An artist, by definition is someone who loves creating for the sake of creating. They share passion in a way that’s accessible to others and notice things other’s miss. Rikke is just that. I met her on my first day in Copenhagen nearly 4 years ago (which is incredibly hard to believe). At that time, she was living in the same Kollegium as Scott and she took us out for our first night abroad and became one of our closest Danish friends. She is an artist, painter, and all-around joyful, free spirit.A day in the life of Artist: Rikke Lydeking. She was well known on the floor of the Kollegium for painting any wall surface she could. From the hallways to the common kitchen, anywhere on floor 8 you would see Rikke’s mark.She dreamed of one day coming to NY to paint, and as we traveled back home at the end of our semester, she too was planning her NYC adventure. After living in Brooklyn for a while, creating undoubtedly amazing pieces of artwork, she moved back to Copenhagen and started painting murals in local cafes and bars. We visited her in Copenhagen this year and I begged her to let me photograph her working on the painting. She HATES pictures, so when she agreed I was thrilled. I had this in my head for so long and I’m so happy we got to make it happen while I was there.

This is a painting of Norrebro history, a neighborhood in Copenhagen where this bar calls home. Each person in the painting represents a historical moment for the neighborhood. It starts out displaying the rhubarb farms, then moves to it’s endurance during the socialist movement.  In the 1940’s the Nazis came and the Danish Resistance began on Norrebrogade.  In the 1970s police squashed many protests and in the 1980’s, tunnels were created underground for squatters to run from the police. Since then, a number of historical moments have transpired in it’s streets, but it proudly has become one of the most multicultural neighborhoods of Copenhagen.

This is what loving what you do looks like. Permanent painted fingernails.For someone who doesn’t like pictures this one is awfully great!

Rikke portrayed this history so well, and what I love about her work is that it tells a story, just like photography, and leaves a legacy behind.  It’s a legacy of not only her passion and her art, but of a city, a neighborhood, and a home to thousands. I’m so happy to know and have such a talented friend. Until we meet again, Rikke!

Give her a like over on her Facebook here!

I love doing lifestyle, brand storytelling shoots of creatives doing what they’re passionate about, and documenting what their legacy is. If you, or anyone you know is a creative with a story to be told, shoot me an email! I’d love to hear from you!