Eeva Räisänen

Bio: Eeva Räisänen is a Finnish-American acrylic painter and illustrator from Minnesota. She completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Bethel University and began nannying in Kerava, Finland.  Eeva returned to Minnesota to become a K-12 art teacher. She is now living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, working on her Master of Arts in Teaching. Her humorous and moody artwork is inspired by her travels in Minnesota, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and Europe. 

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Artist Statement: Farms and lakes surrounded me as I grew up in Minnesota, which can be seen within my acrylic paintings. Traveling influences the art I create and stories I tell, with views from cabins and camping. My work takes inspiration from my Finnish heritage in more ways than landscape. I was raised in the culture and I have a strong interest in the wildlife and folklore of Finland. Storytelling, specifically folklore, informs my artwork. Finnish mythology involves strange creatures that live in the forest with animals. My “corndogs” are connected to mythology by telling tales that involve jokes and lessons. It can be compared to the sauna-tonttu, a troll that punishes people who misbehave in the sauna! I am interested in using humor, wordplay, and unpredictable narratives in my paintings. I am hoping people respond with laughter and an appreciation for the landscapes I am sharing.