week 48 & 49 of my painting project „One Year – One Island“
Mossberga-Vipetorp Nature Reserve
On a beautiful sunny autumn day in October, I drove along Route 136 to Halltorp, as this was roughly where I planned to paint my next picture. On my way, I considered whether I should paint the large yellow inn, Halltorps Gästgiveri – there was certainly much to tell about this place. As an alternative, I thought of the Kackelstugan restaurant, which I remembered as being particularly charming. But both places seemed rather dull when I arrived and looked for an interesting angle. The Kackelstugan was closed of course, and there was a security camera in the courtyard that I didn’t want to be on for the next few hours.
Hmm… I had thought that with these two ideas I was well prepared to quickly get to my brushes, but now I was out of ideas. But whatever! So I drove north again on a side road to find another subject and came across a small wooded area where the leaves glowed in various shades of green, as well as bright yellow, orange, and rusty red. So beautiful! Of course, this natural spectacle can be found all over the world and it is therefore not at all unique to Öland. But the vibrant autumn colors of Öland are also part of its charm, and for me, they’re among the most beautiful weeks of the changing seasons here. Definitely a great subject! I decided to paint against the sun, which was low in the sky and cast its rays through the trees. I took many photos to see how the sun exactly looked like, as it’s difficult to look directly into the rays and make out details. The sketch was quickly done – just a curve and a moss-covered stonewall on the left, which gave the picture perspective; otherwise, just trees, which I only had to suggest. A little further on, there was an information sign and a wooden bridge leading into the Mossberga-Vipetorp Nature Reserve.
It was a glorious day, with only two cars passing by to disturb the peace. And it really was quiet: hardly any birdsong, which I found strange. But perhaps the more vocal species had already migrated south? Only a blackbird rustled in the bushes, searching for beetles among the dry leaves.
Of course, my painting can’t compete with the real spectacle of nature, but I’m still pleased with my watercolor. I would love to show one of the photos I took there, but I must have accidentally deleted it later when transferring it to my computer, because I can’t find it (which I’m incredibly annoyed about). But actually, it doesn’t matter where exactly the photo was taken – because autumn paints nature in the most beautiful colors all over Öland!
Stora Rör
The following week was also blessed with brilliant sunshine, and my destination was Stora Rör. Or at least, that’s the direction I intended to turn off Route 136, as I wasn’t very familiar with the area and it seemed like a good opportunity to explore. The road led through a newer holiday home development and ended at the harbor, where I parked and looked around. The mainland appeared very close on the other side of the water, and I later read that this is indeed the shortest route across the Kalmarsund between the mainland and Öland. For this reason, mail was transported by water here. For several hundred years, the longer sea route from Kalmar to Björnhovda (now Färjestaden) had been used, but from spring 1963 onwards, mail boats operated between Revsudden and Stora Rör. The following nine years were the golden years of this small town, which declined in importance after the construction of the Öland Bridge in 1972. But today the approximately 150 all-year-residents are very active and have founded several non-profit associations, one of which is “Total Försvar Öland”. This association focuses on the military defense of Öland and aims to raise awareness about it. Therefore, a large military show is organized annually during the Skördefest, attracting around 8,000 spectators each year. Warships and armored vehicles are on display, along with thunderous aircraft shows, several parachutists coming down over the harbor, and concerts by the Hemvärnets musikkår (Homeland Defense Band). The rest of the year, things are much quieter here. Under the name ”Mormors”, there is a guesthouse, a restaurant, a bistro, and a café with its own bakery and adjoining bread shop. While the first three are only open during the tourist season, Café Mormor and the bread shop are open all year long. This is quite unusual outside of the larger towns on Öland! So when I parked my car here at the end of October to have a look around, I hadn’t expected the café to be open.
What a nice surprise – and in the middle of the week, no less! The café was actually quite busy, its sun-drenched terrace offering a view across the Kalmarsund. Delighted by this opportunity, I decided that this place was definitely a motive and – as I imagine – holds a special place in the hearts of many inhabitants. We really don’t have many “fika” opportunities here in the time between Skördefest and Easter, and a café that is open all year round can quickly become a favorite spot. I grabbed my painting bag, set up my equipment, and bought myself a pot of chaitea and a delicious cheesecake before I even started sketching. What a lovely surprise, and what a pretty place! Hooray for Café Mormor!
There are only 3 more paintings left and I will post them within a week now. There is busstop, a golf course and a zoo coming… Hope you will enjoy the reading!
