Every one of my paintings starts somewhere in reality. Some places are more personal than others. The ballerina motifs carry a story that is perhaps one of the oldest in the world — the story of first love. For me, she was a dancer. When our relationship ended, I started painting for the first time shortly after. It wasn’t long before the first ballerina came to life, and more followed over time. Although I rarely paint the same story twice, the ballerina has become an exception. As the years passed, I never quite managed to let go of my love for the dancer who started it all. After five years without contact, the longing became too great, and I reached out to her again. The story of the ballerinas has a happy ending. The first great love became the last great love — we are now engaged and have just welcomed our child into the world.

The journey from idea to canvas is often long and winding. It’s not unusual for an unfinished painting to be stared at for days before inspiration strikes and the next step reveals itself. This means that only a small number of paintings are produced each year — but it also means that every work carries real purpose and intention.

I have been painting for nearly 10 years and am a self-taught Danish artist. My originals are created in acrylic on canvas, and my motifs are made for homes with a sense of magic carrying stories from when we were children and the world was vast and new.

My name is Morten Primdahl and I live in Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, where I have been based for the past 8 years. I’m not alone in the small room I’ve converted into a studio, where I spend most of my evenings. My faithful companion Balder — the handsome fluffy fellow below — is always by my side. If I’m lucky, my fiancée joins us too, usually armed with her knitting.

If you fall a little in love with one of my paintings, or find yourself with a blank wall that needs filling, I’m here to help. You can always reach me at [email protected] and I’ll do my best to get back to you the same day.