Studio Visit: Klas Ernflo

On this occasion we visited Klas Ernflo in his studio in Casavells, a small village in the Empordà region where the Swedish-born artist works. By coincidence, his studio is located in the very same village as our countryside gallery, The Palau de Casavells. Ernflo’s practice moves between painting and sculpture, with a particular sensitivity for everyday objects, shapes, and landscapes.

Alzueta Gallery (AG): Can you tell us a bit about your routine in the studio?

Klas Ernflo (KE): Yes, of course. My studio is here in Casavells, and I come every morning from the nearby village where I live. I treat it almost like office hours, since I spend a lot of time here, sometimes even six days a week. It has become a very natural routine for me.

AG: Where and how do you usually work when you’re here?

KE: It depends on the scale. When I make smaller works, I usually work flat on the table, almost like drawing on paper. I’ve worked a lot with ink, and it behaves best that way. For larger pieces, I need more space, so I either work on the floor or lean the canvases against a ladder.

AG: Can you describe your process?

KE:  My process usually starts with a drawing, just to get an idea or a sketch. Normally I draw from things in my everyday life, although sometimes I look at references from art I like, such as naïve or folk. Then I begin painting with ink. Those first marks are important because ink changes as it dries. After that, I build on the work with oils, adding depth and layers. Oils are different because they stay more or less the same once applied, unlike ink, which is more unpredictable. I usually work on several pieces at the same time, to see how they interact in terms of color, and also to manage drying times.

AG:  Besides painting, you also work with sculpture.

KE: Yes, I do. I usually work with clay and wood. For me, painting and sculpture belong to the same world. Even if my sculptures are perhaps more linked to organic shapes, like trees, mushrooms, or other natural forms, they are still very connected to my paintings.

AG: Color seems to play a central role in your practice. Can you tell us more about it?

KE: Absolutely. Color matters a lot to me. I often work with many layers to achieve the right palette. The layering process, whether with ink or oil, creates subtle shifts that are very important in the final result.

AG: I see a lot of small objects and models all over the studio. What role do they play in your practice?

KE: Over the years I’ve been collecting and buying models and miniatures: toys, architectural models… I started buying them simply because I liked them, and in the end, they became a source of inspiration for my paintings. That said, I don’t really consider myself a collector. I’m more interested in common, everyday objects that carry a sense of playfulness or simplicity.