About ULLA Plougmand
Biography
Award winning Danish-born painter ULLA says, “All my canvasses are painted with passion and love, straight from the heart. Even though I am heavily inspired by the post- impressionists I would describe my own style as a curious mixture encompassing figurative, naive, abstract, as well as modern Impressionism, in short, I cannot be ‘pigeon-holed’ as I do not fit into any established movement:
My paintings simply evolve together with my life."
I was born, I joke, 'with a paintbrush in my hand'. And having lived a colourful life, I have been fortunate enough to be able to paint professionally for more than 20 years - and hope sincerely that I will do so till I, as I put it, 'fall out of my little red Danish clogs', inshallah! Every day is a new adventure.
I was born and grew up in Denmark surrounded by nature, deep forests, large fields, and the wild North Sea not far away, all undoubtedly contributing to my inspiration as a painter. Having a father who was a country doctor and a mother a psychologist, my upbringing was liberal and caring.
Once grown up, I left Denmark to experience the big wide world, and from then on my path in life became multifaceted!
I travelled the world widely, absorbing colourful impressions of people, scenery, and culture, always sketching, snapping photos - to put in my memory bank ... I would start painting when back in my tiny London studio.
I have now been painting professionally for almost three decades. My ‘trademark’ is the use of extremely vibrant colours in oil or acrylics, formed by dynamic images, overlaid with subtle shading in complementary and often contrasting tones.
My prolific and eclectic work over the years is now divided up into roughly four main categories: Female Forms (nudes), Dreamscapes, Funky Flowers and My Playful Cosmos.
I have Faith ... Years ago I said, "I have Faith. I believe in the good in human nature and prefer to focus on this aspect - negative - is not my nature. It is an ongoing challenge! Without love the world would be a lost planet."
Today I will add, I still have Faith - only now the world seems more broken and at times with a different set of values which to me is sad. However, this sadness will not be reflected in my work as I indulge in timelessness - and a little bit of magic!
Give me beauty, freedom, peace, and love - and, always, hope. That is happiness to me.
Award winning Danish-born painter ULLA says, “All my canvasses are painted with passion and love, straight from the heart. Even though I am heavily inspired by the post- impressionists I would describe my own style as a curious mixture encompassing figurative, naive, abstract, as well as modern Impressionism, in short, I cannot be ‘pigeon-holed’ as I do not fit into any established movement:
My paintings simply evolve together with my life."
I was born, I joke, 'with a paintbrush in my hand'. And having lived a colourful life, I have been fortunate enough to be able to paint professionally for more than 20 years - and hope sincerely that I will do so till I, as I put it, 'fall out of my little red Danish clogs', inshallah! Every day is a new adventure.
I was born and grew up in Denmark surrounded by nature, deep forests, large fields, and the wild North Sea not far away, all undoubtedly contributing to my inspiration as a painter. Having a father who was a country doctor and a mother a psychologist, my upbringing was liberal and caring.
Once grown up, I left Denmark to experience the big wide world, and from then on my path in life became multifaceted!
I travelled the world widely, absorbing colourful impressions of people, scenery, and culture, always sketching, snapping photos - to put in my memory bank ... I would start painting when back in my tiny London studio.
I have now been painting professionally for almost three decades. My ‘trademark’ is the use of extremely vibrant colours in oil or acrylics, formed by dynamic images, overlaid with subtle shading in complementary and often contrasting tones.
My prolific and eclectic work over the years is now divided up into roughly four main categories: Female Forms (nudes), Dreamscapes, Funky Flowers and My Playful Cosmos.
I have Faith ... Years ago I said, "I have Faith. I believe in the good in human nature and prefer to focus on this aspect - negative - is not my nature. It is an ongoing challenge! Without love the world would be a lost planet."
Today I will add, I still have Faith - only now the world seems more broken and at times with a different set of values which to me is sad. However, this sadness will not be reflected in my work as I indulge in timelessness - and a little bit of magic!
Give me beauty, freedom, peace, and love - and, always, hope. That is happiness to me.
And the critics say:
“A love of colour is the overwhelming first impression of ULLA’s work, and she harnesses this love of colour to celebrate many aspects of the female nude.
Sometimes the figure is integrated into the landscape, almost becoming one with it; at other times it floats as if dreaming in space.
Flowers are also important to ULLA, and her beautiful paintings of fields of exotic blooms put one in mind of ‘mille fiori’ tapestries.
It is significant that she gives them the generic title ‘Self-Portrait’, at once declaring herself and remaining secret.”
Mary Rose Beaumont
London. 2003
“ULLA Plougmand’s lusciously layered compositions visually reflect one’s imagination experiencing the far expanses of outer space. Thick layers of primary hues - ranging from sapphire blues to fiery reds, sun-kissed oranges and lemony yellows - swirl and circumnavigate to create undulating cyclonic forms that whirl about her canvasses, mimicking the act of cosmic creation symbolized through her expressive intergalactic titles. Exceeding human limitations by expressing the underlying celestial cycles of the universe.
ULLA’s “My Cosmos” series elicits the awe-inspiring powers of our expansive universe.”
New York. 2013-14
What collectors say:
"Scandinavian Sunrise is breathtaking - ULLA at her very finest. Bursting with colour and painted so obviously with love and passion, it is impossible to take your eyes away from it. It conjures up the magic of first light in a most beautiful part of the world. It is a remarkable painting - like all her work - tenderly reflective, insightful, overflowing with optimism, energy and sheer love of life. No proper collection can be complete without one."
Lord Black of Brentwood
Deputy Chairman, Telegraph Media Group
"My husband and I bought one of ULLA's paintings more than 10 years ago, Nordic Moon. The colours are yellow and purple. We have always loved this painting and for all these years it has had its own place in our house, right next to our dinner table so that we can look at it every time we enjoy a nice meal. This also allows us to think of ULLA and send her our love."
Lise, Copenhagen
“ULLA’s paintings are a volcano of colour and they brighten life while you are in their vicinity!”
The Marquess of Bath
Longleat House
“A love of colour is the overwhelming first impression of ULLA’s work, and she harnesses this love of colour to celebrate many aspects of the female nude.
Sometimes the figure is integrated into the landscape, almost becoming one with it; at other times it floats as if dreaming in space.
Flowers are also important to ULLA, and her beautiful paintings of fields of exotic blooms put one in mind of ‘mille fiori’ tapestries.
It is significant that she gives them the generic title ‘Self-Portrait’, at once declaring herself and remaining secret.”
Mary Rose Beaumont
London. 2003
“ULLA Plougmand’s lusciously layered compositions visually reflect one’s imagination experiencing the far expanses of outer space. Thick layers of primary hues - ranging from sapphire blues to fiery reds, sun-kissed oranges and lemony yellows - swirl and circumnavigate to create undulating cyclonic forms that whirl about her canvasses, mimicking the act of cosmic creation symbolized through her expressive intergalactic titles. Exceeding human limitations by expressing the underlying celestial cycles of the universe.
ULLA’s “My Cosmos” series elicits the awe-inspiring powers of our expansive universe.”
New York. 2013-14
What collectors say:
"Scandinavian Sunrise is breathtaking - ULLA at her very finest. Bursting with colour and painted so obviously with love and passion, it is impossible to take your eyes away from it. It conjures up the magic of first light in a most beautiful part of the world. It is a remarkable painting - like all her work - tenderly reflective, insightful, overflowing with optimism, energy and sheer love of life. No proper collection can be complete without one."
Lord Black of Brentwood
Deputy Chairman, Telegraph Media Group
"My husband and I bought one of ULLA's paintings more than 10 years ago, Nordic Moon. The colours are yellow and purple. We have always loved this painting and for all these years it has had its own place in our house, right next to our dinner table so that we can look at it every time we enjoy a nice meal. This also allows us to think of ULLA and send her our love."
Lise, Copenhagen
“ULLA’s paintings are a volcano of colour and they brighten life while you are in their vicinity!”
The Marquess of Bath
Longleat House
Photo by Jerry Mason
