Coffee and music

Two things, apart from a place to work, paint and paper, are vital for Anna when making art.

One is music – streaming in her headphones, top list music, old goodies from her youth, rap sometimes, folk music and rock’n roll. No genre is excluded as long as the songs are good. The BeeGee’s  Staying alive is a perfect tune for rhythmic dotting, for example. Britney makes her heart pound a little extra and Avici’s pophouse takes her through tough parts or when she has come to a standstill. Swedish Amanda Jenssen and Laleh open up her mind for creativity.

The other necessity for Anna’s artmaking is coffee, with milk, in a favorite cup. Unless your’re already aware, here’s what you need to know about Swedish coffee culture: You arrive at your Swedish friend’s house. Before even saying hello, your friend asks: Would you like coffee? If you want coffee you just say: Yes please. If you just had some, you say: Not unless you’re having some yourself (your friend will heat water right away and start brewing). If you don’t want coffee, you say: sure, but only half a cup. You never say no to coffee, you might as well say: I don’t like you or your ugly looking home. Coffee means love in Swedish.