Hi!
I'm Nina, an illustrator, author of children's books and artist living my creative dream by the sea, next to the Moomins in Naantali, Finland. I sell my paintings for homes, I illustrate picture books, magazines and books and license greeting cards. My latest creative crush is surface pattern design for fabric and licensing.
My work is quirky, colourful and textured. It is often dreamy, soft and warm and my main focus is conveying strong emotion. I paint to bring hope and joy to myself and others. A lot of my latest personal work is about walking my sweet dog by the sea, and the magic in everyday moments as we get to know our new surroundings. I have a thing for tree branches, speckles of light even in the darkness, and the sea.
One of the most meaningful projects for me has been painting a series of paintings for the Mother and Child Homes and Shelters in Finland, where my art will be used as a part of children's art therapy in situations where they have had to face violent situations.
I have written, co-written and illustrated several picture books. Two of these books have been made into puppet theatre shows touring around Finland and abroad, by the lovely Puppet Theatre Ofelia. The book Ruby Heart has also been published as translations in India and Abu Dhabi.
The first 15 paintings in the series Safe places to rest in, going to the Mother and Child Homes and Shelters for children's art therapy. I have the cutest little poodle assistant, she eagerly participates in everything I do, as you can see.
I am always learning new things and evolving my art, studying in workshops and painting courses to keep my skills fresh. I am a graduate from the Lilla Rogers Studio Hot Markets for Your Art A and B (2019).
Painting pictures has been a wonderful exciting path bringing some of the best people my way and taking me to the most wonderful surprising places.
Selected international group exhibitions:
It's Always Tea-Time 2015-2021 touring in Berlin, Copenhagen, Budapest, Oxford and Gdansk.
Tallinn Illustration Triennial 2013 Tallinn Estonia,
Bratislava Illustration Biennial 2011 Bratislava Slovachia,
Draw Local, Think European 2007 Acapulco Mexico and Beijing China
Visual Artist of the Year in Sippolan Hovi 2009,
Young Visual Artist of the Year / Finnish Cultural Foundation 2006,
Cultural Act of the Year 2001, for the book Pieni Maahiskirja, about the Sami Earth Spirits / Communications Union
Selected client list:
VIOLA - Free from Violence, The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters, Lasten Keskus Publishing, Kirjapaja Publishing, Sanoma Pro Publishing, WSOY Pro Publishing, Kustannus-Puntsi Publishing, TAITO Craft Magazine, Cloetta Fazer, Church in Helsinki, Lasten Kirkko Magazine, Hyvä Terveys Magazine, KUULAS International Theatre Festival, Iitti Music Festival, Svenska Teatern (The Swedish Theatre), TAKU ry Facultyorganization for art and culture.