Nice of you to drop by and see my work.
I paint works that, in one way or another, touch people. When I started painting actively sometime in 2023, I knew next to nothing about techniques, colour theory, paints or tools. But I did know one thing: oil paints are my thing.
Now, a few years later, the techniques and everything else about painting are starting to feel familiar. These days the fun of painting lies in playing with different techniques and seeing what surprising and amusing paintings come out of them. Here’s an example – a self-portrait of the artist in which layered painting plays a major role. The artist himself, as you can see, doesn’t take it all that seriously.
Self-portraits from the time when I was still working.
I sacrificed years of my life to the quarterly economy, and today I’m a free artist. I get to focus on the things that are truly valuable and wonderful in life.
Now that my head is no longer buzzing with business development, I realise how important and wonderful it is to be present. When you’re present, you start to see beautiful subjects for paintings all around you.
Here are a few watercolours from the time when I was still working. Despite the success I had in my job back then, I felt empty inside. I believe that feeling comes through in these pictures from that time.
End of the quarter
“Sell more!”; “We need more!”; “Nothing is ever enough!”; “Even more!” – The picture above captures the feelings of that time well
Towards new targets
I often felt empty when the previous quarter or financial year had successfully beaten its sales targets. This picture captures how I felt when it was time to chase even bigger sales targets.
End of the financial year
Even though big achievements were hailed and success was celebrated, at some point those “celebrations” felt hollow too.
Feedback from others
“You’re a Finnish Van Gogh, aren’t you”
“Well, I suppose that’s one way to spend your time…”
“I’d never put something like that on my wall.”
I found the joy of painting, and the stifling limits disappeared
Below are a few self-portraits from after I discovered the joy of painting.
Besides the joy of painting, I’m grateful to the Mikkeli Adult Education Centre, where I’m taking part in the basic studies in visual arts for adults. The aim of the studies is to awaken and inspire visual expression and different ways of working.
As you can see from the results, the studies have borne fruit.
Notes…
I first made this with oil pastels, and after that came this oil painting.
Beanie head
This was at first much more “natural”, but it lacked the “vibe” it has now!
A yogi’s life.
Yoga and meditation became part of my life while I was still working. I’m grateful for that, because meditation gave me mental tools that helped me get through all kinds of hardships.
Now, years later, I can say that closing my eyes every day and simply being really paid off.
Yogi
Sitting completely still, spine straight, you can take a journey of discovery into yourself, into humanity and, in the end, into absolutely everything.
He who laughs first…
If someone laughs at this painting (too), so do I.
Live in peace
The suit-and-tie theatre is over; it’s time to start living. The gravestone doesn’t say RIP but LIP. Live in peace.
Get in touch!
The best way to reach me is by email: erkko.skantz@gmail”dot”com