November 2020: I acquired Knudsen's old net workshop at Æ Tysk'havn in Hvide Sande, establishing Genarbejd (Rework in Danish).
Fresh from building our tiny artist's house, I envisioned a business creating interior pieces, furniture and souvenirs from driftwood and reclaimed materials. No business plan—just enthusiasm and scattered ideas.
The venture showed promise. I completed notable interior projects for our local smokehouse, the heating plant, a bakery, and SPAR, earning positive recognition. The souvenir fish sold well too. Yet profitability proved elusive.
Too much time spent sourcing materials, coupled with poor strategic planning and over-diversification undermined my business model.
Meanwhile, my passion for painting intensified. I developed a distinctive style creating weathered, time-worn canvas pieces. Choosing artistic integrity over commercial appeal, I painted what spoke to me, regardless of market demands. This approach drained finances but definitely fed my soul.
Peek into my studio chaos; snippets from my latest experiments.
Then came the unexpected turning point.
One Sunday morning in June, gallerist Kasper Juul Melhede visited my studio. Within minutes, he invited me to participate in Sensommer at Galleri Juul.
The exhibition in August-September 2024 proved successful, with two large pieces sold. This improbable encounter gave me the confidence to close Genarbejd and commit fully to painting.
In retrospect, it was precisely my decision to paint without commercial constraints that led to noteworthy work. Playing it safe often limits growth, while full commitment enables true progress.
No playing it safe here. The studio? It's basically my playground and mad scientist lab rolled into one.
Looking ahead, I'm now preparing for THE ART FAIR in Aarhus this January. My newest pieces incorporate workshop hand cleaning paper alongside other reclaimed materials, merging my artistic vision with my passion for upcycling. The collection will feature driftwood and flotsam, bringing my recycling concepts full circle in these experimental canvases.
Therefore I also daily repeat the lesson: though hedging feels secure when backed against a wall, its hidden cost far exceeds the risk of going all in.
On that creative note; here's to a magical Christmas and brilliant new adventures waiting in 2025!
