Archivi tag: Finlandia

Arte & cultura,Arte finlandese,Pittura

Christmas atmosphere seen through the eyes of 8 Finnish artists

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While Denmark is saying goodbye to traditional mail and will definitively cease the delivery of paper letters from 31 December 2025, in Santa Claus’s country, Christmas greeting cards will continue to be a real must.
I know that Finns use Christmas greeting cards with great pleasure and many are handmade by themselves.
Sending and receiving these greetings by post  is an integral part of Finnish Christmas tradition, a symbol of love, peace and friendship, and strengthens the bond with the legendary figure of Santa Claus
Thinking about Christmas atmosphere I had the idea to ask eight incredibly talented Finnish artists to show us Christmas atmosphere through their eyes, and I must say, the result of this experiment is truly astonishing, as you’ll see.
In the article along with a brief introduction to the artist, you’ll find two paintings: the first is her Christmas atmosphere and the second is one of her favorites and both are available for sale
I invite you to visit their social media pages and websites to better understand their talent.
To Satu Kekäläinen, Mari Knuttila, Ella Petman, Meria Q, MaJ Sjö, Martina Uthardt, Ulla  Väisänen and Liisa Viima a heartfelt thank you for making my  idea of ​​presenting Christmas atmosphere in a slightly different way possible.

Santa Claus Post Office has been operating since 1985 and receives over 2 million letters a year – for more information see website 

Satu Kekäläinen a fairy tale born from ice

Satu Kekäläinen, she was born in Helsinki, but after living in various places across Finland, she currently lives in Lieto.
Ice is a sort of common thread that has accompanied Satu throughout her life, but artistically it all began in 2015 when, needing to find strength and breathe fresh air, she immersed herself in the nature of nearby Lake Littoistenjärvi, and since it was winter, she began photographing with her camera the figures she saw in the lake ice.
You can see her works on her Instagram and Facebook pages  and website
For Christmas atmosphere, she presents: Christmas tree light 
As a second photos, she presents: Fairy Cow
This ” Fairy Cow “ will be included in Kaarina’s upcoming group exhibition from January 10 to 26, 2026, at Mökkigalleria (Cottage Gallery).
It is photographed in nature, with ice. The colors in the image come from the flowers and the light from the sun.
Both photos are available for purchase on her social media pages.

Satu Kekäläinen – Christmas tree light – Valokuusi
Satu Kekäläinen – Fairy Cow – Keijulehmä

Mari Knuuttila when painting becomes poetry

Mari Knuuttila born in Lapua, a town located in Southern Ostrobothnia and where she currently lives and creates her works in her studio.
Mari has been painting for about seven years, although her main profession is that of Chief Inspector at the State Administrative Agency, a role that requires strict compliance with laws and regulations.
Through painting, Mari has found a way to give free rein to her visual art, free from rules or pre-established patterns.
You can find more information about Mari on her Instagram and Facebook pages and website
For Christmas atmosphere, she presents: Ornament Glow
As a second paintings, she presents: Shadows in Flame
Both paintings are available for purchase on her website.

Mari Knuuttila – Ornament Glow – Joulupallojen hehku
Mari Knuuttila – Shadows in Flame 81cm x 100cm

Ella Petman after a long journey she found her paradise

Ella Petman, born in Jyväskylä, central Finland, where she has lived most of her life, except for the period when she moved to Tampere while studying to join the police.
Since May 2023, Ella has begun to devote herself entirely to painting and has begun producing her works, which are mostly semi-abstract, leaving the observer complete freedom to interpret the painting according to their own vision.
You can find more information about Ella on her Instagram page and website
For Christmas atmosphere, she presents: Lights of the North
As a second painting , she presents: The Tale of the Nebula
Both paintings are available for purchase on her website.

Ella Petman – Lights of the North
Ella Petman – The Tale of the Nebula

 

Meria Q aka Merja Sipiläinen-Kuhlberg, a mysterious artist who believes in miracles created by the free flow of the mind

Merja Sipiläinen-Kuhlberg  was born in Artjärvi (Lake of Art in english) but lives in Turku, a beautiful city on the west coast of Finland.
Meria Q became interested in art as a young girl, sketching evening dresses in her notebooks, and she cultivated this interest as a teenager by designing fabric prints.
As often happens, life sometimes takes strange turns, and Meria Q, abandoning her passion for art, took a different direction that led her into the world of marketing and business.
However, in early 2010, her artistic creativity reawakened and has been unstoppable ever since.
She learned acrylic painting during an astronomical painting course, and thanks to the guidance of excellent professional teachers, she acquired skills in mixed media and watercolor painting.
Once her artistic streak was rekindled, she began painting and drawing as much as possible.
She held her first solo exhibition in 2018, followed by numerous others.
You can find more information about Meria Q on her Instagram page and website
For Christmas atmosphere, she presents: Peace on Earth
As a second painting , she presents: Can you hear the water flowing?
Both paintings are available for purchase on her website.

Meria Q – Peace on Earth, watercolour size A5water
Meria Q – Can you hear the water flowing? – 27cmx35cm, mixed media

MAJ SJÖ from Finland comes with a breeze of positivity 

Maj SJÖ, born in Helsinki, where she has a studio space in Kaapelitehdas, Finland’s largest cultural centre, but currently lives in Espoo where she also creates in her home studio.
When I first saw MaJ’s works, I immediately understood how she managed to capture and convey in her art all those small and large miracles that life can give us day after day.
Her collection of works on the Archipelago and in general on everything that is sea or water (after all, her surname SJÖ in Swedish means lake/sea) can convey incredible emotions and for those like me who have experienced the magic that Hanko can convey, looking at her paintings that portray her means reliving moments of indescribable joy and serenity.
You can find more information about Maj  on her Instagram  and Facebook pages and website
For Christmas atmosphere, she presents: Many reasons to smile – Acrylic on canvas, 70cmx70cm
As a second painting , she presents: Room of Vision – Oil on canvas, 40cmx40cm
Both paintings are available for purchase on her website.

MaJ Sjö – Many reasons to smile – Acrylic on canvas, 70cm x70cm
MaJ Sjö – Room of Vision – Oil on canvas, 40cmx40 cm

Martina Uthardt from Finland send a hymn to the joy of living

Martina Uthardt, born in Malax, where she currently lives in this big village and welcoming of about 5000 inhabitants in Southern Ostrobothnia, where Swedish is spoken rather than Finnish (about 6% of Finns speak Swedish)
After a 10-year stint running a photography agency specializing in portraits, Martina has dedicated herself fully to painting professionally since 2021.
She has experimented with various techniques but currently prefers acrylic painting with its possibilities for layering and variations that make each painting alive and unique in different lights.
When I first saw Martina’s paintings, I was struck by how this artist was able to perfectly represent the Finland I love so much.
You can find more information about Martina  on her Instagram and Facebook  pages and website
For Christmas atmosphere, she presents:  Joyful Christmas – 61cmx50cm
As a second painting , she presents: held by Light Collection, ” Breeze-kissed waves “, 120cmx100cm
Both paintings are available for purchase on her website.

Martina Uthardt – Joyful Christmas – 61cmx50cm
Martina Uthardt – “Breeze-kissed waves”- 120cmx100 cm

Ulla Väisänen from Finland between dream and reality!

Ulla Väisänen, born in Nerkoo, Lapinlahti, a small village in central Finland.
Ulla currently lives in Jyväskylä, a beautiful city that offers the opportunity to live what I call “a Finnish life” where quality of life is definitely at the top of the scale of values for living a good life.
Studied at Kuopio Academy of Design (Textile art, designer) and pedagogy at Tampere Open University
You won’t believe it but when she was young, after watching Fellini’s film “La Strada”, she fell in love with Italy and even started studying Italian.
I don’t know if the vision of this masterpiece by Fellini, where fantasy and reality often alternate, has somehow influenced the artistic vein of Ulla who began drawing and painting as a teenager, certainly her art is a well-calibrated mix of symbolism, surrealism and a bit of realism.
Her works can be viewed and requested through her social channels, Instagram ( ullamirjam ) and Facebook ( Ulla Väisänen )
For Christmas atmosphere, she presents the card : ” A Christmas elf girl sends greetings in the form of stars “
As a second painting , she presents: ” Angry birds ” – 90cm x70cm, she painted it in 2003 and finished it by adding more birds in 2025
The painting is available for purchase on her social media pages.

Ulla Väisänen – A Christmas elf girl sends greetings in the form of stars
Ulla Väisänen – Angry birds – 90cmx70cm

Liisa Viima – It’s never too late to bring joy and beauty into the world

Liisa Viima, born in Oulu and currently based in Espoo.
Although she began painting as a teenager and dreamed of becoming a professional artist, she chose a more conventional path, earning a master’s degree in economics and dedicating herself to her family, including raising two daughters and caring for horse – her lifelong passion.
After facing significant life challenges, Liisa experienced a personal transformation that led her back to her original calling: painting.
Her mission became clear – to bring joy and beauty into the world through her art.
Liisa’s style is contemporary and abstract, often infused with elements of realism, surrealism, and even whimsy.
Recurring themes in her work include humanity, love, and forgiveness, expressed through symbolic imagery such as faces, hearts, stars, hands, the moon, pigeons and also horses.
For Liisa, horses represent courage and nobility values that have guided her life and artistic journey.
You can find more information about Liisa  on her Instagram and Facebook  pages and website
For Christmas atmosphere, she presents: ” Liisa ” 2022 – 60cm x90cm x2cm, it’s a Finnish horse that pulls logs with twice its weight in the cold and the painting is based on “Liisa“, the family mare from Mikko Niskanen blockbuster film
As a second painting , she presents: ” Coeur des Coeurs ” 2023 – 90cm x90cmx4cm, represents Christ after suffering, when everything has been done and forgiven.
Both paintings are available for purchase on her website.

Liisa Viima – Coeur des Coeurs – 90cmx90cmx4cm

Click on the photos to enlarge them

Satu Kekäläinen – Christmas tree light – Valokuusi
Mari Knuuttila – Ornament Glow – Joulupallojen hehku
Ella Petman – Lights of the North
Meria Q – Peace on Earth, watercolour size A5water
MaJ Sjö – Many reasons to smile – Acrylic on canvas, 70cm x70cm
Martina Uthardt – Joyful Christmas – 61cmx50cm
Ulla Väisänen – A Christmas elf girl sends greetings in the form of stars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arte & cultura,Arte finlandese,astrattismo,Mostre,Pittura

Meria Q aka Merja Sipiläinen-Kuhlberg, a mysterious artist who believes in miracles created by the free flow of the mind

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Today I have the pleasure of introducing Finnish artist Merja Sipiläinen-Kuhlberg, who was born in Artjärvi (Lake of Art in english) but lives in Turku, a beautiful city on the west coast of Finland.
Meria Q became interested in art as a young girl, sketching evening dresses in her notebooks, and she cultivated this interest as a teenager by designing fabric prints.
As often happens, life sometimes takes strange turns, and Meria Q, abandoning her passion for art, took a different direction that led her into the world of marketing and business.
However, in early 2010, her artistic creativity reawakened and has been unstoppable ever since.
She learned acrylic painting during an astronomical painting course, and thanks to the guidance of excellent professional teachers, she acquired skills in mixed media and watercolor painting.
Once her artistic streak was rekindled, she began painting and drawing as much as possible.
She held her first solo exhibition in 2018, followed by numerous others.
She is currently exhibiting her work at the exhibition “Art. Peace and Meditation” at the Ecumenical Art Chapel of St. Henry in Turku, until November 30th.
In her stage name, Meria means happiness and sun, while Q stands for the moon, an important guide to other worlds and feelings.Initially, she signed her works with the MSK symbol, but gradually a new logo emerged, in which many people have seen an angel or a butterfly, both elements are luminous and beautifully reflect the energies that move Meria Q’s mind in her creative state.
If we were to define this artist, she could be considered an intuitive painter of mental images, a true communicator of art.
Meria Q visualizes the subconscious, and by doing so, she manages to transfer images into her works that we cannot see with our physical eyes, thus becoming a sort of interpreter of the invisible that dwells within us, both in the present and the past.
The messages, emotions, and stories Meria Q conveys in her paintings manage to convey a sense of peace and tranquility to the viewer, almost to the point of becoming healing.
The viewer’s eyes magically find themselves in a place where the mind can rest.
Art, upon closer inspection, is the primary place where meditation dwells, and Meria Q’s works are a true invitation to meditate, allowing one to fully understand the messages they emanate.
Almost like a flow of wonders, a work becomes predestined for someone who can fully grasp the artist’s message.
Meria Q has received a description of herself from the world of astrology: “A mysterious artist who believes in miracles.” Looking closely at her works, it’s not hard to see her in this description.
By letting go of the free flow and letting things happen, miracles are created, and a new world opens up before us with all its colors, moods, and details.
This, no doubt, is the art of Meria Q!
She is a member of NAS Nordiska Akvarellsällskapet.
Meria Q doesn’t sell paintings online, but you can view some of her paintings on her website, www.meriaq.art.
If you’re interested in any of them, you can contact her through the website itself.

Meria Q alias Merja Sipiläinen-Kuhlberg un’artista misteriosa che crede nei miracoli creati dal libero flusso della mente

Oggi ho il piacere di presentarvi l’artista finlandese Merja Sipiläinen-Kuhlberg che è  nata ad  Artjärvi ( lago d’arte in italiano ), ma  vive a Turku una splendida città sulla costa occidentale della Finlandia.
Meria Q si è avvicinata all’arte già da ragazzina quando disegnava abiti da sera nei suoi quaderni e ha coltivato questo interesse da adolescente disegnando stampe su tessuto.
Come spesso succede la vita a volte fa dei giri strani e Meria Q  tralasciata la passione per l’arte ha preso un’altra direzione che l’ha proiettata nel mondo del marketing e degli affari, ma agli inizi del 2010 la sua creatività artistica si è risvegliata e da allora è diventata inarrestabile.
Ha imparato la pittura acrilica durante un corso di pittura astronomica e grazie alla guida di bravissimi insegnanti professionisti ha acquisito un ottima preparazione nella tecnica mista e nella pittura ad acquerello e una volta che la vena artistica si è rimessa in moto,  ha iniziato a dipingere e disegnare il più possibile.
Ha tenuto la sua prima mostra personale nel 2018 a cui ne sono seguite numerose altre e proprio in questi giorni è presente  fino al 30 novembre con la mostra “ Arte. Pace e meditazione “ presso la Cappella d’arte ecumenica di Sant’Enrico a Turku.
Nel suo nome d’arte Meria  significa felicità e sole mentre Q è la luna che è un’importante guida verso altri mondi e sentimenti.
Agli inizi firmava le sue opere con il simbolo MSK, ma a poco a poco è nato il nuovo logo in cui molte persone hanno visto un angelo o una farfalla, entrambi gli elementi sono luminosi e riflettono molto bene le energie in cui si muove la mente di Meria Q  nello stato creativo.
Volendo dare una definizione di questa artista, la si può considerare una pittrice intuitiva di immagini mentali, una vera e propria comunicatrice d’arte.
Meria Q  visualizza il subconscio e facendolo riesce a trasferire nelle sue opere immagini che non si è in grado di vedere con i nostri occhi fisici, diventando quindi una sorte di interprete dell’invisibile che si alberga in noi, sia al presente che al passato.
I messaggi, le emozioni e le storie che Meria Q  trasferisce nei suoi dipinti riescono a trasmettere a chi li osserva un senso di pace e tranquillità fino quasi a farli diventare curativi a tal punto che gli occhi di chi li guarda si ritrovano come per magia in un luogo dove la mente può riposare.
L’arte a ben vedere è il luogo principe in cui alberga la meditazione  e le opere di Meria Q sono un vero e proprio invito alla meditazione per poter ben comprende i messaggi che emanano, quasi un flusso delle meraviglie che fa diventare un’opera la predestinata per quel qualcuno che riuscirà a cogliervi appieno il messaggio che l’artista ha voluto lanciare.
Meria Q ha ricevuto una descrizione di se stessa dal mondo dell’astrologia: “ Un’artista misteriosa che crede nei miracoli” e a ben guardare le sue opere non è difficile ritrovarla in questa descrizione perché lasciandosi andare al libero flusso e lasciando che le cose accadano, si creano miracoli e un nuovo mondo si apre davanti a noi con tutti i suoi colori, stati d’animo e dettagli, e questa non c’è che dire è l’arte di Meria Q!
Fa parte come membro della NAS Nordiska Akvarellsällskapet
Meria Q  non vende quadri online, ma attraverso il suo sito web www.meriaq.art potete vedere alcuni dei suoi dipinti e se interessati ad alcuni di questi prendete contatto  tramite il sito stesso.

Solo exhibitions:
Raisio Museum Harkko/ Aulagalleria (Hall Gallery), Raisio 2024
Arbis Turku, Galleriväggen 2023
Brinkhallin kartanon Kahvila (Brinkhall Manor Café), Turku 2022
Brinkkalan Outolintu, Turku 2022
Hemmotteluhuone Sinulle, Turku 2022
Turku City Main Library, digital exhibition, Turku 2022
Hemmotteluhuone Sinulle, Turku 2021
Hemmotteluhuone Sinulle, Turku 2020
Brinkkalan Outolintu, Turku 2020
Hemmotteluhuone Sinulle, Turku 2019
Tierra Finlandia, Turku 2019
Arbis Turku, Galleriväggen 2019
Restaurant Prego!, Kaarina 2019
Tierra Finlandia, Turku 2018

 Duo-exhibition:
”Art.Peace and meditation” with Victoria Björklund
at Ecumenical Art Chapel of St. Henry, Turku
until November 30th, 2025

 Group exhibitions:
Kaarina-talo, Kaarina Artist Assosiation Exhibition, Kaarina 2025
Mökki Galleria, Kaarina 2025
Nordiska Akvarellsällskapet NAS, Internet exhibition 12.2024-4.2025
Mökki Galleria, Kaarina 2024
Arbis Turku, watercolour paintings 2024
Galleria Petite & Cherie, Helsinki 2023
Arbis Turku, watercolour paintings 2023
Mökki Galleria, Kaarina 2019
Arbis Turku, watercolour paintings 2019
Arbis Turku, watercolour paintings 2018
Arbis Turku, watercolour paintings 2017

Meria Q – Coming home, 56×76 cm, 2025, watercolour
Meria Q – Love planet – 56×76 cm , 2025, watercolour
Meria Q – Looking back, 38×56 cm, 2022, watercolour
Meria Q – Dates stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in prosciutto 30×40 cm, 2024 watercolour

Acrylics

Meria Q – Woman sitting in the wind, 70×70 cm, 2024, acrylic
Meria Q – Birches in the forest, 40×40 cm, 2020, acrylic
Meria Q – Lion’s Gate, 65×90 cm, 2019, acrylic
Meria Q – The singing sparrow’s home nest, 25×30 cm, 2020, acrylic
Meria Q – Would you go with me, 60×60 cm ,acrylic
Meria Q – Invitation to the Snowfields, 70×80 cm, 2025, acrylic

Birds

Meria Q – Kingfisher, 16×13 cm, 2020, watercolour
Meria Q – Seagulls, 35×25 cm, 2021, watercolour
Meria Q – A little bit of Västäräk, 28×19 cm, 2020, watercolour
Meria Q – A rare bird guest appears, 14×19 cm, 2020, watercolour
Meria Q – Bird of the mountain birch, 14×19 cm, 2020, watercolour
Meria Q – Chirping, 27×35 cm, 2023, watercolour
Meria Q – Wader, 28×19 cm, 2020, watercolour

Watercolour

Meria Q – Crumbed Cod with Tartar Sauce, 30×40 cm, 2025, watercolour
Meria Q – Dancing Northern Lights, 14×19 cm, 2020, watercolour
Meria Q – Drop your mask and remember who you are, 38×56 cm, 2021, watercolour
Meria Q – I’m cackling at the chicken, a little girl’s yoik, 14×19, 2020, watercolour
Meria Q – Sunset in the archipelago, 34×25 cm, 2021, watercolour
Meria Q – Born Deep, 30×40 cm, 2024, watercolour
Meria Q – Clouds, 35×25 cm, 2021, watercolour
Meria Q – Flying high in the shades of blue, 28×19 cm, 2021, watercolour
Meria Q – Island Summer, 28×38 cm, 2021, watercolour
Meria Q – Love Tree, 38×28 cm, 2023, watercolour
Meria Q – Midsummer, 21×29 cm, 2023, watercolour
Meria Q – Overtone, 15×21 cm, 2022, watercolour
Meria Q – Poppies, 28×38 cm, 2023, watercolour
Meria Q – Sailing, 28×37.5 cm, 2023, watercolour
Meria Q – Summer Night, 21×15 cm, 2022, watercolour
Meria Q – The first snow fell on the fell, 19×14 cm, 2020, watercolour
Meria Q – Vibrations, 15×21 cm, 2022, watercolour
Meria Q – Winter, 33×17 cm, 2020, watercolour

Mixed media

Meria Q – A mouse in a pillbox hat, a squirrel and a few other animals, 60×80 cm, 2021, mixed media
Meria Q – Dreamer, 35×26 cm, 2020, mixed media
Meria Q – In the Golden Nest, 70×50 cm, 2018, mixed media
Meria Q – Running feet, 30×40 cm, mixed media, 2024
Meria Q – Vortex of Life, 70×70 cm, 2023, mixed media
Meria Q – A little girl’s big journey, 50×70 cm, 2020, mixed media
Meria Q – Adventurers, 40×40 cm, 2024, mixed media
Meria Q – At the Edge of the World, 60×80 cm, 2019, mixed media
Meria Q – Birth, 50×70 cm, mixed media
Meria Q – Cinderella puff, 50 x70 cm, 2018, mixed media
Meria Q – Contemplator in the lap of nature, 50×70 cm, 2020, mixed media
Meria Q – High in the treetops, 36×46 cm, 2022, mixed media
Meria Q – Himalaya, 40×40 cm, mixed media, 2024
Meria Q – On a bike ride, 50×70 cm, 2020, mixed media
Meria Q – On an evening walk, 36×46 cm, 2022, mixed media
Meria Q – Pike jawbone, 50×70 cm, 2020, mixed media
Meria Q – Pond ice chips , 36×46 cm, 2022, mixed media
Meria Q – Raindrops, 30×40 cm, 2022, mixed media
Meria Q – Spell, 60×80 cm, 2021, mixed media
Meria Q – The Sea’s Embrace, 40×40 cm, mixed media, 2023
Meria Q – Towards dreams. 50×70 cm, mixed media, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arte & cultura,Arte finlandese,Pittura

Ruska: Finnish foliage seen through the eyes of 8 Finnish artists

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In Finland, there’s a special word to describe the magic of autumn: Ruska, a natural spectacle that is experienced as a true tradition in Northern Europe.
Ruska is considered the Nordic equivalent of Japanese hanami, a moment of celebration of nature to be seized when it is present for only a brief moment.
The northern region of Lapland is the starting point of Ruska, with its landscape of taiga and forest-covered hills, before continuing south.
The protagonists of Ruska are warm colors like red, orange, and yellow, but brown and the colors of the leaves aren’t the only wonders the forests offer: mushrooms and berries, such as blueberries and cranberries, are treasures that grow during this period.
For Finns, Ruska is more than just foliage, and “Ruskaretki” is a typical excursion beloved by many Finns and tourists, a collective ritual consisting of hikes in national parks, days spent in mökki (the wooden cabins by the lake), and mushroom and berry picking thanks to jokamiehenoikeus (the right of every man).
Ruska is a precious time of contemplation and recharging, marking the end of summer and preparing for the long Nordic winter.
I’ve been to Lapland many times during the Ruska season and have been fascinated not only by the gorgeously colored leaves on the trees but also, above all, by the veritable autumnal sea that accompanies you as you walk across the incredible shades of leaves.
Thinking about Ruska, I had the idea to ask eight incredibly talented Finnish artists to show us Ruska through their eyes, and I must say, the result of this experiment is truly astonishing, as you’ll see.
In the article, along with a brief introduction to the artist, you’ll find two paintings: the first is her Ruska and the second is one of her favorites, or the presentation of an upcoming solo exhibition.
I invite you to visit their social media pages and websites to better understand their talent.
To Minna Pärttö, Ella Petman, Satu Kekäläinen, Mari Knuttila, Taru Rouhiainen, MaJ Sjö, Martina Uthardt, and  Liisa Viima, I extend my heartfelt thanks for making my idea of ​​presenting Finnish Ruska in a slightly different way possible.

Minna Pärttö – Furu, 2021,81x100cm, acrylic on canvas
Ella Petman – Ruska, 54×65 cm, acrylics on canvas
Satu Kekäläinen- Kupliva syksy, Bubbling autumn
Mari Knuttila – Autumn Glow (Syyshehku) – diameter 40 cm
Taru Rouhiainen -Violet, 2022, mixed medium on linen 33x41cm
Maj Sjö – Magic Happens , Acrylic on canvas, 2025 , 50×50 cm
Martina Uthardt – Midsummer in Sapmi, 100 x 81 cm – sold
Liisa Viima – Lighthouse, 55 x 46 x 2 cm. Oil on canvas

 

Minna Pärttö and the art of discovering emotions between past and present

Minna lives in Inkeroinen, southern Finland, and began painting regularly in 2019.
Since then, she has participated in exhibitions both in her home country and abroad.
Painting has become Minna’s natural way of expressing herself, because sometimes it’s not easy to put into words what you feel inside, and for her, art has become a preferred channel for expressing those emotions that are difficult to put into words.
You can find more information about Minna on her social media pages, Instagram and Facebook.
For Ruska, she presents: Furu, 2021, 81x100cm, acrylic on canvas.
As a second painting, she presents: I Can Still See You, 81x100cm, acrylic on canvas.
Both paintings are available for purchase on her social media pages.

Minna Pärttö – Furu, 2021,81x100cm, acrylic on canvas
Minna Pärttö – I Can Still see You, 81x100cm, acrylic on canvas

Ella Petman after a long journey she found her paradise

Ella Petman, born in Jyväskylä, central Finland, where she has lived most of her life, except for the period when she moved to Tampere while studying to join the police.
Since May 2023, Ella has begun to devote herself entirely to painting and has begun producing her works, which are mostly semi-abstract, leaving the observer complete freedom to interpret the painting according to their own vision.
You can find more information about Ella on her Instagram page and website
For Ruska, she presents: Ruska, 54×65 cm, acrylics on canvas,
As a second painting, she presents: Fulfilled with love, 70x90x3 cm, acrylics on canvas
Both paintings are available for purchase on her social media pages.

Ella Petman – Ruska, 54×65 cm, acrylics on canvas
Ella Petman –

Satu Kekäläinen a fairy tale born from ice

Satu Kekäläinen, she was born in Helsinki, but after living in various places across Finland, she currently lives in Lieto.
Ice is a sort of common thread that has accompanied Satu throughout her life, but artistically it all began in 2015 when, needing to find strength and breathe fresh air, she immersed herself in the nature of nearby Lake Littoistenjärvi, and since it was winter, she began photographing with her camera the figures she saw in the lake ice.
You can see her works on her Instagram and Facebook pages  and website
For Ruska, she presents: Bubbling autumn
As a second photos, she presents:  Autumn look
In  January 2026 she will partecipate in an exhibition  at the Mökkigalleria (cottage gallery) in Kaarina
Both photos are available for purchase on her social media pages.

Satu Kekäläinen- Kupliva syksy, Bubbling autumn
Satu Kekäläinen-Syksyn ilme, Autumn look

Mari Knuuttila when painting becomes poetry

Mari Knuuttila born in Lapua, a town located in Southern Ostrobothnia and where she currently lives and creates her works in her studio.
Mari has been painting for about seven years, although her main profession is that of Chief Inspector at the State Administrative Agency, a role that requires strict compliance with laws and regulations.
Through painting, Mari has found a way to give free rein to her visual art, free from rules or pre-established patterns.
You can find more information about Mari on her Instagram and Facebook pages and website
For Ruska, she presents: Autumn Glow (Syyshehku) – diameter 40 cm
As a second painting, she presents:  Golden Trace – 80×100 cm
Both paintings are available for purchase on her social media pages.

Mari Knuttila – Autumn Glow (Syyshehku) – diameter 40 cm
Mari Knuttila – Golden Trace – 80×100 cm

Taru Rouhiainen when art transforms into joy of living

Taru Rouhiainen born in Hyvinkää but currently lives  in Vantaa.
Taru’s is one of those stories that shows us how not only painting, but art in general, can be the best medicine for overcoming difficult times.
In 2020, after the crisis, Taru found herself needing something that would allow her not only to stay busy but also to process and express her feelings.And so, making a life-changing choice, she enrolled in a painting course and fell in love with art!
Before discovering painting, she had always appreciated colors and, above all, their effect on our emotions, bringing joy into our homes.
You can find more information about Taru on her Instagram and Facebook pages and website
For Ruska, she presents: Violet, 2022, mixed medium on linen 33x41cm
As a second painting, she presents: Red, 2025, mixed medium on linen 33x40cm
Both paintings are available for purchase on her social media pages.

Taru Rouhiainen -Violet, 2022, mixed medium on linen 33x41cm
Taru Rouhiainen – Red, 2025, mixed medium on linen 33x40cm

MAJ SJÖ from Finland comes with a breeze of positivity 

Maj SJÖ, born in Helsinki, where she has a studio space in Kaapelitehdas, Finland’s largest cultural centre, but currently lives in Espoo where she also creates in her home studio.
When I first saw MaJ’s works, I immediately understood how she managed to capture and convey in her art all those small and large miracles that life can give us day after day.
Her collection of works on the Archipelago and in general on everything that is sea or water (after all, her surname SJÖ in Swedish means lake/sea) can convey incredible emotions and for those like me who have experienced the magic that Hanko can convey, looking at her paintings that portray her means reliving moments of indescribable joy and serenity.
You can find more information about Maj  on her Instagram  and Facebook pages and website
For Ruska, she presents: Magic Happens , Acrylic on canvas, 2025 , 50×50 cm
As a second chanche, she presents:  the poster of her  next solo exhibition which opens on November 1st in Helsinki
Painting is  available for purchase on her social media pages.

Maj Sjö – Magic Happens , Acrylic on canvas, 2025 , 50×50 cm
Maj Sjö – HOUSE OF ALCHEMY – personal exhibition Take Me Home Galleria, Helsinki

Martina Uthardt from Finland send a hymn to the joy of living

Martina Uthardt, born in Malax, where she currently lives in this big village and welcoming of about 5000 inhabitants in Southern Ostrobothnia, where Swedish is spoken rather than Finnish (about 6% of Finns speak Swedish)
After a 10-year stint running a photography agency specializing in portraits, Martina has dedicated herself fully to painting professionally since 2021.
She has experimented with various techniques but currently prefers acrylic painting with its possibilities for layering and variations that make each painting alive and unique in different lights.
When I first saw Martina’s paintings, I was struck by how this artist was able to perfectly represent the Finland I love so much.
You can find more information about Martina  on her Instagram and Facebook  pages and website
For Ruska, she presents: Midsummer in Sapmi, 100 x 81 cm
As a second painting, she presents:  Blue Dreams, 100 x 81 cm
Sapmi it’s the real name for Lapland
The second painting  is  available for purchase on her website

Martina Uthardt – Midsummer in Sapmi, 100 x 81 cm – sold
Martina Uthardt – Blue Dreams, 100 x 81 cm

Liisa Viima – It’s never too late to bring joy and beauty into the world

Liisa Viima, born in Oulu and currently based in Espoo.
Although she began painting as a teenager and dreamed of becoming a professional artist, she chose a more conventional path, earning a master’s degree in economics and dedicating herself to her family, including raising two daughters and caring for horse – her lifelong passion.
After facing significant life challenges, Liisa experienced a personal transformation that led her back to her original calling: painting.
Her mission became clear – to bring joy and beauty into the world through her art.
Liisa’s style is contemporary and abstract, often infused with elements of realism, surrealism, and even whimsy.
Recurring themes in her work include humanity, love, and forgiveness, expressed through symbolic imagery such as faces, hearts, stars, hands, the moon, pigeons and also horses.
For Liisa, horses represent courage and nobility values that have guided her life and artistic journey.
You can find more information about Liisa  on her Instagram and Facebook  pages and website
For Ruska, she presents:  Lighthouse, 55 x 46 x 2 cm, Oil on canvas
As a second painting, she presents:  Soul, 60 x 40 cm,  mixed media on paper
Both paintings are available for purchase on her social media pages.

Liisa Viima – Lighthouse, 55 x 46 x 2 cm. Oil on canvas
Liisa Viima – Soul,60 x 40 cm. Mixed media on paper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arte & cultura,Arte finlandese,astrattismo,Mostre,Pittura

Annika Aro life sometimes takes strange turns and brings you back to the starting point, art!

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Today I’m pleased to introduce you to Finnish artist Annika Aro, born in Iitti, a small village in the Päijät-Häme region of southern Finland, and currently residing in Vantaa.
As a child, Annika loved reading and drawing and was very creative and a dreamer, but she had the level head to excel in school and put in the effort she put in at everything she did – the classic “good girl” who wants to please everyone and thus gain everyone’s approval.
Her passion for art and an innate creativity accompanied her throughout her adolescence, but after graduating and moving from her small native village, her creative side abandoned her to the point of thinking she had lost it completely.
For 20 years, she focused on her studies and a career in marketing, and also studied to become a nutritionist, but during this time, her relationship with art faded.
But life sometimes takes strange turns and brings you back to square one, but the greatest thing about all this is that the new beginning will be experienced differently because you are no longer the same, but you have changed.
And that’s exactly what happened to Annika when, in 2020, after separating from her partner, she moved into her own apartment, where she felt her creativity reawaken within her.
She began painting again and hasn’t stopped since, and over time she has modified and refined her painting technique.
At first, she used watercolors, drawing inspiration from her grandmother’s old photos, a path she enjoyed but which somehow stifled her desire for freedom, which truly emerged when she approached abstract painting.
Annika paints intuitive, abstract works in which the layered and ever-evolving pictorial process becomes visible, and her works are composed of multiple dimensions of color, mood, and form.
Through her creative process and her inner world, Annika uses abstract expression as a tool to convey intuitions and emotional states that are difficult to express in words.
Today, Annika can be considered a well-rounded artist who expresses herself primarily with acrylics, but also occasionally uses watercolors and freehand drawing, a playful medium that simultaneously relaxes and creates, yet without pressure.
Especially in her depictions of the human figure, the technique creates an intriguing, organic atmosphere that adds depth and emotion to the work.
Annika is a member of the Suomen Taiteilijat Ry and the Helsingin Taideyhdistys.
Her works have been exhibited in several group shows and galleries in the Helsinki metropolitan area, and in 2024 and 2025, she also participated in the summer exhibitions at the beautiful Strömfors Ironworks in Loviisa, Finland.
In addition to painting, Annika loves exploring creativity as a channel of empowerment and a tool to overcome the exhaustion, oppression, and lack of deep meaning she often experiences in her 9-to-5 office job.
In recent years, creativity has also become a gateway to deeper self-knowledge and understanding, leading her to share and discuss these topics on her creativity-focused Instagram account @mariannica.art, where she has also created a transformative coaching service on these topics.
Also, something really interesting is that she organizes Paint & Wine events in Helsinki with her fellow artist Kaisa Palonen.
Together, they teach painting, and participants can unleash their creativity while painting and sipping a glass of wine!
For information and contact, you can find them on Instagram at @sivelvin.
You can find more information about Annika Aro through her Instagram page: @mariannica.art  and her website www.annikaaro.com

Annika Aro la vita a volte fa dei giri strani e ti riporta al punto di partenza, l’arte!

Oggi sono lieto di presentarvi l’artista finlandese Annika Aro nata  a Iitti, un piccolo villaggio situato nella regione del Päijät-Häme  situata nella Finlandia meridionale e attualmente residente a Vantaa.
Da bambina Annika amava leggere e disegnare  ed era molto creativa e sognatrice ma con la testa sulle spalle quanto basta per essere molto brava a scuola e capace di impegnarsi al massimo in tutto quello che faceva, la classica “brava ragazza” che vuole accontentare tutti per ottenere di conseguenza l’approvazione di tutti.
La passione per l’arte e una innata creatività l’hanno accompagnata per tutta l’adolescenza ma dopo aver conseguito la laurea e il trasferimento dal piccolo villaggio natio il suo lato creativo l’ha abbandonata fino al punto di pensare di averlo perso del tutto.
Per 20 anni si è concentrata sugli studi e sulla carriera nel marketing, e ha anche studiato per diventare nutrizionista e in questo periodo il suo rapporto con l’arte è venuto meno.
Ma la vita a volte fa dei giri strani e ti riporta al punto di partenza, ma la cosa più grande di tutto questo è che il nuovo inizio sarà vissuto in modo diverso perché tu non sei più lo stesso, ma sei cambiato.
Ed è proprio quello che è successo ad Annika quando nel 2020 dopo essersi separata dal suo compagno si è trasferita in un appartamento tutto suo dove ha sentito la creatività risvegliarsi nuovamente dentro di lei.
Ha ricominciato a dipingere e non ha più smesso, e nel tempo ha modificato ed affinato la sua tecnica pittorica.
Agli inizi ha usato gli acquerelli, ispirandosi a vecchie foto della nonna un percorso che le piaceva ma che in qualche modo soffocava la sua voglia di libertà che è uscita fuori alla grande nel momento in cui si è avvicinata alla pittura astratta.
Annika dipinge  opere intuitive e astratte in cui il processo pittorico stratificato e in continua evoluzione diventa visibile, e le sue opere sono composte da molteplici dimensioni di colore, umore e forma. Attraverso il suo processo creativo e il suo mondo interiore, Annika utilizza l’espressione astratta come strumento per trasmettere intuizioni e stati emotivi difficilmente esprimibili a parole.
Oggi si può dire che Annika è un’artista a tutto tondo che si esprime principalmente con l’acrilico ma non disdegna ogni tanto l’acquerello e il disegno a mano libera che è un modo giocoso capace di rilassare e creare al tempo stesso, ma senza pressione.
Soprattutto nelle raffigurazioni della figura umana, la tecnica crea un’atmosfera intrigante e organica che aggiunge profondità ed emozione all’opera.
Annika è membro del Suomen Taiteilijat Ry e del Helsingin Taideyhdistys.
Le sue opere sono state esposte in diverse mostre collettive e gallerie nell’area metropolitana di Helsinki e, nel 2024 e nel 2025, ha  anche partecipato alle mostre estive presso la splendida Strömfors Ironworks a Loviisa, in Finlandia.
Annika oltre alla pittura, ama esplorare la creatività come canale di empowerment e strumento per superare la stanchezza, l’oppressione e la mancanza di significato profondo che ha spesso sperimentato nel suo  lavoro d’ufficio dalle 9 alle 17.
Negli ultimi anni, la creatività è diventata anche una porta d’accesso a una più profonda conoscenza e comprensione di sé, tanto da portarla a condividere e parlare di questi temi sul suo account Instagram dedicato alla creatività @mariannica.art  dove è presente  anche un servizio di coaching trasformativo su questi temi.
Inoltre, cosa davvero molto interessante organizza eventi Paint&Wine a Helsinki con la sua collega artista Kaisa Palonen, insieme  insegnano  a dipingere e i partecipanti possono liberare la loro creatività dipingendo e sorseggiando un bicchiere di vino!
Per informazioni e contatti le trovate su  Instagram con il nome @sivelvin
Potete trovare maggiori informazioni su Annika Aro attraverso la sua pagina Instragram : @mariannica.art  e il suo sito web www.annikaaro.com

Annika Aro – Serenity
Annika Aro – Bliss
Annika Aro – Rebirth
Annika Aro – Orchid
Annika Aro – Triangle Drama 1
Annika Aro – Triangle Drama 2
Annika Aro – Triangle Drama 3
Annika Aro – Finding Joy
Annika Aro – TRUST
Annika Aro – Frequencies
Annika Aro – The Wait
Annika Aro – Transitions
Annika Aro – Roots
Annika Aro – What title would you give to this painting?

Art exhibitions

Cable Factory, Helsinki
Annual exhibition, Finnish Artists Association
11.-31.8.2025
Cable Factory, Helsinki
Rhythms, Helsinki Art Association
11.-31.8.2025
Strömfors Ironworks, Loviisa
Eudaimonia. Group exhibition Annika Aro, Lotta Sahrqvist, Sanna Nyberg & Marie-Elisabeth Tiitinen
4.-30.7.2025
Piano Art Gallery, Helsinki
Joint exhibition Annika Aro & Sanna Nyberg
6.3.-13.5.2025
Opus Business Park, Helsinki
Private exhibition
5.2.-3.8.2025
Jorvi Hospital, Espoo
Joy and Inspiration, Helsinki Art Association
26.1.-22.2.2025
Strömfors Ironworks, Loviisa
Eudaimonia. Group exhibition Annika Aro, Lotta Sahrqvist, Sanna Nyberg & Marie-Elisabeth Tiitinen
4.-30.7.2025
Aatos Gallery, Porvoo
Joint exhibition Annika Aro & Sanna Nyberg
8.-31.1.2025
Strömfors Ironworks, Loviisa
On the growth curve. Group exhibition Annika Aro, Lotta Sahrqvist, Sanna Nyberg & Marie-Elisabeth Tiitinen
1.-31.8.2024
Petite & Cherie Gallery, Helsinki
Group exhibition
29.6.-27.7.2024
Cable Factory, Helsinki
Splendor themed exhibition, Association of Finnish Artists
April 1-14, 2024
Fogga Gallery, Helsinki
Call of the Jungle, group exhibition
2023
Fogga Gallery, Helsinki
Together for a new beginning, joint exhibition
2022

 

Arte & cultura,Arte finlandese,astrattismo,Pittura

Minna Pärttö and the art of discovering emotions between past and present

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Today, I’m delighted to introduce you to a Finnish artist, Minna Pärttö   who lives in Inkeroinen, southern Finland.
Since she was a child, Minna has always enjoyed painting, making music, and engaging in all kinds of creative activities.
Immersed in the world and atmosphere of art, Minna felt at ease, surrounded by a sense of peace and calm.
As the years passed, her creative pursuits faded into the background, but that spark ignited at an early age remains within her.
Minna holds a Master’s degree in Social Sciences, with a focus on psychology and social psychology.
Beyond the theoretical aspect, Minna wanted a more holistic approach to human well-being, and she discovered Emotional reflexology , which considers the person as a combination of thoughts, emotions, and body.
This school was the fundamental reason why painting resurfaced in her life.
These studies allowed her to delve deeply into herself, examining her identity and emotional heritage.
She began painting regularly in 2019 and has since participated in exhibitions both in her home country and abroad.
Painting has become Minna’s natural way of expressing herself, because sometimes it’s not easy to put into words what you feel inside, and for her, art has become a preferred channel for expressing those emotions that are difficult to put into words.
Minna draws inspiration for her works from the details and patina of time found in nature.
Weather-worn concrete walls, rusted pillars, or rocks smoothed by flowing water have always struck her as beautiful, and she remains fascinated by how time leaves its mark on everything that exists.
The patina of time emerges spontaneously, unforced, but naturally, bringing with it depth, layers, and perspective.
Her  works take shape slowly, and after an initial impression of sobriety,s he allows details, colors, and textures to emerge from the painting.
Her  abstract painting is intuitive, where colors, techniques, and shapes are selected gradually as the pictorial process progresses.
For Minna, intuitive painting means above all trust in a creative process free from unnecessary rules, where each brushstroke moves towards a result that is due to the complete acceptance of any imperfections that increase the interest of the creative process until the work is completed.
Sometimes, however, frustrations and questions are part of this journey, but the important thing is being able to overcome them to reach the desired goal.
For Minna, painting is, above all, a moment to stop and be with herself.
Her thoughts calm down and her emotions emerge, leading her to a kind of introspective meditation.
As she paints, those emotions that are still subconscious emerge, and very often, the subconscious in each of us is like a bridge to our own history.
Thus, past generations, their stories and emotions, intertwine with the emotions that pervade Minna, almost creating a channel through which to recognize the emotional legacy passed down from generation to generation.
You can find more information about Minna on her social media pages:
Instagram
Facebook

Minna Pärttö  e l’arte di scoprire emozioni tra passato e presente

Con grande piacere oggi vi presento un’artista finlandese  Minna Pärttö   che vive a Inkeroinen, nella Finlandia meridionale.
A Minna fin da bambina  è  sempre piaciuto dipingere, fare musica e dedicarsi a ogni tipo di attività  creativa.
Immersa com’era nel mondo e nell’atmosfera dell’arte Minna si sentiva a suo agio, circondata da un senso di pace e calma.
Con il passare degli anni, le attività  creative sono passate in secondo piano, ma quella scintilla accesa in tenera età  continua a rimanere dentro di lei.
Minna ha conseguito una laurea magistrale in Scienze Sociali, con studi incentrati su psicologia e psicologia sociale.
Accanto all’aspetto  teorico, Minna desiderava avere un approccio più  olistico al benessere umano, e ha scoperto  la Riflessologia emozionale, che considera la persona come un insieme di pensieri, emozioni e corpo.
Questa scuola  è  stata la ragione fondamentale per cui la pittura  è  tornata ad affacciarsi nella sua vita.
Questi studi le hanno consentito un’immersione profonda in se stessa, un esame della propria identità  e del proprio patrimonio emotivo.
Ha iniziato a dipingere regolarmente nel 2019 e da allora ha partecipato a mostre sia nel suo  paese d’origine che all’estero.
La pittura per Minna  è  diventata il suo modo naturale di esprimersi, perché  a volte non è  facile esprimere a  parole quello che si prova dentro e per lei l’arte  è  diventata un canale preferenziale per far conoscere quelle emozioni difficile da esprimere a parole.
Minna trae ispirazione per le sue opere dai dettagli e dalla patina del tempo che si trova nella natura, muri di cemento consumati dalle intemperie, pilastri arrugginiti o rocce levigate dallo scorrere dell’acqua a lei  sono sempre sembrati bellissimi e rimane affascinata da come il tempo  lasci il suo segno su tutto ciò  che esiste.
La patina del tempo nasce spontanea, senza forzature, ma naturalmente e porta con se profondità , strati e prospettiva.
Le sue opere prendono forma lentamente e dopo un’iniziale impressione di sobrietà  fa in modo che dettagli, colori e texture emergano dal dipinto.
La sua  pittura astratta è intuitiva dove colori, tecniche e forme vengono selezionati man mano che il processo pittorico procede.
Per Minna la pittura intuitiva significa soprattutto fiducia nel processo di creazione libero da regole inutili, dove ogni pennellata si muove verso un risultato che  è  dovuto alla completa accettazione anche di eventuali imperfezioni che aumentano l’interesse del processo creativo fino ad arrivare al completamento dell’opera e talvolta però  frustrazioni e interrogativi fanno parte di questo percorso, ma l’importante  è  riuscire a superarle per arrivare alla meta prefissata.
Per Minna, dipingere  è , soprattutto fermarsi per stare con se stessa, i suoi pensieri si placano e le sue emozioni  si appalesano portandola a vivere una sorta di meditazione introspettiva.
Durante la pittura in Minna si fanno spazio quelle emozioni che sono ancora a livello subconscio e molto spesso il subconscio in ognuno di noi  è  come un ponte verso la propria storia.
Ecco così  che le generazioni passate, le loro storie e le loro emozioni, si intrecciano con le emozioni che pervadono Minna quasi a creare un canale dove poter riconoscere l’eredità  emotiva tramandata di generazione in generazione.
Potete trovare maggiori notizie su Minna sulle sue pagine social
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Minna Pärttö – Sky Beneath
Minna Pärttö – Far and Away
Minna Pärttö – Light In You
Minna Pärttö – I Can Still see You
Minna Pärttö – Laterna
Arte & cultura,Arte finlandese

Marjo Riitta Tuovila and her journey between dream and reality

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With great pleasure today I present to you the Finnish artist Marjo Riitta Tuovila born Haapavesi where she still lives.
Marjo started drawing at the age of four when a coloring book opened the doors to a new world for her, a world where she let herself be transported between dream and reality!
From her paintings it is not difficult to understand that Marjo is gifted with a remarkable imagination, a fact that as a child caused her some problems at school where instead of following the lesson she was sometimes immersed in her fantasy worlds.
Although her art once helped her get an extra point for the beautiful drawings she’d made after a math test where she couldn’t do the math.
She talked to her father about her passion for art and painting, telling him she wanted to be an artist.
While he didn’t dissuade her, he advised her to study for a real profession.
Today, more than ever, Marjo knows how difficult it is to make a living from art.
Remembering that advice, Marjo is a kindergarten assistant/instructor  and works at Hytti-kallio School in Haapavesi.
She started painting when she was 17 and set herself the goal of becoming good at it ( and I believe there’s no doubt that Marjo has fully achieved her goal ).
In 2005, her artistic journey took a turning point when she discovered portraiture.
It was love at first sight, although perfecting her technique wasn’t easy, and today she expresses herself through highly expressive works that capture attention from the very first glance.
Speaking of technique, Marjo has primarily painted with acrylic paints, which dry quickly and are ideal for those who work quickly, but she recently discovered water-soluble oil paints, which she finds much easier to use and offer more pleasing color combinations.
Another important milestone in her artistic journey was her encounter with animals, which occurred at a time in Marjo’s life when she was questioning our existence in this world, and the freedom, instincts, and sensitivity of animals greatly helped her overcome some of her fears.
She often describes herself as a returning migrant, like migratory birds that fly south every autumn, orienting themselves by instinct and always finding their way back.
The visual arts have been Marjo’s greatest support throughout her life.
Not only have they allowed her to express her true personality, but they have also helped her through those dark moments that occasionally strike us throughout our lives.
In a recent interview for the presentation of her new solo exhibition, Marjo said she feels very fortunate to be able to create new worlds through her journey between dream and reality.
Despite the success achieved through her work, Marjo continues to study art to improve herself, knowing that her desire to learn will never abandon her.
This not only comforts her morally, but fills her life with happiness.
She has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions, and 29 of her works are currently on display until September 24th in the exhibition ” When the World Dreams of Us ” held at the Tillari Gallery in Nivala.
Her works are visible and available for purchase through her social media pages.

Instagram

Marjo Riitta Tuovila e il suo viaggio tra sogno e realtà

Con grande piacere oggi vi presento l’artista finlandese Marjo Riita Tuovila nata a Haapavesi dove tutt’ora vive.
Marjo ha iniziato ha disegnare all’età di quattro anni quando un libro da colorare le ha aperto le porte di un mondo nuovo per lei, un mondo in cui lei si è lasciata trasportare tra sogno e realtà!
Dai suoi dipinti non è difficile capire che Marjo è dotata di una notevole immaginazione fatto questo che da bambina le creava qualche problema a scuola dove lei anziché seguire la lezione talvolta era immersa nei suoi mondi fantastici.
Anche se una volta la sua arte la aiutò a ricevere un punteggio extra per i bei disegni che aveva fatto dietro il test di matematica in cui non riusciva a fare i calcoli.
Della sua passione per l’arte e la pittura ne parlò con il papà dicendogli che voleva fare l’artista e lui pur non dissuadendola le consigliò di studiare per ottenere una vera professione e oggi più di allora Marjo sa di quanto sia difficile guadagnarsi da vivere con l’arte.
Memore di quel consiglio, Marjo è un’assistente istruttore di scuola materna e lavora alla Hytti-kallio School di Haapavesi.
Ha iniziato a dipingere quando aveva 17 anni e si è data come obbiettivo quello di diventare brava ( e credo non ci siano dubbi sul fatto che Marjo ha centrato in pieno il suo goal )
Nel 2005 c’è stata una svolta nel suo percorso artistico quando ha scoperto la ritrattistica, è stato amore a prima vista, anche se non è stato facile l’iter per perfezionare la sua tecnica che oggi si esprime attraverso opere molto espressive e capaci di suscitare l’attenzione già dal primo sguardo.
A proposito di tecnica Marjo ha dipinto principalmente con colori acrilici che asciugandosi in fretta sono molto adatti a chi come lei lavora velocemente, ma recentemente ha scoperto i colori a olio solubili in acqua che le risultano molto più facili da usare e capaci di offrire combinazioni di colori più piacevoli.
Un’altra tappa importante del suo percorso artistico è stata l’incontro con gli animali che è avvenuto in un periodo della vita di Marjo in cui lei si poneva delle domande sulla nostra esistenza in questo mondo e la libertà, gli istinti e la sensibilità degli animali l’hanno aiutata molto a superare certe sue paure.
Lei spesso si definisce un migrante di ritorno, come gli uccelli migratori che ogni autunno volano verso sud orientandosi per istinto e trovando sempre la strada del ritorno.
Le arti visive sono state per Marjo il suo più grande sostegno nella sua vita, non solo le hanno permesso di far uscire all’esterno quella che è la sua vera personalità ma l’hanno anche aiutata in quei momenti bui che ogni tanto ci attraversano nel corso delle nostre vite.
In una recente intervista rilasciata per la presentazione della sua nuova mostra personale Marjo si è detta molto fortunata di poter creare nuovi mondi attraverso il suo viaggio tra sogno e realtà.
Marjo nonostante il successo ottenuto attraverso le sue opere non smette di studiare arte e di perfezionarsi consapevole che la sua voglia di apprendere mai la abbandonerà e questo non solo le è di conforto moralmente ma le riempie la vita di felicità.
Ha partecipato a numerose mostre personali e collettive e attualmente 29 sue opere fino al 24 settembre sono esposte nella mostra “ Quando il mondo sogna di noi “ che si tiene presso la Galleria Tillari a Nivala.
Le sue opere sono visibili e acquistabili attraverso le sue pagine social

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My name is rain
Blue’s song
You’re my high

On the dark side of the Kalevala

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    Arte & cultura,Arte finlandese

    Taru Rouhiainen when art transforms into joy of living

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    With great pleasure today I present to you the Finnish artist Taru Rouhiainen born in Hyvinkää but currently lives  in Vantaa.
    Taru’s is one of those stories that shows us how not only painting, but art in general, can be the best medicine for overcoming difficult times.
    Taru was working as a healthcare worker when a period of  associated with a professional crisis led her to quit her job.
    In 2020, after the crisis, Taru found herself needing something that would allow her not only to stay busy but also to process and express her feelings.
    And so, making a life-changing choice, she enrolled in a painting course and fell in love with art!
    Before discovering painting, she had always appreciated colors and, above all, their effect on our emotions, bringing joy into our homes.
    Taru relies on an intuitive process, beginning with bold colors that then, through her emotions, lead her to complete her work.
    She loves magenta and turquoise colors and metallic paints, but also bright colors that make her happy.
    Experimenting, she began to incorporate contrasting details and multiple layers into her works, adding unique textures to her work.
    To create textures, she uses various materials, including sand, beads, lace, craft materials, and non-slip mats, all bound together with texture-enhancing clay.
    She favors intense textures, capable of making the work more interesting by giving it another dimension that makes the viewer want to touch it.
    Taru paints with the desire to bring joy, energy, and inspiration to the homes where her works will live.
    She likes abstract art for its freedom and the room for interpretation that allows each viewer to give their own interpretation of the work.
    It’s well known that every artist has one or more subjects they consider important, and for Taru, water lilies are the primary subject of her art.
    This is due to their symbolism, which conveys the struggle to emerge from the mud and grow toward the light.
    Water lilies bring hope and convey purity and rebirth in an element like water, which in itself is relaxing, and Taru, just like a water lily, aspires to a better and brighter future after the exhaustion she has suffered.
    Taru began painting five years ago and has been developing her skills by studying art in various courses and completing a two-year art training program at the Hyvinkää Art School.
    She is a member of the Hyvinkää Artists Association and the Helsinki Art Association.
    She has exhibited in numerous galleries, including TheHolyArt in London, the Capital Culture House in Madrid, and the M.A.D.S art gallery in Milan.
    She also edited the cultural publication Art Anthology IV 2021, curated by Guto Ajayu in Madrid.
    She has received two art awards: the Michelangelo Art Prize and the Donatello Art Prize, from the Effetto Arte Foundation in Palermo. Curated by Salvatore and Francesco Russo.
    Taru is definitely an artist to follow because in a world like the current one crossed by a sea of ​​ugliness, her works have the power to convey a great sense of joy and positivity that helps us live life in a more serene way.

    Her  works are on sale through her social media pages or her  website, for contact rouhiainentaru@gmail.com
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    Taru Rouhiainen  quando l’arte si trasforma in gioia di vivere

    Con grande piacere oggi vi presento l’artista finlandese Taru Rouhiainen nata a Hyvinkää ma attualmente residente  a Vantaa.
    Quella di Taru è una di quelle storie che ci fanno capire come non solo la pittura, ma l’arte in generale possono essere la migliore medicina per superare i momenti brutti.
    Taru lavorava come operatore sanitario quando un periodo di esaurimento associato a una crisi professionale l’ha portata a lasciare il lavoro.
    Nel 2020 dopo la crisi Taru si è trovata nella necessità di fare qualcosa che le permettesse non solo di essere impegnata ma anche di elaborare e dar sfogo ai suoi sentimenti.
    E così facendo una scelta che le ha cambiato la vita si è iscritta a un corso di pittura e si è innamorata dell’arte!
    Prima di scoprire la pittura aveva sempre apprezzato i colori e soprattutto il loro effetto sulle nostre emozioni portando gioia nelle case.
    Taru si affida a un processo intuitivo, iniziando ad usare colori audaci che poi attraverso le sue emozioni la portano a completare la sua opera.
    Ama i colori magenta e turchese e le vernici metallizzate, ma anche i colori brillanti che la rendono felice.
    Sperimentando ha iniziato ad inserire nelle sue opere dettagli contrastanti e strati multipli aggiungendo di fatto texture uniche alla sue opere.
    Per creare texture usa vari materiali tra cui sabbia, perline, pizzo, materiale per bricolage,tappetini antiscivolo il tutto legato insieme con pasta modellabile adatta a creare texture
    Predilige le texture intense, capaci di rendere l’opera più interessante conferendole un’altra dimensione che trasmette a chi la osserva la voglia di toccarla.
    Taru dipinge animata dalla voglia di portare gioia, energia e ispirazione nelle case in cui andranno a vivere le sue opere e predilige l’arte astratta per la sua libertà e lo spazio di interpretazione che permette ad ogni spettatore  di dare una propria lettura dell’opera.
    Si sa che ogni artista ha uno o più soggetti che reputa importanti e per Taru le ninfee sono il soggetto principe della sua arte e questo è dovuto al loro simbolismo che trasmette la  lotta per uscire dal fango e crescere verso la luce.
    Le ninfee portano speranza e trasmettono purezza e rinascita in un elemento come l’acqua che di per sé è rilassante, e Taru  proprio come una ninfea aspira a un futuro migliore e più luminoso dopo l’esaurimento che ha patito.
    Sono ormai cinque anni che Taru ha iniziato a dipingere e si è formata studiando arte in vari corsi e completando un biennio di formazione artistica presso la scuola d’arte di Hyvinkää.
    È membro dell’Associazione Artisti di Hyvinkää e dell’Associazione d’arte di Helsinki.
    Ha esposto in numerose gallerie come TheHolyArt di Londra, la Capital Culture House di Madrid e la galleria d’arte M.A.D.S di Milano.
    Ha anche curato la pubblicazione culturale Art Anthology IV 2021, curata da Guto Ajayu a Madrid.
    Ha ricevuto due premi d’arte: Premio d’Arte Michelangelo e il Premio Arte Donatello, della Fondazione Effetto Arte di Palermo, a cura di Salvatore e Francesco Russo.
    Taru é sicuramente un’artista  da seguire perché in un mondo come quello attuale attraversato da una marea di bruttezze le sue opere hanno la forza di trasmettere un grande senso di gioia e positività che aiuta a vivere la vita in un modo più sereno.

    I suoi lavori sono in vendita attraverso le sue pagine social o il suo sito web, per contatti rouhiainentaru@gmail.com
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    Lummelampi – Water lillie pond

    Jälleensyntymä – Rebirth

    Huurteisia kukkia – Frosty flowers
    Liekki sisälläni – Flame within me

    • Helsinki Art Association Annual Exhibition Rhythms Cable Factory Puristamo August 12-31, 2025

    Private Exhibitions

    • Buoni Venti Association Leinikkitie 22C, exhibition In the Colors of Water and Water Lilies November 1-30, 2024
    • Sello Library Showcase, exhibition Colorful Abstract Art with Heart July 28-30, 2024
    • Entresse Espoo Library, exhibition Joy and Vitality from Colors May 27-16, 2024
    • Hyvinkää Library, exhibition Harmony and Movement September 7-24, 2021

    Group Exhibitions

    • Hyvinkää Artists’ Association Promenade Gallery, group exhibition A Day on the Promenade July 10-27, 2025
    • Hyvinkää Artists’ Association Promenadi Gallery, group exhibition Is This a Dream, June 7-26, 2025
    • Exhibition at Zarin Art Gallery Helsinki – A Global Dialogue, March 14-31, 2025, Viikintie 1b, Helsinki, Museum of Technology
    • Jorvi Hospital, Karvasmäentie 8, HTY group exhibition Joy and Inspiration, January 26-22, 2025
    • ArtFrida, Korkeavuorenkatu 25, group exhibition HTY 25×25, January 11-30, 2025
    • 4-kuus Gallery, Helsinki Art Association exhibition On the Wings of the Sun, April 27-May 24, 2024
    • Santana Art Gallery, Madrid, Sun Kingdom exhibition, July 1-10, 2023
    • Willa Gallery, Hyvinkää Art School exhibition, May 20-31, 2023
    • MADS Art Gallery, Brain exhibition Cake in Barcelona, ​​Casa Mila Pedrera, December 28, 2022
    • Rossocinabro Gallery, Rome, Reinventing the Ordinary exhibition, September 12-30, 2022, Residents, January 10-21, 2022, Be Rossocinabro, November 10-30, 2022, Rome Art Week, October 24-29, 2022
    • Willa Gallery, Hyvinkää Art School exhibition, May 20-29, 2022
    • Willa Gallery, Hyvinkää Art Association annual exhibition, August 2-31, 2022
    • MADS Art Gallery, Milan, Fuerteventura, Visceral exhibition, June 28-July 4, 2022
    • MADS Art Gallery, Milan, Fuerteventura, Aldila exhibition, October 22-31, 2021

    Virtual Exhibitions

    • HMVC Gallery, New York, Abstract is abstract May 1-31, 2023
    • TheHolyArt London, Aura February 13-March 13, 2023
    • Capital Culture House, Felicity November 25-December 3, 2022
    • HMVC Gallery New York, Awake September 1-30, 2022 and finalists’ solo exhibition October 17-31, 2022
    • galleryone962, Stopping the War March 15-30, 2022
    • Capital Culture House, Ethereal February 16-February 24, 2022 and Mellifluous March 6-March 15, 2022
    • TheHolyArt London, Transitions February 8-February 15, 2025
    • TheHolyArt London, The Art of Self-Regulation October 29-November 4, 2021

     

     

     

    Arte & cultura,Arte finlandese,fotografia

    Satu Kekäläinen a fairy tale born from ice

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    The Finnish artist I’m introducing to you today is Satu Kekäläinen, she was born in Helsinki, but after living in various places across Finland, she currently lives in Lieto.
    In Finnish, the name Satu means fairy tale, and the one I’m about to tell you begins with… once upon a time, there was a little girl who, at the age of two, became seriously ill with pneumonia, resulting in antibiotic poisoning.
    This little girl was saved from certain death thanks to ice therapy which allowed her temperature to drop to normal values ​​from over 40 degrees to which it had reached.
    Today that little girl is a woman who, despite various vicissitudes, including the loss of her voice ( due to poor air quality at her workplace where she was an audionom ), which she later recovered thanks to contact with nature and the ice, has fulfilled herself artistically by offering wonderful photos taken through the ice on her website Sagastina.
    Ice is a sort of common thread that has accompanied Satu throughout her life, but artistically it all began in 2015 when, needing to find strength and breathe fresh air, she immersed herself in the nature of nearby Lake Littoistenjärvi, and since it was winter, she began photographing with her camera the figures she saw in the lake ice.
    From this first photographic experience was born the photographic book “ Fosforikeiju ” with beautiful images of the lake ice.
    Her passion for photography grew, and with her last salary before leaving her job as an audionom, she bought a new camera with macro functions and  mirror so she could create symmetrical and imaginative images of ice, not only in winter but also in summer, using natural ice stored in the freezer and used among the flowers.
    Satu has always had an artistic streak within her since she was a child and her maternal grandmother encouraged her to cultivate it and so Satu held her first fashion shows of handcrafted clothes having as spectators the cows from her grandmother’s barn.
    She attended the art school for children and teenagers in Turku, studied ceramics, sculpture, drawing and painting in the city boarding schools where her family lived and studied sculpture at the Turku Workers’ School for about 15 years and attended the Mynämäki College of Arts and Crafts Textile Artesaani.
    Her  primary profession remains that of an internal medicine and surgical nurse, audionom  and currently works as a nurse on a rehabilitation assessment team in home care.
    She held numerous solo exhibitions from 2016 to 2023 and took part in a good number of group exhibitions during the same period.
    She published the book “ Fosforikeiju ” in 2017 and the card and therapy package Jään Lumous -Grace of Ice in 2020 ( 44 A6 format photo cards divided into 4 sets of 11 according to the elements of nature: air, fire, water and earth ).
    In December 2016  she won the Invisible Disability Photo Contest of the Turku Committee of Kynnys Ry.
    You can see her works on her social media pages and website, while to purchase her ice pictures you can contact her at her email address satusagastina@gmail.com

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    Satu Kekäläinen una fiaba nata dal ghiaccio

    L’artista finlandese che vi presento oggi si chiama Satu Kekäläinen, nata a Helsinki ma dopo aver vissuto in diverse località della Finlandia attualmente vive a Lieto.
    In finlandese il nome Satu vuol dire fiaba e quella che sto per raccontarvi inizia con… c’era una volta una bambina che all’età di due anni si ammalò gravemente di polmonite con una conseguente intossicazione da antibiotici.
    Questa bambina fu salvata da morte sicura grazie ad una terapia a base di ghiaccio che consentì di far scendere la temperatura a valori normali dagli oltre 40 gradi a cui era arrivata.
    Oggi quella bambina è una donna, che pur attraverso varie peripezie tra cui la perdita della voce ( per una scarsa qualità dell’aria nel luogo di lavoro dove era tecnico audionomo ) poi recuperata grazie al contatto con la natura e con il ghiaccio, si è realizzata artisticamente proponendo attraverso il suo sito web Sagastina delle meravigliose foto scattate attraverso il ghiaccio.
    Il ghiaccio è una sorta di fil rouge che ha accompagnato Satu nel corso della sua vita, ma artisticamente tutto è iniziato nel 2015 quando dovendo trovare forza e respirare aria fresca si è immersa nella natura del vicino lago Littoistenjärvi dove essendo inverno ha iniziato a fotografare con la sua macchina fotografica le figure che vedeva nel ghiaccio del lago.
    Da questa prima esperienza fotografica è nato il libro fotografico “ Fosforikeiju “ con bellissime immagini del ghiaccio del lago.
    La passione per la fotografia aumentò e con il suo ultimo stipendio prima di lasciare il lavoro di audionomo si comprò una nuova macchina fotografica con funzioni macro e specchio in modo da poter creare immagini simmetriche e fantasiose del ghiaccio, non solo in inverno ma anche in estate grazie al ghiaccio naturale conservato nel congelatore e utilizzato tra i fiori.
    Satu ha sempre avuto fin da bambina dentro di sé una vena artistica e la sua nonna materna la incoraggiava a coltivarlo e così Satu  fece le sue prime sfilate di abiti artigianali avendo come spettatrici le mucche della stalla di nonna.
    Ha frequentato la scuola d’arte per bambini e ragazzi a Turku, ha studiato ceramica, scultura, disegno e pittura nei collegi cittadini dove risiedeva la famiglia e ha studiato scultura presso l’istituto scolastico operaio di Turku per circa 15 anni e frequentato il Mynämäki College of Arts and Crafts Textile Artesaani.
    La sua professione principale rimane quella di infermiere di medicina interna e chirurgia, audionomo e attualmente lavora come infermiere in un team di valutazione riabilitativa in assistenza domiciliare.
    Ha tenuto moltissime mostre personali dal 2016 al 2023 e ha preso parte a un buon numero di mostre collettive sempre nello stesso periodo.
    Ha pubblicato il libro “ Fosforikeiju ” nel 2017 e il pacchetto di carte e terapia Jään Lumous – Grace of Ice  nel 2020 ( 44 carte fotografiche formato A6 divise in 4 serie da 11 secondo gli elementi della natura: aria,fuoco,acqua e terra )
    Nel dicembre del 2016 ha vinto il Concorso fotografico sulla disabilità invisibile del Comitato di Turku di Kynnys Ry
    Le sue opere le potete vedere sulle sue pagine social e sul sito web, mentre per acquistare le sue fotografie di ghiaccio potete contattarla al suo indirizzo mail satusagastina@gmail.com

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    Kukkaketo – Prato fiorito – Flower meadow
    Valon pisaroita – Gocce di luce – Drops of light
    Balleriina

    Kyyneleet – Tears – Lacrime
    Leijonakuningas – The Lion King – Il Re Leone
    Lohis – Salmon – Salmone
    Jääkupla – Ice Bubble – Bolla di ghiaccio
    Vasikka – Calf – Vitello
    Keiju – Elf – Elfo
    Keijutaikaa – Fairy magic – Magia delle fate
    Kevät keijut – Spring faires – Fate di primavera
    Keväthattu – Spring hat – Cappello primaverile
    Lupaus – Promise – Promessa
    Shamaani – Sciamano
    Soturi – Warrior – Guerriero
    Sukeltaja – Diver – Subacqueo
    Yhteys – Contact – Contatto

    Valokuusi – Photo tree – Albero fotografico
    Kirkkaus – Brightness – Luminosità
    Veden sielu – Soul of water – Anima dell’acqua
    Jää maailma – Ice world – Mondo di ghiaccio
    Viljapelto – Wheat field – Campo di grano
    Luola – Cave – Grotta
    Keltainen maa – Yellow earth – Terra gialla
    Kultaiset pisarat – Golden drops – Gocce d’oro
    Parantava – Curative – Curativo
    Salainen – Secret – Segreto
    Unimaa – Dreamland – Paese dei sogni

    The exhibitions where she participated

     Yksityisnäyttelyt – Private exhibitions – Mostre personali
    -Liedon kunnantalo Lieto 2.8 -30.8.2016
    -Littoisten työväentalo Lieto 11.9.2016
    -Kahvila-ravintola Liedon Härkätie 3.10-31.10.2016
    -Turun seudun Hengitysyhdistys Turku 1.11 -7.12.2016
    -Valokuvakeskus Peri Forum kortteli Turku 1.3-31.3.2019
    -Uusitalon tila Lieto 19.4.2019
    -Ravintola Prego Kaarina 10.5-16.6.2019
    -Oma Säästöpankki Turku 15.8.2019-26.8.2019
    -ArteMiina Loimaa 1.10-30.12.2019
    -Oripään kirjasto Oripää 2.12-30.12.2019
    -Mökki Galleria Kaarina 2.2-28.2.2020
    -Galleria Outolintu Turku 1.3.20- koronakeskeytys
    -Lehmusvalkaman hyvinvointikeskus Turku 4.11-30.11.2020
    -B-Galleria Turku 16.2-7.3.2021
    -Galleria Outolintu Turku 3.6-29.6.2022
    -Liedon kaupungintalo Lieto 2.11-30.11.2022
    -Avartuva ihmiskuva ry Helsinki 1.4- 30.6.2023

     Yhteisnäyttelyt – Group exhibitions – Mostre collettive
    -Vuoden luontokuvatapahtuma Logomo Turku 22.10.2016
    – Rymättylän kirjasto 28.3 -11.5.2018 näyttely Ritva Inkeri Aaltosen kanssa
    -Mökki Galleria Kaarina 3.11 – 29.11.2019 Imaginary Birds yhteisnäyttely
    -B-Galleria Turku 12.3.2020-koronakeskeytys näyttely Mari Oikarisen kanssa
    -Galleria Aina nettigalleria 10.5-19.6.2020
    -Yhteisnäyttely Kuusiston Taidekartano Kaarina 7.6.-2.8.2020 Metsän Väkeä yhteisnäyttely
    -Yhteisnäyttely Maan ääni, Galleria Alkuvoima Turku 14.1-10.2.2021

    The book “ Fosforikeiju ”

    The card and therapy package Jään Lumous -Grace of Ice

     

     

    44 A6 format photo cards divided into 4 sets of 11 according to the elements of nature: air, fire, water and earth

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Arte & cultura,Arte finlandese

    Paula Mikkilä from Finland, between past and present, a journey into art with a capital A

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    With great pleasure today I introduce you to the Finnish artist Paula Mikkilä born in Karvia, a hidden pearl of Finland surrounded by the wonderful rural landscapes of the Karvianjoki river, but resident in Tampere for over twenty years.
    She graduated from the Department of Teacher Education at the University of Jyväskylä as a teacher specializing in fine arts and has dedicated a good part of her life to teaching as an elementary school teacher sharing much of her creative moments with children and teenagers.
    During the summer holidays she attended art camps in Finland and abroad.
    In the 80s she created a considerable quantity of oil paintings, then after her move to Tampere she devoted herself to bronze sculpture and for almost twenty years in the evenings after her school work she went to the foundry.
    Bronze casting involves several stages, allowing for the production of a limited number of sculptures per year.
    Working with bronze is not easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding, like the material itself, which, once transformed into a work of art, can convey incredible emotions.
    Paula draws inspiration for her works from her surroundings: home, nature, animals, and people, who, once part of her creative process, tell stories and fairy tales that take on an imaginative life of their own.
    For everyone, but even more so for an artist, time flies and perhaps unconsciously this is why Paula has given wings to many of her bronze figures.
    After the foundry closed, the bronze works were replaced by ceramics and acrylic painting.
    She has served as secretary and president in association activities related to the art world and is a member of Tampere Artist’s Association and  Jyväskylä Artists’ Association which are associations of professional artists.
    Paula has been dedicating herself full time to her artistic activity for over ten years now, even though she began participating in exhibitions in Finland in the 1990s and continues to do so today, having recorded significant participations in group exhibitions in Finland and abroad (including Brazil) over the years, where she has obtained important awards, including the  Velázquez & Goya International Prize in Barcelona in the autumn of 2024 and the Leonardo da Vinci Prize in Milan in the spring of 2025.
    She has traveled extensively to promote her art and she recalls her exhibition trips to Japan, Osaka, Rome and Venice as memorable, as well as her two summer artistic residencies in Matera, the city of stones in Italy.
    Recently he has combined old photographs with his sculptures, a sort of connection between past and present where glass and bronze blend perfectly, giving greater lightness even to the heaviest sculptures thanks to a perforated surface.

    Her  works are on sale through her social media pages or her  website

    Paula Mikkilä  website
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    Paula Mikkilä dalla Finlandia, tra passato e presente, un viaggio nell’arte con la A maiuscola

    Con grande piacere oggi vi presento l’artista finlandese Paula Mikkilä nata a Karvia una perla nascosta della Finlandia circondata dai meravigliosi paesaggi rurali del fiume Karvianjoki, ma da oltre venti anni residente a Tampere.
    Si è laureata presso il Dipartimento di Formazione Magistrale dell’Università di Jyväskylä come insegnante specializzato in belle arti e ha dedicato buona parte della sua vita all’insegnamento come insegnante di scuola elementare condividendo gran parte dei suoi momenti creativi con bambini e adolescenti.
    Durante le vacanze estive ha frequentato campi d’arte in Finlandia e all’estero.
    Negli anni ’80 ha realizzato una notevole quantità di dipinti a olio, poi da dopo il suo trasferimento a Tampere si è dedicata alla scultura in bronzo e per quasi un ventennio la sera dopo il lavoro a scuola è andata in fonderia.
    La fusione del bronzo prevede diverse fasi, per cui è possibile produrre un numero limitato di sculture per anno; lavorare il bronzo non è semplice ma molto gratificante come il materiale stesso che una volta diventato opera sa trasmettere emozioni incredibili.
    Paula per le sue opere trae ispirazione da ciò che la circonda: casa, natura, animali e persone che una volta entrate a far parte del suo processo creativo raccontano di storie e fiabe che assumono una vita propria e fantasiosa.
    Per tutti, ma ancor di più per un artista il tempo vola e forse inconsciamente è per questo che Paula ha dotato di ali molte delle sue figure in bronzo.
    Dopo la chiusura della fonderia, le opere in bronzo sono state sostituite dalla ceramica e dalla pittura acrilica.
    Ha ricoperto il ruolo di segretario e presidente in attività associative legate al mondo dell’arte e fa parte dell’Associazione degli Artisti di Tampere e dell’Associazione degli Artisti di Jyväskylä che sono  entrambe associazioni di artisti professionisti.
    Ormai sono oltre dieci anni che Paula si dedica a tempo pieno alla sua attività artistica anche se ha iniziato a partecipare alle mostre espositive in Finlandia negli anni’90 e continua ancora oggi facendo registrare nel corso di tutti questi anni significative partecipazioni a mostre collettive in Finlandia e all’estero ( tra cui il Brasile ) dove ha ottenuto importanti riconoscimenti tra cui vanno segnalati il Premio Internazionale Velázquez & Goya a Barcellona nell’autunno del 2024 e nella primavera del 2025 il Premio Leonardo da Vinci a Milano.
    Ha viaggiato molto per far conoscere la sua arte e lei ricorda come memorabili i suoi viaggi espositivi in Giappone, Osaka, Roma e Venezia, così come le sue due residenze artistiche estive a Matera, la città dei sassi in Italia.
    Recentemente ha unito vecchie fotografie alle sue sculture, una sorta di collegamento tra passato e presente dove vetro e bronzo si sposano perfettamente dando grazie a una superficie traforata più leggerezza anche alle sculture più pesanti.

    Le sue opere sono in vendita tramite le sue pagine social o il suo sito web

    Paula Mikkilä  website
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    Paula Mikkilä Suomesta, menneisyyden ja nykyisyyden rajalla, matka taiteeseen isolla alkukirjaimella

    Suurella ilolla esittelen teille suomalaisen taiteilijan Paula Mikkilä, joka on syntynyt Karvialla, Suomen piilotetussa helmessä Karvianjoen upeiden maaseutumaisemien ympäröimänä, mutta joka on asunut Tampereella yli kaksikymmentä vuotta.
    Hän valmistui Jyväskylän yliopiston opettajankoulutuslaitokselta kuvataideopettajaksi ja on omistanut suuren osan elämästään opettamiseen alakoulun opettajana, jakaen suuren osan luovista hetkistään lasten ja nuorten kanssa.
    Kesälomien aikana hän osallistui taideleireille Suomessa ja ulkomailla.
    1980-luvulla hän maalasi huomattavan määrän öljymaalauksia, sitten muutettuaan Tampereelle hän omistautui pronssiveistoksille ja lähes kahdenkymmenen vuoden ajan hän kävi iltaisin koulun jälkeen valimossa.
    Pronssin valamisprosessissa on useita vaiheita, minkä ansiosta vuodessa voidaan valmistaa rajoitettu määrä veistoksia.
    Pronssin kanssa työskentely ei ole helppoa, mutta se on uskomattoman palkitsevaa, aivan kuten itse materiaalikin, joka taideteokseksi muuttuessaan voi välittää uskomattomia tunteita.
    Paula ammentaa inspiraatiota teoksiinsa ympäristöstään: kodista, luonnosta, eläimistä ja ihmisistä, jotka tultuaan osaksi hänen luovaa prosessiaan kertovat tarinoita ja satuja, jotka alkavat elää omaa elämäänsä.
    Kaikille, mutta vielä enemmän taiteilijalle, aika lentää, ja kenties tiedostamattaan juuri siksi Paula on antanut monille pronssiveistoksilleen siivet.
    Valimon sulkemisen jälkeen pronssityöt korvattiin keramiikalla ja akryylimaalauksella.
    Hän on toiminut sihteerinä ja puheenjohtajana taidemaailmaan liittyvässä yhdistystoiminnassa ja on jäsenenä Tampereen Taiteilijaseurassa ja Jyväskylän Taiteilijaseurassa, jotka molemmat ovat ammattitaiteilijoiden yhdistyksiä.
    Paula on omistautunut kokopäiväisesti taiteelliselle toiminnalleen jo yli kymmenen vuoden ajan, vaikka hän aloitti näyttelyihin osallistumisen Suomessa 1990-luvulla ja jatkaa sitä edelleen.
    Hän on osallistunut merkittävästi ryhmänäyttelyihin Suomessa ja ulkomailla (mukaan lukien Brasilia), joissa hän on saanut merkittäviä palkintoja, kuten Velázquez & Goya International Prize -palkinnon Barcelonassa syksyllä 2024 ja Leonardo da Vinci -palkinnon Milanossa keväällä 2025.
    Hän on matkustanut paljon taidettaan mainostaakseen, ja hän muistelee mieleenpainuvia näyttelymatkoja Japaniin, Osakaan, Roomaan ja Venetsiaan sekä kahta kesäresidenssiä Materassa, Italian kivien kaupungissa.
    Viime aikoina hän on yhdistänyt vanhoja valokuvia veistoksiinsa, mikä luo yhteyden menneisyyden ja nykyisyyden välille, jossa lasi ja pronssi sulautuvat täydellisesti yhteen ja antavat rei’itetyn pinnan ansiosta kevyemmän ilmeen jopa painavimmille veistoksille.

    Hänen teoksiaan voi ostaa hänen sosiaalisen median sivuillaan tai verkkosivuillaan.

    Paula Mikkilä – sculpture Fly my horse

    Paula Mikkilä – Six installation

    Paula Mikkilä – Village on the mountain

    Sculptures

    Ceramics

    Paintings

    Installations

    Memories of Art exhibitions

     

    Arte & cultura,Arte finlandese

    Martina Uthardt from Finland send a hymn to the joy of living

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    With great pleasure today I introduce you to the Finnish artist Martina Uthardt, born in Malax, where she currently lives in this big village and welcoming of about 5000 inhabitants in Southern Ostrobothnia, where Swedish is spoken rather than Finnish (about 6% of Finns speak Swedish).
    As a child, she followed her parents, who were development workers, to an agricultural school in Papua New Guinea, before returning to her beloved Finland.
    After a 10-year stint running a photography agency specializing in portraits, Martina has dedicated herself fully to painting professionally since 2021.
    Her experience as a photographer has undoubtedly given her a foundation in color and composition that has greatly benefited her as a painter.
    She has experimented with various techniques but currently prefers acrylic painting with its possibilities for layering and variations that make each painting alive and unique in different lights.
    Her passion for painting began at a young age, and her grandmother, appreciating her innate artistic talent, gave her her first watercolors. From then on, an incredible world opened up for Martina, where day after day she drew inspiration from her surroundings to share experiences and feelings of joy, peace, and comfort with others through her paintings.
    It must be said that Martina was helped on this journey by being fortunate enough to live in a region of Finland that can be described in three words: nature, freedom, space.
    When I first saw Martina’s paintings, I was struck by how this artist was able to perfectly represent the Finland I love so much.
    Closing my eyes after admiring many of her abstract landscapes, which are not so abstract after all, I saw again, as if in a dream, those places I love so much, characterized by those vibrant changes in nature that are fully reflected in her works and which are the cornerstones of Nordic beauty.
    Her works transcend mere artistic expression to become a form of meditation in which creativity is aimed at transmitting positive emotions, comfort and the invitation to fully appreciate the small joys that life gives us every day.
    Her  landscapes, where broad and sinuous brush strokes tell us about gusts of wind on a field or the speed of water in a river, alternate with dream gardens featuring flowers portrayed with soft shades of pink, blue and lavender, but in both themes each painting seems to be an invitation to contemplation and therefore time seems to slow down.
    Martina also has the gift of a flowing creativity, which allows her to paint daily, a fact that allows her to offer lovers of her works  a truly enviable portfolio, in terms of works available for purchase.
    She has achieved truly significant sales figures in the United States where she is represented by the “Insel Island Gallery” but above all in Finland and the Nordic countries where her art is highly appreciated.
    She has held numerous solo exhibitions in Finland and participated in several exhibitions organized by the gallery that represents her in Venice Beach, Los Angeles, and at the Google Campus in California.
    Also noteworthy are the thematic exhibitions such as : “FLOW”, “HOPE”, “BLUE”, ”BLOSSOM”, “LIFE” e “INSPIRE”.
    Martina has certainly made herself so appreciated on the contemporary art scene that her works have been included in three notable art books: Nordic Art Guide 2021, European Art Guide 2022, World Art Guide 2022, and in the splendid art book ART IDEAL volume 4, published by La Circle Foundation where 86 internationally renowned artists from all over the world showcase their unique way of painting.
    Martina embraces the joy that shines through her work as she supports various charitable causes through her work, including Nordic Wildlife Care (in 2021) and Street Children in Nepal (in 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024).

    Her works are available for sale through her social media pages or her website.

    Martina Uthardt  website
    Instagram – Instagram
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    Martina Uthardt dalla Finlandia manda un inno alla gioia di vivere

    Con grande piacere oggi vi presento l’artista finlandese Martina Uthardt, nata a Malax, dove attualmente vive in questo grande e accogliente villaggio di circa 5000 abitanti nella Ostrobotnia meridionale, dove si parla lo svedese anziché il finlandese ( sono circa il 6% i finlandesi di lingua svedese )
    Da piccola ha seguito i suoi genitori che erano operatori dello sviluppo in una scuola agricola in Papua Nuova Guinea, per poi ritornare nella sua amata Finlandia
    Dopo una parentesi durata circa 10 anni in cui ha gestito un’agenzia fotografica specializzata in ritratti, Martina dal 2021 si è dedicata totalmente alla pittura in modo professionale.
    Sicuramente la sua esperienza come fotografa le ha lasciato un background sui colori e sulla composizione che l’ha aiutata non poco come pittrice.
    Ha sperimentato varie tecniche ma attualmente predilige la pittura acrilica con le sue possibilità di strati e variazioni che rendono ogni dipinto vivo e unico sotto diverse luci.
    La sua passione per la pittura è nata da piccola e la nonna apprezzando questa sua innata predisposizione all’arte le ha regalato i primi acquerelli e da lì in avanti per Martina si è aperto un mondo incredibile in cui giorno dopo giorno ha tratto ispirazione da ciò che la circondava per consegnare agli altri attraverso i suoi dipinti esperienze e sentimenti come gioia, pace e conforto.
    Bisogna dire che Martina in questo viaggio è stata aiutata dall’avere la fortuna di vivere in una regione della Finlandia che per descriverla nella sua interezza bastano tre parole: natura, libertà, spazi.
    Quando ho visto per la prima volta i dipinti di Martina sono rimasto colpito da come questa artista abbia saputo rappresentare al meglio quella Finlandia che io amo alla follia e chiudendo gli occhi dopo aver ammirato molti dei suo paesaggi astratti che non sono poi così tanto astratti ho rivisto come in un sogno quei luoghi che tanto amo caratterizzati da quei vibranti cambiamenti della natura che si ritrovano appieno nelle sue opere e che sono i capisaldi della bellezza nordica.
    Le sue opere trascendono la mera espressione artistica per diventare una forma di meditazione in cui la creatività è volta a trasmettere emozioni positive, conforto e l’invito ad apprezzare appieno le piccole gioie che la vita quotidianamente ci regala.
    I suoi paesaggi dove pennellate ampie e sinuose ci raccontano delle folate di vento su di un campo o della velocità dell’acqua in un fiume, si alternano a dei giardini dei sogni in cui trovano posto fiori ritratti con tonalità tenui di rosa, blu e lavanda, ma in entrambe le tematiche ogni dipinto sembra essere un invito alla contemplazione e quindi il tempo sembra rallentare
    Martina ha inoltre il dono di avere una fluente creatività, che le consente di dipingere giornalmente, fatto questo che le permette di offrire agli amanti delle sue opere un portfolio davvero invidiabile, in termini di opere disponibili per essere acquistate.
    Ha raggiunto numeri davvero significati in fatto di vendite negli Stati Uniti dove è rappresentata dalla “Insel Island Gallery “ ma soprattutto in Finlandia e nei paesi nordici dove la sua arte è molto apprezzata.
    Ha tenuto numerose mostre personali in Finlandia e ha partecipato a diverse mostre organizzate dalla Galleria che la rappresenta a Venice Beach,Los Angeles e al Google Campus in California.
    Da segnalare poi le mostre tematiche come: “FLOW”, “HOPE”, “BLUE”, ”BLOSSOM”, “LIFE” e “INSPIRE”.
    Certamente Martina si è fatta apprezzare sulla scena artistica contemporanea a tal punto da essere inserita con le sue opere  in tre libri d’arte di notevole importanza: Nordic Art Guide 2021, European Art Guide 2022, World Art Guide 2022, e nello splendido libro d’arte ART IDEAL volume 4, pubblicato da La Circle Foundation dove  86 artisti di fama internazionale provenienti da tutto il mondo mostrano il loro modo unico di dipingere.
    La gioia che traspare dalle sue opere, Martina la fa sua nel momento in cui grazie alle sue opere si impegna a sostenere diverse cause benefiche quali  Nordic Wildlife Care  ( nel 2021) e Street Children in Nepal ( nel 2020,2022,2023,2024 )
    Le sue opere sono in vendita tramite le sue pagine social o il suo sito web

    Martina Uthardt  website
    Instagram – Instagram
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    Martina Uthardt – Love life

    Martina Uthardt – onde baciate dalla brezza

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