Lise Lorentzen - Rosemaling

Lise Lorentzen is a relative newcomer to Harford County. A BRAC “refuge”, as she jokingly refers to herself, she hails from Staten Island, NY. Lise grew up in a household with strong ties to the American Norwegian community, which included her church, Sons of Norway, and family back in the “old” country. She was a child that always played with paints, so it was natural for her parents to enroll her in a Rosemaling course that was given at her local Sons of Norway lodge. Rosemaling is a Norwegian decorative art traditionally done on wood that began its development in the late 1600’s. Due to Norway’s rich artisan heritage, this decorative painting was expanded upon and developed into numerous styles. It is a thriving art form with participants from all over the United States, Norway, Canada, Japan and many other countries.

Lise has been Rosemaling since the age of 12 and covers over 30 years of experience, specializing in custom painting of woodenware, furniture and home interiors. Her work can be found throughout the United States and Norway due to the business, Thor-Kraft, that she had with her father from the age of 15-25, and her commission work that has continued to present day. Her expertise covers the Hallingdal, Rogaland, Vest Agdar and Valdres styles, specializing in Telemark Rosemaling. While living on Staten Island, she was also known as a muralist, decorating many an interior with her other painting skills throughout the five boroughs.

Lise has been fortunate to study under many renowned Norwegian and American artists. Before moving to Maryland, Lise completed the New York State Council of the Arts (NYSCA) folk arts apprenticeship program studying with master artist Eldrid Arntzen, a National Endowment of the Arts recipient. She has also studied and taught Rosemaling at the Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts in Ludlow, Vt. for 20+ years. Lise is a member of Vesterheim, a Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, IA, which hosts an annual national competition in which she has participated in and received honorable mention on numerous occasions. She has also taught and had her work on display at the Staten Island Museum as well as displaying her work at the Norwegian Seaman’s Church in NYC. Lise recently received First place at the Sons of Norway Third District Convention representing the Eastern Seaboard and third place nationally in Vesterheim’s annual competition.

Lise is also a professional educator with a BA in Art History, and a MS in Special education. She was a GED Special Ed. High School teacher with the NYC Board of Education for many years until the time she and her husband began their family, which now includes three lovely children. They are happy to call Harford County Maryland their new home and Lise looks forward to sharing her art form with her new community.