"Rosemaling enhances the love of our native Scandinavian culture..." 

                -Elizabeth Leese

News Flash:

2/22/2008: Events page updated.

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1/12/2005: Elizabeth wins First Place in the Advanced category at the 2005 Western Rosemaler's Association jouried show of Norwegion Rosemaling at the Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle.

She also recently participated in Western Rosemaler's five-day workshop at Seabeck, WA.  It featured Gubrandsdal-style painting with Judy Ritger, a Vesterheim Gold Medalist.

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Located on Whidbey Island, Bestemor's Farm was established in 2001 by Elizabeth Leese.  She began painting in the Rogaland-style in 1981 under the instruction of Leslie Roberts, a former student of Vi Thode. 

Elizabeth is now a member of Western Rosemalers and is pursuing further education in the Gubrandsdal, Hallingdall and Red Emroidery styles through workshops in these areas of the art.  Since 2001 Elizabeth has been teaching rosemaling to the Norwegian community.  She was awarded a folk arts apprenticeship grant from the Washington State Arts Commission for 2001/2002.

In addition to teaching lessons, Mrs. Leese is active in the local chapter of Daughter's of Norway, providing instruction, commission work and inspiration through Nordic Fest, Scandinavian Fair in Bellingham and the Grand Lodge Convention 2004 on Whidbey Island.

"Reaching for connectedness to the past while bringing the creative tradition of rosemaling into the future..."

     "Rosemaling set my feet on the path of discovery of my Norwegian Grandmother's love of her native land.  As a result I became involved with the local chapter of Daughters of Norway of the Pacific Coast.  Through this connection I have become acquainted with broad areas of culture in Norway: cooking, carving, music, dance, legend, and literature.
      Rosemaling brings tradition to the awareness of new generations of Scandinavians.  It enhances lives with it's enduring, beautiful, useful qualities. It is connected to the great traditions of a richly endowed culture and interwoven into generations of every day life in Norway.  It continues this tradition as a living art.  My students reach for the connectedness to the past while bringing this creative tradition into the future."     

                      -Elizabeth Leese

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