SVEDBERG STUDIO

Cannon Falls MN was the perfect playground in my youth (1952-1969.)  A quintessential Midwestern river town that provided a secure setting for fantasy to flourish.  We used to sneak out of slumber parties and dance on the downtown rooftops in our nightgowns!  And the town smiled tolerantly as I sat on the street corner selling baubles during my hippie stage.  Cannon Falls HS nurtured my talents in music, speech, drama and art and I'll be forever grateful to my teachers.

Michael "Lal" Lally of Red Wing MN was a gentle soul.  Drummer for Twin Cities rock band "The Shades,"  Lal refused to dodge the draft because it would have harmed his music future.  Little did he know he had no future.  Lal and I planned to marry upon his return from 'Nam, and his death was devastating.  It was only the loving support of family and friends that convinced me to carry on with life. 

There's another reason I'm grateful to Jay.  He introduced me to the miracles of dogs.  Pet-less while growing up, I never would have thought to invite a dog into my life.  Jay saw an ad in the paper for German Shepherd pups, and we brought Pojke home to our third-floor inner-city apartment the same day.  Pojke (Swedish for "little boy") inspired a love in me that I never knew could exist, and he lived a long and lucky life---including travel to lots of dog-delights, like Padre Island in this photo.  Pojke (1971-1984) will forever be in my heart.

Corvallis MT, in the Bitterroot Mountains south of Missoula, had a dirt main street (the only street!), a post office, general store, diner, bar and school.  I answered their call to create an art program for the High School and loved doing it.  But even the spectacular beauty that lured us there couldn't compensate for the feeling of being cut off from the rest of the world.  Luckily, we met a couple from Chicago who shared our interests and after a year the four of us headed back east to Minneapolis civilization.

I took a position teaching art in St. Francis MN, just north of Minneapolis.  Of the 30 years I taught, 25 were in ISD #15.  I don't know how I survived the daily commute from Minneapolis to St. Francis all those years!  The joy of teaching there was the opportunity to build a fantastic art program over those many years.  As the solitary art teacher in a studio far removed from the mainstream classrooms, my students and I created a haven for all who wanted to learn---regardless of their "reputations."  Many  misunderstood teens took refuge in the studio and became devoted artists. 

My own intellectual renaissance happened mid-career, when I joined the founding class of Hamline University's Graduate Liberal Studies program.  This unorthodox, seminar-based  program was ideal for those who love learning but hate compartmentalization.  My 1985  Master's Thesis was "The Essential Wolf: Symbol of the Human Condition."  Seeking still more stimulation, I returned to the U of M to complete a major in Philosophy, and took a bunch of grad-level studio arts classes.

The second of my cherished canine companions, Sirius (named after the wolf star) lit up my life from 1989-2002.  Siri was a wolf-hybrid: 1/2 shepherd, 1/4 arctic wolf and 1/4 timber wolf.  Those who caution against wolf-hybrids could not have meant Sirius, for he was a loyal and gentle spirit.  He was the inspiration for the many artworks I created with wolf themes.  Fortunately, when Jay and I divorced, Sirius remained with me.  I would have crumbled without him.

In 2003 my Svensk familj celebrated the 150th anniversary of our founding family's emigration from Sweden to the Chisago Lakes area of Minnesota (known as "Little Sweden.")  The Bloom Family descendents meet annually to celebrate their heritage.  My family is from the August Bloom branch.  Here we are in traditional Swedish garb:  sister Jane, mother Marge, sister Pam, me, brother John and sister Kris.  My beloved father, Harvey, died of Alzheimer's in 1992. 

Best friends since the 70s, the "JaJas" (Kay, Cath, Julie and me) have been through thick and thin together...and I'm not just talking body size!  Our travels and adventures have cemented our lifelong relationship as soul-sisters.  Here we are in beautiful northern Minnesota on a joyous getaway in 2003.

Pals since high school in the 60s, the "Terrible Trio" (Teri, Kristine and me) still stay in touch.  Although Teri and Kris live elsewhere, Minneapolis is home-base.  We get together as often as we can---here at a holiday bar bash in hometown Cannon Falls in 2004.