About me
"Every painting I paint is another step towards releasing the paintings still living in my mind".
I was born and raised in Harstad, and today live in Tjeldsund municipality with my family. I am a visual artist who works with pencil, charcoal, dry pastel and oil paint. Creative expression has been a big part of my life since childhood, where music and drawing/painting have gone hand in hand.
"Creativity has always been and always will be the core of who I am, what drives me and how I meet the world".
Throughout childhood and adolescence, drawing was an all-consuming interest, and all the hours spent on this form the basis of my technique today. For a longer period, music took over and became the main focus until I resumed drawing and painting again around 2000. In 2002 I discovered dry pastel as a medium, and since then I have spent more and more time developing my technique and skills.
I find myself today in a landscape where I feel that my voice as an artist has taken on a clearer form. Nevertheless, I strongly feel that I am on an eternal journey, where new challenges and discoveries constantly appear - a strong driving force to drive myself forward. The certainty that art is without limitations and consists of an infinite number of undiscovered paths gives me motivation, inspiration and surplus. There is always a new door to open. I am only at the beginning - most of the paintings are not yet born.
I have a realistic expression, and the pictures clearly show that details fascinate me and give me joy in my work. In my work, the focus on contrast in light/shadow is clear, and different textures are a frequent theme.
A deeper emotional content is a goal for me, where composition, palette and theme are the main focus for me. It is an eternal journey, filled with joy, challenges, frustration and headaches - and I love every minute.
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Exhibitions
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2020 Lofoten Summer Exhibition, Sareptas hus Ballstadlandet
2017 Høstutstillingen 2017, ETS Kunstforening, Evenskjer
2014 Juleutstilling, Lofoten Kunstforening
2014 Juleutstilling, Ballstadlandet, Lofoten
2014 Høstutstillingen 2014, ETS Kunstforening, Tjeldsund
2013 Kunst i værret, Ballstad, Lofoten
2013 Separatutstilling på De fire roser, ved Palletten Kunst & Galleri, Harstad
2012 Høstutstillingen 2012, ETS Kunstforening, Tjeldsund
2012 Separatutstilling "Glimt", Ballstad, Lofoten
2012 Separatutstilling "Øyeblikk i farger", Evenskjerdagan, Evenskjer
2011 Juleutstilling Galleri Harstad, Harstad Kunstforening, Harstad
2011 Separatutstilling "Øyeblikk i farger", Galleri 2rom&kjøkken, Kræmmervika
2008 Separatutstilling på Jordbærpikene, Harstad
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Competitions
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2013 Honorable Mention in the 15th Pastel 100 competition with "Preparation", USA
2011 Honorable Mention in the Get Dusty Challenge with "Caught", Pastel Guild of Europe
2011 1st place in the Get Dusty Challenge with "Raw Breakfast", Pastel Guild of Europe
2010 3rd place in Still life i the Best of Wet Canvas competition with "Pears and steel", USA
Illustrations
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2023 Cover CD, Hugo Stokkan
2020 Logo Sandstrand skole
2018 "Ublidublien", barnebok av Ola Kane Jakobsen
2010 "Dans, dans meg tilbake" poesisamling av Greta Jakobsen, illustrert av Merethe Torbergsen
2007 Cover illustration "63 Tele'", Tele Visions, TDPRI, USA
Media mentions
2011 March, The Pastel Scribbler(PGE), "Meet Get Dusty winner Merethe Torbergsen of Norway"
2009 May, The Pastel Scribbler(PGE) "Meet the artist Merethe Torbergsen, Norway
2009 May, The Pastel Scribbler(PGE) Article, "Cherries in a bag - still life demo" by Merethe Torbergsen
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Societies
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2009 The Pastel Guild of Europe (PGE), served on the Board Developing Committee in 2009 and 2010
ETS Kunstforening
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