Her name was, or it sounded like "Hi-Lite," or maybe it was the incredible hair coloring she had. Met her after a great roller-coaster ride in Sweden, she was a portrait sketch artist at the park. Drawing only in red pencil on brown paper (a shopping bag), were like none I'd ever seen before. A sexual joviality about her that was hard to resist.
Sure, I have been heckled for admitting to liking some of Abba's songs. So when a Abba reunion concert rumors were growing on the web I became curious. As a disinterested fan of theirs the buzz on the net was renewing my interest in their music. Its been said they are/were, "Sweden's greatest musical gift to the world." A once in a blue moon event was just a rumor, or not — a maybe happening? Reportedly at one of those out of the way places close to the seaport of Gothenburg.
I had never been to Sweden, liked all I'd read. Also, always admired the art of Anders Zorn, this is where a large chuck of his art is held in collections. I wanted to explore the whole Zorn Collection. All honoring Anders Zorn 1860 -1920, one of Sweden's best known international artists. Love his portraits, he had the ability to capture the character and personality of the depicted person. His nude studies are famous, as are his genre pictures which depict working people with his swift and elegant impressionistic technique.
It had been a few months since I had last flown the coop, so there was a twitch of an itch, beginning with the big toe going all the way to the little piggy, I had a feeling — them traveling shoes were dancing out the door towards another adventure. Was Abba having an impromptu one-time reunion concert? Whispers of an invitation only acoustical set were never confirmed or denied by the groups spokespeople.
I was headed over there just in case it was going to happen, a ticket for a ride on the big silver bird please.Unrolled in Gothenburg or Göteborg, after traveling by plane, then train to the hotel, a central point for all the cultural events and attractions. First and last on the list of to do while visiting t here, was to go to the Liseberg, a park in central Gothenburg, a beautiful amusement park, one of Sweden´s most popular attractions. I have a thing for roller-coasters, and they have a classic, an old school wooden roller-coaster, right here in town, the "Balder," favored by many international aficionados.
The park also has a variety of shows and performances, with plenty of restaurants and cafés to enjoy. This is where I first saw here. She had a set-up doing portrait sketches of the park visitors. Always a supporter of the local arts I sat for one of her creations.
It has been fun over the years to get these Art/Fair quick sketch portraits and review them in later years, comparing the styles and techniques of all the artists. A couple of interesting things with her, one was that she did these drawings in red pencil, two, her hair coloring was like none I've ever witnessed before, (said she did it herself). Of course she was easy to remember and paint when I was back in the studio, I couldn't recall her name, something that sounded like "Hi-Lites" -), ~ Juan Corbett ~.
Artwork / imagery © - copyrighted, no usage without express written permission. (click image to enlarge.)
You may be interested in this Original painting for yourself or a friend. The paintings of the "Faces from the Places" series are very collectable and range in price from $500.00 to $950.00. These prices are a 50% savings over a traditional Gallery acquisition. Shoot me an E-mail for availability at; juancorbett@gmail.com - In the subject line please include the name of the painting or the story line that you're interested in. I try to reply within 24 hours, Monday thru Friday, excluding holidays. Hope to hear from ya.
Thanks, ~ Juan.
