Short facts...


Name: Gunborg Eleonora Bäckström

Age: 15 in mind but 84 in reality

Born: 20 Januari 1921 on the island of Vaxholm in the Stockholms archipelago

Children: 1 (proud mother to daughter Margareta, 53)

Grandchildren: 2 (proud nan to Johan, 19 och Jenny 26)

Lives: Farsta, Stockholm

That art has been a constant and faithful
companion and burning passion in
Gunborgs life cannot be denied...

She has been painting since she was a little girl and the
brush has always been close at hand. A creative passion
as well as perhaps a kind of therapy sometimes, art has
meant a lot to Gunborg through the years.

That she now, after all these years of creativity, is able
to bring her art into the 21st century by displaying and
showcasing her paintings on the Internet is a big event
for Gunborg who's previously only showcased her art
through small exhibitions and only very few times in her
life. Her art really does deserve attention and this website
is dedicated to her paintings...old and new.


So, how did it all begin, this interest for art and creativity?...

How was your up-bringing? Did you grow up in a creative family? Are any of your siblings also creative?

-"I grew up on the picturesque island of Vaxholm in the Stockholm archipelago together with my 3 siblings. I moved to Stockholm when I was seven. My father owned his own bakery in the south of Stockholm. I have since I was little been drawing and painting and I've always been fascinated and interested in art and creativity. I am self-tought from the beginning.

"-My childhood was bright and happy. My middle sister has always been very artistic, so the two of us would always fight over the only easel we had. She still paints as well.

-"I had a little break from art when I got married and had my daughter, Margareta, but I slowy started to pick it up again and the past 25 years I've been painting almost daily. I have taken classes and have travelled all over Sweden on painting trips and courses".

Have you held aby exhibitions for your art? Have you sold any paintings?

-"I have never held any big exhibitions as such, only a few small showcases in Fuerteventure and in Hälleforsnäs where my summer house is, but I am aiming to arrange a few more exhibitions now and showcase my work on the Internet to a bigger audience. So far I've mostly sold paintings to family and friends, but I am hoping to sell more now that, after all these years, I have finally decided to go for it and showcase my paintings more.

"-Once, when I was about to sell my flat it became a bit of an exhibition and I sold a lot of paintings".

What inspires you?

-"I find inspiration in nature and beautiful things, but also from music. When Spring comes I am always restless and very keen to get started. I paint what I see...sometimes I paint from my imagination".

Artists often have several different creative sides, has music also played an important role in your life? Do you get inspired by a certain style of music? If so, what type of music? Do you listen to music while you're painting?

"-I love all kinds of music, but mostly Classical. I always have music playing in the background. I put on slow music when I paint".

Some artists often use their creativity to express themselves and get a message out there, would you say that your paintings have a hidden message and is painting a way for you to express your feelings?

"-Sometimes you feel like the painting is speaking to you. Then I easily dissappear into the clouds. It's a wonderful feeling and a nice experience".

Do you have a favourite artist that has inspired you? If so, why that particular artist?

"-I like artists that express feelings through their art. One of them is Edward Munch, who had an amazing colour sense. He always succeeded to get his feelings to come through when he created his paintings. Another of my favourites is Van Gogh. He really put his soul into every piece of art that he created. I am also very fond of all the impressionists".

Do you have a favourite painting that you have made? Are there any paintings of yours that you would never sell, perhaps because of their sentimental and personal value?

"-I made a painting of my grandchildren when they were sitting on the stairs outside my Summer house. That is very precious and valuable to me".

Have you taken any art classes? How did you find them and do you think they have improved your technique?

"-I often take classes where I can get critisism. It's important as you often don't see the mistakes and faults yourself. You learn a lot through having someone analyse your technique and work. Apart from those kind of courses I usually prefer to paint on my own".

"-I want to paint for as long as I live! It's my passion and it's what makes me happy".