“Joy is often regarded as something kitsch in art—which many think should traditionally be about sadness and darkness. But I believe that joy is a sensation that should be celebrated.”

Rino Larsen grew up in what he describes as an ordinary working class family in Fetsund, Lillestrøm. From an early age, he found great joy in drawing and discovered that different colours carried different psychological properties—a realisation that would stay with him throughout his career.

After completing his formal education in marketing and illustration/design at Norges Kreative Fagskole (NKF), Rino began his career as an illustrator in 1993. At the time, he worked for Forsvarets Forum, the Norwegian army magazine, and also gave lectures at NKF. This is when he started experimenting with technology such as copy machines to create art—an experience that remains traceable in his art today.

Fast forward to 2008, Rino held his first solo exhibition with twenty-four paintings, all of which sold. “Selling out at my first solo show was a real rush and made me realise that perhaps people actually like my art,” he laughs.

Since then, Rino has held numerous solo exhibitions and also taken part in collective exhibitions all over Norway. He believes that everyone can relate to something in his paintings. “Visuality represents an entirely separate language to me, and I find it fascinating when others experience something completely different from me when looking at my paintings,” Rino tells Localfolk.

Rino never lacks inspiration, and his paintings are often a reflection of events in his own life. “I suffered through a serious illness in 2018 and found that this experience really influenced my paintings,” he says. Rino explains how he looked at colours with a fresh perspective and remembered how different shades can evoke different emotions.

Lately, his thoughts have taken him back to his childhood in the late 1960s, specifically to the moon landing and hippie movement. This has resulted in a series of paintings titled ‘Hippie Astronaut’—a celebration of joy, love and wonder. “Looking up at the moon and realising there were humans up there, together with experiencing the love and joy of ‘flower power’, was absolutely incredible.”

When asked to speak about his creative process, Rino says he works on several sketches and drafts before moving onto the actual piece. Staying true to his technological background, he uses a ReMarkable sketchpad which allows him to edit drafts and add layers as new ideas emerge. He explains that he doesn’t accept commissions that don’t align with his current style and inspiration, as this would result in a product that neither him nor the customer would appreciate. For Rino, the key message in his work is that joy is the most beautiful and desirable feeling there is.

One of Rino’s favourite experiences to date was his exhibition at Soli Brug Galleri, a sawmill-turned-gallery that draws up to 20,000 visitors from all over the country for a single exhibition. Rino is currently in the process of creating an exhibition at Hadeland Glassverk, a charming glassworks village that features the work of many well-known artists. He looks forward to getting this exhibition up and running—and to continue spreading joy through his paintings.