Hei!
I may have only visited a short time but it didn't take long for Finland to quietly make a big impact on me. It's possibly the deepest connection I've felt with nature, surrounded as I was by a sea of pine trees, greeted by reindeer each day and delighted by the touches of autumn on the forest floor. The people were a delight (a great sense of humour) and the food blew me away! I cannot wait to return one day.
Your face is slightly red from the cold air but your body is warm in your large winter raincoat. Misty air dampens every breath you take, your feet are slightly sore and your heart rate is certainly elevated but your soul is soaring.
Looking around you from the clearing you stand on you are surrounded by pine trees, seriously they go on for as far as the eye can see, peeping in and out of the low-lying cloud.
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This artwork is inspired by my hike through the northern Finnish forest. In choosing a name I wanted something that truly represented the energy of this moment, standing among the vast, silent nature. This Finnish word means to walk in a forest with no purpose, to simply enjoy nature, slow down and reconnect with oneself.
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That's exactly what I did on this hike. I was entirely present in the moment, so much so that looking back on photos and now this artwork I can feel the same feelings and emotions I held all those months ago standing on that mountain.
Acrylic on Canvas
61cm x 91.5cm
$1,080
Nearly every day in Finland was a constant drizzle, grey skies and the occasional peeking sun. I actually found it quite relaxing.
Every day was a new activity; visiting a nearby museum and culture centre, summer sledding with dogs and feeding reindeer (that greeted me every morning!)
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By the time my final night arrived and we set off to chase an aurora or two, I was completely content if we didn't see them. Ironic when I had planned my whole trip around this chance and in that moment I didn't need to see them.
We set up near a lake, our guide started a fire (which if you know me you know I love a good wood fire) and we used the 90% clear skies to marvel at the stars.
That night I saw the aurora borealis, faint as it might have been to the naked eye I saw it nonetheless!! I didn't care that they weren't strong and vibrant, the camera showed me more than I could have hoped to see that night.
See it truly was the 'cherry on top'.
Watercolour on handmade paper
35cm x 20cm
$165