Maple Grove Senior Wins State Fair Acclaim for Folk Painting

Painter Bob Munson has honed his skill of rosemaling for years.

He enjoys this kind of folk art painting and considers it his way of preserving history. Maple Grove Patch interviewed the painter to learn more about the passion that has earned him recognition at the Minnesota State Fair.

Maple Grove Patch: What is rosemaling and how did you get started in it?

Bob Munson: Rosemaling is a folk art type of painting that is usually done on wooded pieces. It originated in Norway and dates back to the 1700s. I got started years ago. When my son was three years old I wanted to make him a toy box with rosemaling, and I’ve been doing it ever since.

Maple Grove Patch: How did your two pieces of rosemaling do at the state fair?

Bob Munson: I won a blue ribbon for my 18-inch tray painted in Telemark rosemaling, and I won a red ribbon for my 10-inch tray that has dala horses around it.

When went to the fair to see how I did, my wife and I looked all over for my pieces. As you know there are hundreds and hundreds of things inside the buildings and just as we were about to give up and leave there they were. I was so excited to see the ribbons - it was very gratifying.

Maple Grove Patch: Why is rosemaling so important to you?

Bob Munson: It’s an important part of history. So many of us have Norweigian roots and I wanted to preserve a little piece of history by learning the craft.

Maple Grove Patch: Do you ever sell your work?

Bob Munson: No, I don’t sell any of pieces. I paint a lot and I keep some and give a lot away to family and friends. I do pieces for charity events but it's not something I’m looking to make money off.

Maple Grove Patch: What are you working on now?

Bob Munson: I have a 7 -foot tall corner cabinet. The cabinet came from the Norweigian Historical Museum in Iowa, but I had a craftsman create a stand for it so it would sit in the corner instead of hang on the wall.