Åse discovered her passion for art 11 years ago, when she had a life-changing spiritual experience. She lost her mother around that time, and painting became her way of coping and healing. “I had never painted before, but I suddenly felt an urge to do so. I would paint for hours and hours at a time,” she says.

In the summer of 2020, she opened Gallery Waterloo in the heart of Trondheim. It was a risky move, given the Covid-19 pandemic, but it paid off. Her gallery offered a colourful escape from the gloomy reality of the virus. “Art and music are essential for our society. They stimulate our minds and enrich our lives,” she says.

She draws inspiration from the universe, creation, and the eternal. She also reflects on who we are, what we are, and what we can become. “I never know when inspiration will strike. It’s a very intuitive process for me,” she says. “Creating my pieces is an intense and unique experience. I feel deeply connected to them.”

Her paintings have a lot of emotional depth and tell a story. She relates to Vincent Van Gogh’s words: ‘I dream my paintings, and I paint my dream’. She did not consciously choose her style, but rather let it emerge naturally. “I started painting circles without thinking about it. It’s as if art chose me, not the other way around,” she says.

Creating is a therapeutic and powerful experience for Åse. “It’s wonderful to use art as therapy. It has so many benefits,” she says. “When I create, I lose myself in the moment. It’s hard to describe in words.”

Her art has touched and healed many people as well. She receives incredible feedback from her visitors, which she appreciates a lot. “Some people thank me for giving them a real, deep experience with my art,” she says. “One lady called me from the hospital after seeing my paintings. She said they healed her and wanted me to know how much they affected her. That’s very humbling and moving for me as an artist.”

Besides painting, Åse also makes exclusive scarves with her designs printed on them. They are made of high-quality wool/silk blend and are very popular. All of Husfliden’s shops in Trøndelag sell them.

Åse expresses her creativity in different ways. She writes poems, illustrates books, and even considers publishing her own book someday. “I don’t know what the future holds, but I believe that the path is created as you walk it,” she says. “I live in the present and follow my intuition.”