmingly in rapport.
ReplyDeleteCharm can be deadly, but in this instance, it is very agreeable.
Strange paintings but quite wonderful! I love the red foxes and the cats!
ReplyDeleteWillow: Yes, me too. I love the whole world created here.
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