#02 Sif Rude: "Slowness" is the opportunity and ability to immerse oneself deeply.

I had the pleasure to interview Sif Rude, a Danish woman visual artist, about how she sees and integrates the concept of slowness into her beautiful paintings and visual creations. Our conversation took place in Danish at her studio in Aarhus, Denmark.

I photo-documented Sif's creative process and her deepening into slowness.

Thank you Sif, for your trust, your words and your inspirational paintings. Your work resonates deeply within me.

Dear Sif, would you please tell us a bit about yourself and your art.

Thank you. I am happy and proud to invite you all into my thoughts. I am an oil painter, and I make a living from my art. These two aspects define me well, as they are two significant and unique choices that have paved my path in life.

At its core, I paint large, organic works in oil and ink. They often cover half a wall, embracing the viewer. I use subdued, muted, and natural colors. My works alternate between very bright and very dark depictions.

When I paint, I always disappear into a mental space. A good piece requires undivided concentration. But where the act of painting has made the most sense to me is when I have an audience for that space.

I also paint because I love the material. Oil painting has a delightful, classical, and somewhat dusty history, involving stories of power, access, and beauty. I believe it is important to contribute to defining that beauty.

What does slowness mean to you, and what is your slow way?

Slowness is to me the opportunity and ability to immerse oneself deeply. I believe it is a skill that can be lost if not cherished. It is the ability to engage in an activity that does not immediately have a purpose or a specific end goal but is meaningful in itself.

It may be important to practice and create space for it because I have observed that the world tends to accelerate quickly. Therefore, slowness is a deliberate choice. It rarely happens on its own.

I immediately think of nature. I grew up five kilometres into a private and very remote forest. It is one of the few places in Denmark where it can be completely silent. Just to walk. Listen. See a dragonfly and smell the sun-warmed earth.

How do you express slowness in your art?

My oil paintings often take up to a year to dry. The medium itself entails a slowness that is both impractical and delightful. It provides room for techniques and thoughts, and the oil dries with an exquisite depth and gloss.

My subjects and my choice of colors also revolve around depth. My greatest wish is to portray this depth to my viewers.

How do you use slowness as a source of inspiration?

Slowness is a deliberate choice, and I apply that conviction every day. I have intentionally bought a coffee pot that is incredibly slow. As I pour the boiling water over my beans, my thoughts often wander, boringly far away in a rather pleasant way.

Art has also become a part of my life from a desire for slowness and depth, both for myself and others. The process of painting is incredibly intense and deep, and it is like a brain cleanse.

The experience of taking a walk, traveling, or life itself is about stopping and dwelling on the unexpected. It is the beginning of everything new and often good.

What does slowness teach you?

Slowness, first and foremost, teaches me something as a concept. It highlights the existence of a phenomenon and a focus.

We must not forget our bodies, as it is through them that we experience the world. Our bodies are anchored in a physical reality, and that is something we often overlook.

Thank you, Sif Rude.

All photos are copyrighted by A Slow Way Photography.