Norse Snowboards - Thor

Instead of writing a new text about this work, let me cite from the product description on norseboards.com that has a lot of my own quote:

About the art:
Selecting an artist to create the first snowboard graphic for a Norse Snowboard was quite a challenge. Ancient Norse and Germanic art has nearly been forgotten in the span of the last couple thousand years. We were able to find an artist that specializes specifically in the ancient traditional art of Northern Europe. Our goal at Norse is to revitalize an ancient spirit in ourselves, and one of the most beautiful parts of that spirit is the cultural significance of the art.

 Our artist works with us internationally from Sweden, Freki Wodenswolf Jungnickel. brunnsberga.com Having an expert in Norse art centered in the heart of the Scandinavian homeland is something we are very proud of. Freki puts his heart into every piece that he works on, having deep connection to his art “almost all of my works are single items, customized and personal. I like the individual touch of that approach but at times it feels like there has to be something more.” –Freki

 What is the deeper significance of the art in our snowboard? From the artist:

 “Tradition; It's about the spiritual and cultural tradition of ancient Europe and its artistic correspondence. But it's not like a romantic look into the rear-view mirror, it's the strong belief that we can only benefit from the revival of our past values, to gain strength, pride and a sense of identity that seems lost in our days.”

 “That's what I liked about Norse Snowboarding right from the start - the approach of bringing Norse/Germanic tradition into a scene that is otherwise dominated by very modern styles. Thor's Hammer is the perfect theme for the first Norse Snowboard, a symbol for the vital power of the Germanic spirit.”

 “The design of the Thor Board combines authentic Norse style with a modern design. That's why there are two hammers, one pointing backward into the past, one forward into the future. Like the hammer cracks the sky, this board strikes the top of a snowcapped mountain and the old gods return from oblivion - take a ride with them, take a ride with the Thor Board!” -Freki Wodenswolf Jungnickel

www.brunnsberga.com

Vargdricka - Logo and Label for Scandinavian Farmhouse Ale

Vargdricka - Label

This work was inspired by Lorenz Frølich's "Odin and Fenrir"

This project was a special fun - designing a label and a logo for a scandinavian farmhouse ale.
Let's have a look at the company's own the description of this drink:
"a recreation of the daily drink of the vikings brewed with smoked malt, wheat, rye, and honey upon berry laden juniper branches and bittered with bog myrtle"

Check them out at: http://brauereibecker.us

The Delusion of the Necromancer - Nekro Norse Part I

Nekro Norse - a first perspective on the more sombre and obscure upcoming artworks of Freki Wodenswolf Jungnickel

 As an artist you have different sources of inspiration, shifting and changing with time, but also constant elements that stand as the pillars of your creations. And while these pillars stand strong and unbroken, they might still be hidden, in disguise and thus invisible for most.

In practice this can have several reasons: lost focus, experiments and so on.

But more important for most artists who have to make a living from their art is the diktat and pressure of commercial considerations.

Actually I am a lucky guy, since alomst everything I create is in harmony with my iron creed and vision. I am able to bring out my message to the masses and most sources of inspiration get their appropriate run. But still, there's something missing.

While I am able to incorporate most of the impact that nature, wildlife, ancient european culture and pagan heritage have on my artistic vision, there's another aspect that is still hidden in the shadowside of my creations.

The things that lie beyond the obvious, under the surface, the obscure, the morbid, the „evil“ forces... It's time to invoke some of these esoteric spirits!

I was spending some time thinking about how to give room to these darker elements without loosing my distinct manner of expression. My vision soon cleared – I wanted to create something that would melt my rather authentic norse ornamental style with the aesthetics and contents of old-school Death and Black and Viking Metal (when I speak of the latter, I speak of old Enslaved, Helheim or Einherjer – not the feeble shit that is labeled as Viking Metal today...)

since this musical genre(s) were extremely influential to me in an artistic and personal way.

The name Nekro Norse was born as an umbrella term to describe this new style.

While „Nekro“ describes the dark and sinister approach of the artworks, the framework and execution will be in a similar „Norse“ style that I am known for.

Nekro Norse is a concept that allows me to dive into the occult and sombre realms of art, still with a strong connection to my roots in germanic/norse culture and old school Metal. I am sure it won't appeal to all my fans out there, but it isn't intended to do so. This is a celebration of my artistic freedom without any bonds or restrictions but my own (bad) taste.

But I am also sure that some of you who have a similar background and interest in Death/Black Metal as well as northern european culture will gladly join me on my excursion to the realms of the dead.

The pictures presented in that post are excerpts from the first full artwork called „The Delusion of the Necromancer“ that will be published on my websites very soon!

/Freki W