Visual artist & painter Katja Vedeneva
Emotions and intuition are at the centre of my creative artwork

 

Painting techniques – expressive oil paints, brush and palette knife

I find painting on canvas with oil paint, brush and palette knife to be an expressive painting technique.
In addition to oil painting, I also paint with acrylic paints. In painting, it is possible to express something which is impossible to express in words. The dynamics of a brushstroke or palette knife make it possible to portray the sound of waves or the ripple of a breeze. Impressionism and post-Impressionism are the two styles that are closest to my heart. My repertoire includes both landscapes and portraits and I also do a lot of paintings and portraits to order. As a result of many years of perfecting my plein air painting techniques I have developed the ability to paint both quickly and expressively, with the proficiency to capture poignant moments in my landscape painting. I have been practicing portrait painting for several years and I believe I am able to capture and bring out the model’s true nature and inner beauty.
 

Inspiration – from the magical nature of the Nordic region to the blaze of colours in Crete
I was first captivated  by the magical beauty of Nordic scenery whilst working as a restorer on the island
of Valaam, Lake Ladoga. Following my time on the island, I have continued plein air painting in Karelia, middle-Finland and  Valkeala, Kymenlaakso. I am still very much inspired by Nordic landscapes to this day. Valkeala and especially Lake Lappalanjärvi are the most picturesque settings in Finland in my opinion and  I have painted many landscape paintings there. I am particularly inspired by how expressive nature can be there: the cliffs, steep lake shores, the movements of the waves and the wind, the sparkling water in the lake and the stunning red sunsets. I try to capture the mood and atmosphere of a place on the canvas. Colours, shades and light are important to me; through them I paint the poetry of nature. 

 

Some years ago when I visited Crete for the first time, I fell in love with the colours and the amazing bright light of the island. Those landscapes stayed in my mind, and I wanted to return there over and over again. In addition to the exceptional beauty of the island, I am also fascinated by the history, the culture, the church and the complex poetic myths of the island. Crete has inspired my art, and as a result of my journeys there many works of art have been created. In my latest Crete inspired paintings I have found more pictorial means of expression, new ways of using colours; these discoveries and their positive energy are something that I wish to share.
 

Experience in art: Exhibitions, studies and teaching
I have held several private exhibitions across Finland since 2008. In addition to those, I have also had the privilege of participating in many joint exhibitions. I have been creating custom artwork for many years now; landscapes, still-lives and portraits. My paintings are in private collections in Finland, England, Italy and Greece. I have ten years of experience in teaching painting and visual arts to children. I have studied art pedagogy in Finland;, most recently “Vision, skill and didactics of art subjects” organised by the Open University of Helsinki in spring 2021, 2022.