The Problem with Chickens

Gunnella, Icelandic Artist & Illustrater

Calling Gunnella the illustrater of this adorable book is like saying the egg came before the chicken. Or is that the chicken before the egg? I can never decide. And that's just one problem with chickens. According to Bruce McMillan's story they are quite the characters, immitating the ladies to the point that they never get around to laying eggs. So, maybe the chicken did come first...I guess we could debate that all the day long, and many have.

In the case of this book, the chickens definitely came first. In fact, Bruce met Gunnella and discovered her paintings of chickens and fell in love with them. The paintings inspired the story. This is a must read for children and adults of all ages. It's light, funny and the paintings are beautiful.

Each of Gunnella's paintings tell a story of their own. We have 6 of Gunnella's paintings available in canvas giclee prints for very reasonable prices and can get originals, although they have to be posted from Iceland. The book retails at $16.00 and is available at the gallery. We will also mail it (postage on us), to introduce you to this fabulous Icelandic artist. If you are interested in seeing images of Gunnella's work, visit our website at www.listhusgallery.com. There you can view the canvas giclee we have available and can also request more information about Gunnella and current originals available.

Companions, by Sigrún Lára Shanko

Sigrún Lára Shanko of Shanko Silk in Reykjavik has developed a unique multi-layered technique using relief, painting, dyeing and batiking, to create an image with depth and intensity. Each piece tells a story, or saga, of the old days of Vikings and Norse gods. For example, the tondo shown here, called Companions, or Wealth, relates the Havamal 47 which says, "I once was young. I was traveling alone and lost my way. Rich, I thought myself when I met another. Man is the joy of Man." A close examination of the piece reveals runic letters in a spiral in the background of the entire painting. These runes from about 500 AD, quote the Havamal 47. The picture in the middle is of two Viking ships passing, or meeting along the way. The ships even appear as if they are entertwined together, as in a joyous embrace. Sigrún says that she uses this technique of writing the poems in runes so that the words don't take over the picture, and the subtile batiking and many layers of painting and dyeing does not allow the picture to overcome the words either. This artwork is exquisite! To see a closer view of it, or learn more about Sigrún Lára Shanko visit our website at http://www.listhusgallery.com/, which will be up and running on March 1st.

A little bit about Icelandic Art

Did you know that Iceland has more artists per capita than any other country? There is an amazing amount of talent in all the arts. The paintings, the sculpture, the poetry, the food, ooh-la-la! Nearly every little town has at least one major sculpture in a prominent public place. Most people in Iceland decorate with original pieces of art, and most artists never have prints or copies made of their artwork. That being said, I know a few of the artists and love their work so much that I talked them into allowing me to publish their work into giclee for sale in the U.S. and abroad, but not in Iceland. It is with this in mind that I begin this blog. Once or twice a week I'll come in here and feature another work of art by one of the artists we publish. If you are interested in purchasing one of these prints, or an original by any of these artists, please contact me at fireandicepublishing@gmail.com.

The painting on this page is called the Mariners' Prayer, painted in oil on canvas by Bjarni Jonsson. Bjarni painted the Icelandic fishing history for more than 50 years. He illustrated Icelands encyclopedias of the fishing industry which came in 5 volumes. His paintings are technically accurate while telling the compelling story of the life of a fisherman in Iceland.

Mariner's Prayer is available in giclee, however the entire edition is only 5 artist proofs, signed and numbered by Bjarni. He passed away late last year before we could proceed with

any further printing. We have 4 of his paintings available in giclee, the only prints that will ever be made that bear his original signature.