The Frelloist, 125x85cm, 2013-14,
Oil on MDF board,
LEAH MERETE ROBB, (1977)

Danish/Scottish Portrait artist Leah Merete Robb has enjoyed getting to know Otto and wife Stence during the past 5 years.
My initial awareness of Frello came via my uncle Finn Nesgaard, who handed me a documentary film about Otto he was involved in making back in 2000. In 2008 I visited the Frello family and discovered that Otto’s humour ran through his every conversation and therefore poured very effortlessly into his paintings. On this meeting I showed him portraits I was painting of people from Copenhagen’s alternative community, Christiania. He exclaimed, “but you can draw!” Our friendship and mutual respect led to my portrayal of one of the most humorous, imaginative and talented artists I’ve come across.
My portrait painting uses texture, illusion, printing and dribbling techniques, creating a visual tapestry of intrigue, like a detective story. I wish to draw to attention an artist I have been inspired by and who I believe deserves to be discovered by many more.