My first stop on this new nomadic chapter was Austin’s Pease Park, where I finally met Malin’s Fountain, one of the magical trolls created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. For months I had longed to see one of his towering wooden sculptures, and stepping into that shaded grove felt like walking into a dream.
The path wound gently under live oaks, leading me closer until suddenly she appeared—vast, whimsical, and powerful, yet tender in her presence. Malin seemed to rise from the earth itself, sitting gracefully among the roots, her hands cradling a bowl to collect rainwater, a gesture both simple and profound.
Thomas Dambo’s trolls are made entirely from reclaimed wood and other recycled materials, and each one is part of a larger vision: to bring play, wonder, and environmental awareness into the world. His sculptures are tucked away in parks, forests, and unexpected corners of cities, inviting exploration, discovery, and a playful reconnection with nature. Knowing this, I felt a quiet thrill, as if I had stumbled upon a hidden treasure meant just for me.
There was something ancient and childlike about Malin at once. She rested with a sense of calm strength, yet there was curiosity in her posture, as if she too was exploring the world around her. Her hopeful gaze seemed to invite me to pause, breathe, and remember that wonder is always close at hand.
I lingered there, letting the quiet of the park and the artistry of her form settle into me. Art has always been a language I return to—sometimes loud, sometimes soft, but always guiding me toward reflection. Malin’s Fountain spoke in that way, reminding me that creation can be both playful and deeply rooted.
As I sat there, I thought of my children and grandchildren—each one a joy I deeply treasure. Malin, with her calm strength, curiosity, and hopeful gaze, seemed to whisper a reminder: to meet the world with open eyes and an open heart, to wander with wonder, and to carry my family’s love with me on every step of the journey.
This first adventure was a gentle one, but it felt like the perfect beginning. I left Pease Park with the sense that Malin had given me her blessing—a nudge to keep moving, to keep seeking, to keep listening to the stories the world is ready to tell.
– Kari