The essence of Lapland in the work of Minna-Carita Moilanen

Five years ago, Minna-Carita Moilanen decided to branch out from her work as a local travel guide in Finnish Lapland and turn her painting into a profession. At the same time, Moilanen set up a cosy cottage for guests near her home in Ivalo, Northern Lapland. She now works as an artist and manages her property, enjoyed by visitors from around the world.

Moilanen paints vibrant landscapes, celebrating the light and colours of Lapland. “A customer said that I capture the soul of Lapland,” she says. Her paintings have also been transformed into digital images that are printed on trays and cutting boards, crafted in Finland using high-quality local birchwood. “I’m drawn to art that is northern and rugged. I deeply appreciate Sami handicrafts, which is a large part of the culture in the region,” she says.

Moilanen’s Hidden Treasures is a popular summer motif. “Cloudberries are important to us northerners. We pick them in summer and eat them throughout the long winter,” the artist says. From the winter collection, both Northern Spirit and Northern Skies are well-loved and capture the magic of the north. Moilanen herself loves Wild Power; “It’s empowering with the midnight sun, providing sustenance even during dark winter nights. Fireweed is also an important part of this painting, a wild herb that grows in Lapland and has many uses.”

Besides her paintings, Moilanen’s cottage is popular amongst international guests. “The stars are visible without the light pollution and the Northern Lights are so vibrant,” she says. “It’s perfect for people who want to get to know the local culture. One guest said something that really resonated with me, that the cottage is a slice of paradise and that this is also conveyed in my paintings.’”

Web: www.minnacaritas.fi
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