I'm a native Finn. My interest in art goes back as far as I can remember, and I loved to draw even before that. I used to visit Emil Cedercreutz Museum often. It was in my neighborhood in Harjavalta, on the other side of a big river, Kokemaenjoki. The art collection, sculptures, old folkart, textiles, artist's home interior and souvenirs from different continents thrilled me.
I had three important teachers: Aimo Muotinen in junior high, a good teacher and a painter himself, who strongly encouraged me. I knew his palette years before going to school. Then I had very important and strong support from Anja Karkku-Hohti. She helped me organize my colours and my spirit. Helen Gaudin while living in the United States, in Washington D.C., opened my eyes to realize that discipline and hard work are key elements in an artist's life.
In choosing colours for a painting, I depend heavily on my mathematical approach to my palette to search the needed emotion and feeling. My ideas often emerge in response to materials and elements of chance. I enjoy investigating form, exploring the many possibilities of visual art. My interest in white has been found in my works since I returned from Australia 1984. It has given new demensions to my oils, acrylics, watercolours and pen and ink paintings.
I receive my energy from the nature. The nordic light and air are powerful, everyday elements which are the catalysts in my life. Painting is a media to share friendship and peace, it deals with illusion and magic.
