Nancy Odalen

Nancy is drawn to Rosemaling because it is a part of her heritage. She is the granddaughter of an adventurous sailor who sailed around the world one and a half times before jumping ship in Australia, her grandmother traveled to the United States, by herself, at the age of 23. The palette that Nancy uses in her Rosemaling echo’s the colors found in the shimmering clear coastal light of the west coast of Norway. The freedom and movement found in her rosemaling mirrors the traditions of her ancestors and the adventure that both of Nancy’s grandparents embarked upon as they left Norway to find a new life.

Her journey in the study of Rosemaling began with her first Vesterheim Rosemaling class in 2001. She has taken classes from instructors that have given generously of their time and talents.

Nancy was humbled to have received a Vesterheim Gold Medal in 2022 after earning ribbons on 5 pieces, including one Best in Show at the Vesterheim Folk Art Exhibition. She has received grants from the Wisconsin Arts Board as a Master Artist to two apprentices, one in 2020-21 and the other in 2022-23. She is also a recipient of one of the 2022-23 Folk Artist Residency grants from Vesterheim.

As a Rosemaler, Nancy continues to learn from the old works as she creates designs that sing to her soul. It is her true joy to share her passion, enthusiasm, and knowledge of Rosemaling with others.

What energizes you as you consider the future of the arts in Wisconsin?

What excites me the most is that I am seeing a Rosemaling revival, where younger artists in Wisconsin are opening their minds to a new and different way of approaching this art form, while still honoring the traditions of the old master’s from Norway. They can study with exceptional instructors that are passionate about Rosemaling and where there is a free flow of ideas and discovery during their yearlong artistic journey of enlightenment and inventiveness. No longer do they need to rely upon designs created by contemporary artists but can create finished pieces using their own designs or rosemaling ‘free hand’. They use their own voice when translating what they see in the old works, and what they have learned during their apprenticeship, and their completed work is an inspiration to all. These young artists are curious about techniques, paint colors and how the design elements were interpreted from area to area in Norway and by each artist. During and after their apprenticeship, they are traveling to museums in the United States and Norway to view collections of Scandinavian artifacts or to learn from Norwegian Artists. I am proud to be a part of this revival, where artistic expression flows out from our very soul and where this art form can live and breathe as it is carried forward into the next generation of Rosemalers here in Wisconsin and beyond.

Where can we find your work?

Normally I show my pieces during Stoughton Wisconsin Syttenden Mai event which is held around the 17^th of May each year, and also at Vesterheim’s Nordic Fest which is held the last Thursday-Saturday in the month of July. This event is in Decorah, Iowa.

Otherwise people can contact me via email: Vestlandetrosemaling@yahoo.com