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Very often I want my still life to tell a story with a touch of
romance or adventure.
The starting point, the springs of inspiration, can be a book, a
film or a person. In the classic painting the composition is very
traditional and obeys the laws of the golden section. Everyone is
welcome to pick up the details on his own and to identify himself
with the enchanting story of the still life. |
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Painting still lifes in our time and age is fascinating. The symbolism
of objects, things, fruits and flowers still works, as the knowledge
of symbols is an inclination bred in the bone. We can all read their
sign language.
Introducing today's objects in a still life creates a contrast,
a tension, and a kind of band between the generations. The world
of signs is exotic, historical with a little piece of our own age:
Modern man's life in the long run of time.
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It is said that the still life is but a moment's standstill. I
want to break the idea of Still Leben and throw the objects and
things on to the canvas in a boisterous up-rise. My objects start
to dance in a condition of weightlessness and things are going up
to the unknown with the wind.
Music is an important element both in the working process and as
instruments in the paintings. Music is a great source of inspiration;
it does not matter what kind of music it is, what matters is the
soulfulness, up-rise and rhythm. |
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Life is rich. It provides us with great possibilities. Yet we yearn
to have more, to surround us with plenty. The exuberance of fruits
reminds us of life's delights and enjoyments that are ours providing
we have the courage to throw ourselves into them. The Forest of
Flowers and the Shoe Heaven invite us to adventure, to adults' dream-like
moments in the world of fairy tales. |
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As human beings we women are mysteries, not only to men, but also
to ourselves. What does a woman want, long for and love? What does
the exploration of womanhood reveal? What is the scent of woman?
What is the essence of womanhood?
A sprinkling of lightness, happiness and mystery. A dose of love,
adventure and myth. A touch of temperament, fire and profundity.
In these paintings the Woman is always the Woman. |
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Flowers are an ancient way of telling stories. They have always
had their own strong symbolism characteristic of the country and
its people.
Meadow flowers have always had a place in Finns' hearts; the summer
is short, but full of ardent rhythms and memories. The calla is
modern people's universal trend flower. Its sculptural nature resembles
the human body and kindles the imagination.
The flowers have their own character and for good reason people
say that the flowers can talk. |
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Very early these little soft toys took the people's roles in my
paintings. They grew into personalities, different kinds of people.
They love appearing on different occasions, posing and playing.
The teddy bears come from different walks of life; they are opera
stars, film heroes, artists or sportsmen. The teddy bears are humorous,
human comrades-in-sleep. |
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To be commissioned to plan and paint a work is one of the highlights
in the artist's life. The commission always makes the blood rush
in my brain. There are discussions, sketching, social meetings and
positive energizing stress to succeed. I always receive a commission
with joy mixed with suspense and horror: Can I cope with the task?
Will my work satisfy the commissioner? Is the timetable flexible
enough?
Working with companies is very rewarding and very challenging. It
may take up to two years before the project is completed. Many meetings
must be held, I study the company history and its basic ideas and
the whole branch it represents. So I get a picture on the basis
of which I can start sketching. Of the first sketches I pick up
two or three which I then work on, making new versions so that finally
there will be up to four sketches with different grades of delicacy.
They will all be put in front of the managing board to be accepted.
Little by little the project goes on and the final version is accepted
and completed. I am in the habit of providing the commissioner with
a story about the work and an explanation of its symbol world: they
will open the work for the spectator in a new way.
When a big project is a success and the artist is praised, the feeling
is different from the one at the opening of one's own exhibition.
The demands of the counterpart and the different starting points
set the goal very high and so the success also brings high-spirited
pleasure. At the exhibitions, even if you have done your best and
planned a coherent unity, you have painted for your own eyes without
the demands from the outside and it is only after the completion
of the paintings that the feedback comes from the spectators.
To make works on order for private people is a different story.
It is challenging, as you move in another person's nearest and dearest
surroundings, his home. It calls for a respectful attitude to the
inhabitants and an ear for listening to them and an interest in
their opinions. In general we discuss the family, their life and
their hobbies and the important elements of the home, its colors
and atmosphere. Even if the painting is desired to suit the home
interior, it may include things that remind of the family and its
life. Sometimes something well known is depicted: a valuable inherited
object, something reminding of the common hobby, favorite flowers.
I often make alternative sketches from which to choose. The moment
of turning over is always exciting, when the painting is put on
its place, nothing can be more rewarding than to hear the words:
It is just made for this place! |
