Inspired by Alby 1 Original ink on acid free paper Year: 2001 Size: A3 Owned by: Personal collection Alby is a local place by the ocean, where locals from Moss (where I live), often come to stroll and to enjoy the beautiful scenery. I came there during a time of extreme cold and severe crisis in 2001. Completely desperate, I began to draw sitting on a bench, soon immersed in what I was doing. I remember an older man walking up to me, asking if I was ok, saying I shouldn't sit in the cold so poorly clothed. But I just nodded at him and he left. When the drawing was finished, I was so cold I could barely walk back to the car and my fingers were frozen solid. It was like I hadn't felt how cold I was while drawing, but as I was done, I could barely breathe. It is an odd memory; in one way very sad, but also inspiring as it shows the power of art and my love for that place. I have made several versions of this motif over the years, and is ever inspired by the place in several of my oil paintings.

My nailed to the wall picture and strange lookin' bed. Drawn in my hospital room 2001. Back then drawing was a way to stay alive, not any kind of artistic ambition of a future career. It was as Frida Kahlo said it, "I simply painted my reality," and it's still that way.