My story as an artist

My name is Marjan Dijkstra from Madlocalart. My studio is located close to the fjord, between the mountains, in the Norwegian region Sunnmøre. Worldwide known for the Jugenstil town of Ålesund and Unesco village Geiranger. My main inspiration is this surrounding landscape, its humans and my own backyard and permaculture garden. I am a graduate at Ytre Kunstfagskole Ålesund in 2023. My heart beats faster for printmaking techniques like woodcut, intaglio and especially mezzotint. Here is my Artist Bio / CV

My work explores the interplay between the circadian rhythms, the local landscape, biology, and the body’s internal rhythms. Rooted in the fjord region, my practice draws from everyday observations, ecological gardening, and natural light conditions that shape human physiology and emotional states. I work primarily with woodcut, linocut, and mezzotint, using traditional techniques to investigate how hormones like melatonin, oxytocin, and growth hormone are influenced by our surroundings. Through layering techniques, I create rich colors that mirror natural light, emphasizing the micro-macro contrast of nature.