Inspired by the intimacy of everyday life, Danish artist Nina Flagstad Kvorning’s work depicts small objects in voluminous colours that give the motifs depth and texture.

“My creative process almost always begins with the material I am working with and one specific colour,” Nina tells. She mostly works with oil and soft pastels on paper or cardboard. From there, Nina sketches the motif in pencil until it is time to add her characteristic use of colours. “I begin with that one colour that inspired the work in the first place, and slowly add in the other shades until I am satisfied.”

In general, the use of colour is a central part of Nina’s artworks. Not only because of the moods they bring but also the sensory quality. The pastels’ texture enhances and complements certain feelings and memories tied to the motifs she presents.
“It might seem dull, but there resides a lot of knowledge in the routines of our lives. I want to portray and preserve moments from our everyday life.”

Nina grew up in the city of Århus in Jutland but has since 2011 been living in Copenhagen. She makes a point of exploring the city, visiting museums and art galleries, book stores, and meeting friends for spontaneous drinks on a Friday night.
“Recently, I saw an exhibition with the Danish artist Jesper Christiansen. I find the way he uses patterns and a huge sense of detail in his work really beautiful,” Nina says. “And then there is the work of sculptor Sonja Ferlov Mancoba. It just makes me so happy, every time I pass by her sculpture at one of the lakes in central Copenhagen.”

Nina works out of her apartment. She has moved her worktable beneath two great windows, so she can follow the murmurs of the city while she paints. And sometimes working from home means that Nina’s artwork is scattered throughout the apartment. “I dream about having a larger atelier somewhere in Copenhagen. It would mean that I can explore larger formats than what I currently do.”