Spring evening on the shore of River Vuoksi, Finland

This is an old picture, made some 20 years ago in Imatra, where I lived on those days. It shows a view to River Vuoksi which is running towards the power plant of Imatrankoski (the greatest water-driven power plant in Finland). The light blue sky refers to the light evenings of Finnish spring. - Technique: PC with drawing program "Paint".

My new "selfie" with my brand new linen shirt!

This is my "selfie" which presents my brand new, Carelian-style linen shirt, made by my friend Mariina! I like it very much because it is both beautiful and easy to wear. - The portrait of my wife was painted by me with acryl colours, and it is based on a photograph taken on Norwegian mountain, beneath the summer cottage by our friends Liisa and Peer.

Merry Christmas, my wife!

I have worked hard during the last autumn period of our art school in Säynätsalo, Finland, to finish my Christmas present to my wife. Here is the final outcome, presented by her - as a shy person, she would like to show only her hands, not her face. Our friends say that certain similarity between her portrait in this painting (based on an B&W photo from Switzerland,1966) and her current status exists, however. This work was hang on the wall of our corridor, without any frames. I think that it is good enough without them.

Rapid drawing with calligraphy felt-tip pens

These two modest drawings, among other similar pieces of art, were done when sitting in a small town on the island of Karpathos, Greece, several years ago. Three widths of pens were available - 1 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm. I recommend these tools when rapid drawings should be done during a holiday (or even business) trip!

WW is an excellent site for exhibitions!

"Wanha Woimala" (= old power plant) has been - and will also be in future, I hope - an excellent site for the annual KOPRU exhibitions: a most peaceful, historical building in the middle of the stream - never too warm, how high the temperature outside may be. The views towards the river through the high windows are great, too!

- More photos from 2013 exhibition soon...

Pictures from the KOPRU Night Exhibition 2013

The annual exhibition of the art society KOPRU took place in Vaajakoski, Central Finland, 6.-23.8.2013, in Wanha Woimala (= old power plant) which is an excellent site to present our works - a peaceful and cool building in the middle of the stream. This year's exhibition therefore carried the name "Woimaa Wirrasta" (="Power from the Stream").

These first photos were taken during the weekend festival "Kosken Kohinat" (= rushes of the rapid), referring to the previous waterfall, situated just beneath the power plant.

There is an interesting piece of art in the photo below: the mosaic pot on the shelf was made by my wife - her first presentation in KOPRU exhibition!

- More photos in this blog very soon...

Learning to paint with oil colours

After starting oil painting during last winter's art school season I have found this technique very interesting. I am familiar with ink and colour pen drawing as well as acrylic colours but, for some reason, regarded oil colours too difficult for me. But now I know that they are not - and the wide variety of shades which are the results of mixing only five basic colours is very challenging!

An equipment to hold the canvas in vertical position is needed when working with oil colours. Drawing horizontally, on the kitchen table, is easy - but to see the whole oil painting canvas with one look and not to drop any colours from the brushes on finished areas is not possible without an easel. I borrowed one to continue working home during summertime. I recommend relatively large model because it is more stable than smaller ones.