Ceramic coffee mug with my painting

Today i have my first cup of coffee with new ceramic coffee mug. Yesterday i get in post this cool cup with my art painting on it, that i was ordered from my design art shop Society6. i wanted to know how print will look on it and to know the quality of their work, before i start more promoting and add more works in that gallery! and must say i am really happy with result. The print on mug looks really fine and beautiful mug! you can look for your self how it look in this pictures!
Now it will be my favorite coffee mug for sure! :D Mmm and coffee taste very good in it! :)

Here you find this and many others design  ceramic coffee mugs with my my art on them.  Mugs by Mikko

Autumnal forest

"Autumnal forest"

watercolor on paper 2014

 "Autumn arrives in early morning, but spring at the close of a winter day."
Elizabeth Bowen

 I am absolutely agree with those words! what can be more magical then autumn sunny morning in fall time! When all glowing in different color and sweet wind breath and bring joy in to your soul!
That what i wanted to capture, the walk in the forest at that time!

 This is how painting look  in white mats, ready for framing.

  Here is Painting available for purchase.

I was published on Cover of art journals EFFETTO ARTE 2014

Today come in post art journals EFFETTO ARTE where I was published.
Must admit the cover with my work on it look really cool.
 I am so honored!

An this is second work this was also published there under the title  Artistic Star
:)

i was taken this shot right after i opened the package. as you see i got few copies of it just in case..

 :)

Evening road into the city

"Evening road into the city"

watercolors on paper 2014

 It's late autumn even. sun slowly running away and darkness with cold air starting breathe more deeper and deeper, igniting the sky in fiery colors. Everywhere so peaceful and quiet that you can hear your breathing when you walk in that muddy road into the city..

Detail of painting

The longer you walk in this cold weather the more you starting to see all around you.. all kind creatures and faces starting to just on you from landscape and your imagination goes wild.. like that huge half green half blue face that looking at you from this detail.. or that bird that disappeared in to glow of sky fiery colors.
with open eyes you can find much more..

"Evening road into the city"

 Photomanipulation of my paintig on mobile. 2014

 it's always interesting to connect different mediums of technology. to see and play with beautiful and real feel light effect of mobile textures on traditional watercolor painting. :)

Autumnal landscape

"Autumnal landscape"

Soft pastels on paper 2014

 "Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."
Albert Camus

 I am absolultey agree with this quote.. Autumn with all its colorful glory always inspire me to capture on canvas all those dreamy mood and glory in nature. Also in this painting once again i wanted to magic of sunset. the moment when nature is starting slowly going to sleep and yet all around look even more beautiful with some drops of mystery with the last rays of the sun...

This is how painting look  in black mats, ready for framing.

 Here is Painting available for purchase.

Blossom time

"Blossom time"

watercolors and ink on paper

In this painting i wanted to capture the feeling of blossom time. When all flower, trees, everything bloom and you can really sense the magic in the air!

detail of painting

 When you look at all those details in painting you can find many characters, faces. like in this detail.. when you look inside flower, right in the middle you can find eyes and such a funny face and right near flower in the middle of picture. that dark are look as some kind dark character try perhaps eat that flower. or perhaps that dark character looks as ancient warrior..and so many many others..

This is how painting look  in white mats, ready for framing.

Here is Painting available for purchase.

Autumn on the lake

"Autumn on the lake"
Watercolors  on paper. 2014

"It was, as I have said, a fine autumnal day;
the sky was clear and serene, and nature
wore that rich and golden livery which we
always associate with the idea of abundance.
The forests had put on their sober brown and
yellow, while some trees of the tenderer kind
had been nipped by the frosts into brilliant
dyes of orange, purple, and scarlet."
- Washington Irving

 I wanted to capture here atmosphere of autumn on lake. fall colors that suit the nature and git is such a joyful look with all amazing colors.. But here is also lots of details that may tell more deep story of that place and time.. 

Detail.

As you can see on this detail.. when i looked more closely at this part of painting i saw red lips right where the red on painting shows and through that the face of some kind creature slowly starting paint in my head. is so fascinating to find in landscape all those details, nose, white eyes with yellow make up in a area between ground and tree line.. or a funny with silhouette portrait in orange with a kind of red hat right in the middle of this details.. it's all about from with side you look at this details and shapes and what they tell you.

Detail 2

 or as on this details you can find a beautiful and very mysterious, dark silhouette of warrior, who look with one eye on viewer with strange bull head on his shoulder.. or it's just me wild imagination, always gonna fly and search for this kind funny but i thing interesting details! so you too may like this just open your mind and watch, look for shapes and what they look like. i am sure you will find a lot amazing things here...  :)

The first rays of the winter sun

"The first rays of the winter sun"

 Watercolors on paper. 2014

 Early morning at winter time, what a magic feel to see first sun rays shining and bring some warm feeling in a freezing cold, snowy landscape!  that exact feeling i wanted to capture in this watercolor work. 

as Edith Sitwell sayed..
“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.”
and enjoy of life and winter magic.

 Photomanipulation of my old paintig on mobile. 2014

 Here is kind of updated version of winter morning atmosphere. this time i add more lights and sunlight effects on my mobile on watercolors. it so interesting to see how digital effects perfectly fit with watercolor and create truly unique atmosphere. Somehow its feel so alive! i can almost feel that i stand there and enjoy all that silens and warm feeling of sun light..

Game of the moon with the sun

"Game of the moon with the sun"

 watercolors and ink on paper 2014

 Mysterious connection between sun and moon that connect in every one soul. Live is like a Carnival season with contrast in feelings and mystery of time and space in whole universe.. we all have different mask in communications with different groups of people, our different roles that we play have direct connect with the sun or moon.. mystery of life..

 "When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the creator."
Mahatma Gandhi

 Detail.

as you see there is a lot of details that complete the story and only your imagination is the line between possibilities and feelings..

Evening

"Evening"

 Watercolors  on paper. 2014

 Summer evening what a wonderful time. When after long hot day at least nature can breathe freely and enjoy of fresh wind and song of birds. such slowly come down and mysterious play of light and colors starting to create mysterious fairy tale all around us..

 detal.

 i am only now noticed that those trees and mill look so alive and i see the faces on both of them! eyes, nose.. looks as they have conversation after hard work and. just enjoy of company to each other at beautiful sunset time..

Winter evening

"Winter evening"

 texture blend photography

 This days we have such a hot summer weather that its feels so nostalgic for cold and snowy winter weather.
This picture was taken last winter after it was snowing all day. Back then i just wanted to go outside and capture some winter magic! i find this picture and wants create that romantic atmosphere and play with light and colors...

 This picture was inspire my wonderful friend Henni to create this emotional and beautiful Poem

"Do you still remember last winter?
Gone is your cold touch on my skin.
Gone are the days when there used to be us.
Let there be winter. I am ready for the frozen tears."

by  Henni Tenhunen

Natural expression of the love

"Natural expression of the love"

 Soft pastel on pastel card. 

i played with colors and shapes with great inspiration from this amazing song...

 
"You have a way of moving me
A force of nature, your energy
It comes naturally, you know it does
It comes naturally
And it takes my breath away
You are the thunder and I am the lightening
And I love the way you know who you are
And to me it's exciting
When you know it's meant to be
Everything comes naturally."
-Selena Gomez "Naturally"

Dances after dark

"Dances after dark"

 Acrylic on canvas 2013

 i was started this painting like abstract painting but at some moment i start to see all kind different figures in beautiful dresses feel like all just dance in some huge hall with all that lyrical lights and music..

and everytime i look atthis work for some reason this amazing song come to my mind.. all that fairy tale atmospehre!

 "Dancing bears
Painted wings
Things i almost remember
And a song someone sings
Once upon a December
Someone holds me safe and warm
Horses dance through a silver storm
Figures dancing gracefully
Across my memory"
-Anastasia - Once Upon A December

  A Video of collection of acrylic paintings that was painted in 2013

Purple mountains in dreamland

"Purple mountains in dreamland"

 Soft pastel on pastel card.

 
~"Every sleepy light
Must say goodbye
To the day before it dies
In a sea of honey
A sky of honey
Keep us close to your heart
So if the skies stay dark
We may live on in
Comets and stars"
- Kate Bush - Sunset ~

Poppies

"Poppies"

watercolors on paper

For some strange reason i just noticed that puppies are one of the most my favorite flower to paint. Perhaps it may be because of amazing colors and that spring feelings that they bring all that beauty and light...

  "Every castle of the air Sleeps in the fine black grains, and there Are seeds for every romance, or light Whiff of a dream for a summer night."
Amy Lowell Quotes , Source: Sword Blades and Poppy Seed

Dream is Reality

"Dream is Reality"

 I just love to play with flowers and lights, it's always result is so interesting.. :)

"Is what I am in a dream or reality?

 

I can’t tell…it seems as if it were reality, this reality would be more like a dream than what you would call reality.

 

Hidden behind all swirls or silver and gold, beyond of which over passes the purple polka-dotted mountains; there must be something, or someone, who can tell me if I am in a dream or reality.

 

Past the green oceans forever changing currants, on the other side of the gigantic bright pink jungle with its strange beasts; there must be something or someone, who can tell me if I am in a dream or reality.

 

Over looking the upside down skies of vivid orange and neon blue clouds, surpassing the upside right ground of grayish brown clay; there must be something or someone, who can tell me if I am in a dream or reality.

 

Could that something or someone be me?

 

Was I the answer that I have been searching for?

 

Am I a part of this dream, or is this actual reality?

 

Or am I the dream that lives in reality?

 

Or could I be the reality that people dream of?

 

Am I a Dream or Reality?"

Written by Elizabeth

Autumn field

"Autumn field"

Soft pastel on pastel card.  

 My favorite thing this days, is is play with colors creating moods, moments of life in nature... All that magic and wonder full of mystery and beauty in every second of difrent light and mood, nature is truly greatest master of all..

 and here i want to share with you one poem that i like!

"Slow moves the acid breath of noon
over the copper-coated hill,
slow from the wild crab's bearded breast
the palsied apples fall.

Like coloured smoke the day hangs fire,
taking the village without sound;
the vulture-headed sun lies low
chained to the violet ground.

The horse upon the rocky height
rolls all the valley in his eye,
but dares not raise his foot or move
his shoulder from the fly.

The sheep, snail-backed against the wall,
lifts her blind face but does not know
the cry her blackened tongue gives forth
is the first bleat of snow.

Each bird and stone, each roof and well,
feels the gold foot of autumn pass;
each spider binds with glittering snare
the splintered bones of grass.

Slow moves the hour that sucks our life,
slow drops the late wasp from the pear,
the rose tree's thread of scent draws thin -
and snaps upon the air. "

 A poem by Laurie Lee

Dreams in watercolors 5

"Golden spring"

watercolors on paper.

 The golden spring redeems the withered year,
And wherefore should my spirit be afraid
Though autumn winds wail through the smoky shade
And chill me like the fleeting ghost of fear?
Sweet love of youth, I know that thou must fade,
I know what nameless spectres hover near,
And that the loveliness I hold so dear,
Borrowed from dust, to ashes must be paid.

Yet linger still over these wasted meadows
Faint shreds of song, and scattered scents of flowers,
And from the heart's abyss of deepening shadows
Rise the young passions of immortal hours.
The golden spring its withered year redeems;
Sleep comes at last, but sleep made rich with dreams.

 writen by Robert Silliman Hillyer.

" Purple orchid"

watercolors on paper.

 "Life is the flower for which love is the honey"
 Victor Hugo

Dreamer

"Dreamer"

Photomanipulation

"I watch the sun go down like everyone of us
I'm hoping that the dawn will bring a sign
A better place for those Who will come after us ...
This time

I'm just a dreamer
I dream my life away oh yeah
I'm just a dreamer
Who dreams of better days"
- Ozzy Osbourne - Dreamer

well what can i say... I am just a dreamer! 

Huge thanks to my friend Vera for being such a wonderful model.

Golden field

"Golden field"

 Soft pastel on pastel card. 

 Here i wanted to capture autumn magic in colors that touch my soul every year again and again..

 "Every person takes the limits of their own field of vision for the limits of the world." 

- Arthur Schopenhauer 

Dreams in watercolors 4

"Metamorphosis of the sailing"

watercolors on paper 

 "If you live a life of make-believe, your life isn't worth anything until you do something that does challenge your reality. And to me, sailing the open ocean is a real challenge, because it's life or death."
- Morgan Freeman

 "Red moment"

 watercolors on paper 

Somehow i feel that this poem open so much the concept behind this work...

Red Sunset
In the red sunset he stood
staring at the canvas,
a painting he had not seen for decades
which he promised he would not see again.
But there he stood and stared,
he bit hard on the end of his meerschaum pipe
and glared at the sign “pas de fumer!”

And he could overhear excited voices en francais’
italiano,  English… 'there he is" … before his own painting!

In the red sunset he stood, and his mind was made to travel
back in time over the days spent making this piece of art.

He remembered the woman of his life.
She who brought his art to the skin of his body,
to air and sunlight;
where it would wash over the world in beauty, she did this.

The afternoon he spent slaving at his easel
when she came in the room
and looked at his painted hands and face;
she put both hands on his face and kissed him.

She made love to him with a passion and fire
that still made him tremble;
how her hands reached out to the walls
and left painted handprints on the canvas,

How like beads of perspiration she kissed from his face
gone.
They laughed at the artwork of their passion. Masterpiece!

And how she said, “this is goodbye”.

In the red sunset he stood
staring at the canvas,
a painting he had not seen for decades,
which he promised his heart he would not see again.

"Autumnal rapids"

 watercolors on paper 

“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Autumn sadness by the river

"Autumn sadness by the river"

 Soft pastel on pastel card.

i think those words of  Ernest Hemingway so well explain ny mood and what i wanted to achieve here...

“You expected to be sad in the fall. Part of you died each year when the leaves fell from the trees and their branches were bare against the wind and the cold, wintery light. But you knew there would always be the spring, as you knew the river would flow again after it was frozen. When the cold rains kept on and killed the spring, it was as though a young person died for no reason.”
― Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast

Small little Red House

"Small little Red House"

 painted on mobil.

 "once upon time
there was a little house
on a little hill
way out in the country.."

Golden sunset

"Golden sunset"

 Soft pastel on pastel card.

 when i painted this i  get such a feeling that must to paint something like this full of colors fantasy of dreamy or perhaps real view in nature... dreams or reality all the same in eyes of imagination.

 “All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Colorful imagination 1

"Screaming face of spring"

 Digital painting on mobile.

in some leves I have in mind painting of  Edvard Munch "The Scream" but wanted to do this painitng more imaginary more magical..  How nature react on spring come..

 

"Colorful explosion"

 Digital painting on mobile.

 This is my first try of combining two paintings of different app and create something its own.. play and testing new mixed stuff with shapes and colors.
it was realy fun! hope you enjoy of what this mixed experiment created..

 

 "Midsummer night flower or creature at the night"

 Digital painting on mobile.

my inspiration to create this work was this awesome song of finnish band
Korpiklaani

" Growing up with the wild bears
Breathing the smell of burning wood
Rain and clouds my only friends
Sun and moon and stars and light

Now it's time of a midnight sun
The eternal light and a breathing night
Call the gods with bones and drum
Join the shaman's magic

 Flames are dancing in the night
The shadows seem to be alive
The forest is calling my name"

-Korpiklaani - Midsummer Night

Autumn storm on a golden field

"Autumn storm on a golden field"

Acrylics on papre 

Now after this work done some time ago all that storm energy bring to my mind one poem that so well open the feelings and meaning of all this painting...

" A flash of lightening streaks across the sky.
We huddle close beneath the trembling eaves
As thunder roars a nightmare lullaby,
And strips the trees outside of summer leaves.

The fire is warm. Its light is warmer still.
A gentle beacon holding back the dark.
Yet, in the light of day, we know we will
Deny the fearful pounding of our hearts.

The ancient wonder once again is near.
The fury of the storm awakes our past.
When gods and nature both were to be feared.
And spells of warding were by fire cast.

An autumn storm returns us to that place
When nature's glory awed the human race."

writen by Katherine Marek

 A Video of collection of acrylic paintings that was painted in 2013

Summertime Sadness

"Summertime Sadness"

Watercolors on paper.

~"Kiss me hard before you go
Summertime sadness
I just wanted you to know
That, baby, you're the best
I got my red dress on tonight
Dancing in the dark in the pale moonlight
Done my hair up real big beauty queen style
High heels off, I'm feeling alive"
- Lana Del Rey - "Summertime Sadness" ~

Dreams in watercolors 3

"Early in the morning on the beach"

Watercolors on paper.

"Watching the sunrise
like a dream that never dies
each new day brings hope"

by  SilentReed

"Into The Wild" 

 Watercolors on paper.

 ~"You fail to break the silence
Most prefer the calm before the storm
You choose cities over islands
I'm returning to the place where I was born at home
In the wild to the wild
We'll self-destruct together
I'm part of you now
In the wild to the wild
We'll self-destruct together
It's all over now"
- Gossip - Into The Wild ~

 "Lighthouse at sunset"

  watercolors on paper

 Imagination of how Lightnouse may look at sunset..

 “Man must behave like a lighthouse; he must shine day and night for the goodness of everyman.”
― Mehmet Murat ildan