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Gamli skóli (Old School), Hrísey Island, Iceland

October 2021 

Hrísey Island, steeped in Viking lore and rich traditions, is often described as a magical place. Nestled in a fjord and framed by the stunning snow-capped Tröllaskagi (Troll Peninsula), it features adventurous pathways weaving through vibrant Angelica fields. My June 2020 residency was postponed due to the pandemic, and it wasn't until two weeks before my rescheduled October 2021 departure that I learned I could finally go. I was thrilled when travel restrictions lifted, revealing a quieter island than during my family trip in 2018. Upon landing in Akureyri, Linda, the residency's manager, drove me from the airport to the island ferry and asked, "Do you like being alone?" It turned out that the other artists had canceled, leaving me to embrace the solitude and connect with the islanders throughout the month. I welcomed the peace, seeking simplicity and finding inspiration in this rugged, ethereal landscape.

Gamli Skoli

Paintings

I wanted to convey the unique extremes of the Northern color palette, and the ever-changing light revealing dynamic shapes of volcanic earth, in the stunning Icelandic landscape.

I used water-soluble oils and watercolors in Iceland. When I returned home I made my own paints from non-toxic mediums blended with raw pigments.

© 2023 Carrie Barcomb

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