English - Ewa Kinnunen Fine Art

Who am I?

My name is Ewa Kinnunen and I have lived in Trollbäcken, Tyresö since 2011.
I have had Ateljé & Galleri Ewa for 4 years at the address Stadsparken 6, Tyresö. There I work with my own artistry and also have painting courses but also in Crete and in Marrakech.

I am largely a self-taught artist and also have 20 years of experience as an art teacher. Education such as the artistic year at the Rudolf Steiner Seminary’s art teacher program and several courses at Gerlesborgsskolan are the basis for my artistry. I have my former teacher from Gerlesborgsskolan as a permanent mentor.

I work mainly with acrylic, brush, painting knife, rags and my hands. But also with watercolor, gouache, collage technique. I am a member of the Swedish Artists’ Association, Konstrundan Tyresö, Tyresö Art Association and Södertälje Art Association.

What do I do?

I am a full-time artist but I can confidently say that I have been an art teacher for over 20 years. My working year is divided between my own creations, painting courses for children and adults, various art projects with people with functional disabilities and older people with cognitive impairments. It is an enormous satisfaction to follow all these different participants in the courses and projects.

How?

As an art teacher with extensive experience, I am used to creating a warm and safe atmosphere so that the courage to create can appear immediately. The participants are supervised individually but are also given short theoretical and practical briefings in groups. The group itself is an important factor for input and happy shouts, but there should also be the opportunity to be a little individual, of course.
I am used to creating a warm and safe atmosphere so that the courage to create can appear immediately. In the courses, you can work in watercolor, gouache, acrylic and collage techniques, for example, but I also talk about approaches to your creation and I generously give tips that can help you progress in your development.

The painting courses are intensive and you get access to motifs wherever you are in these fantastic environments. Each day begins with an introduction where I talk about approaches to one’s creative work, give workshops in different techniques and you are also given the opportunity to try the material in your own visual work.

Where?

I have chosen each course building to meet the need for a much-needed calm that allows creativity to flourish but also also an inspiring environment to start from in one’s creation. Or why not bring your own sketches or ideas and work with them here?
Everyone has their own expression and specific style just like we have our own signature, right?

Art class in Crete, in Skouloufia

Up in the mountains with magical miles-wide views of both the mountains and the sea, I usually hold the course in late summer/early autumn or even at the end of spring. We live in two villas with 2 swimming pools. The garden is generous and there are plenty of lovely places where you can find your place and peace of mind to work or maybe a moment of rest? Zabia cooks our food and the ingredients come from her own garden and nearby farmers. The menu is of course Greek Mediterranean food. A full-day excursion is always included during the course week.

Art class in southern Crete, Frangokastelli

In southern Crete, Frangokastelli, we live in a lovely hotel with a lush garden and where the sea is right next to us. How about walking 10 meters and you are already on the beach?

Nature has created a bay that is shallow and the waves are calm and suitable for all guests who like to swim. Babis cooks our food and the ingredients come from her own garden and nearby farmers. The menu is of course Greek Mediterranean food. A full- day excursion is always included during the course week.

Art class in Marrakech

The institute and guesthouse we have is very centrally located in the southern part of the medina where most of its parks and gardens are also located. In addition, it is within walking distance of most of the sights and very close to the famous Djem el Fna square, the large souk (bazaar) and various craft districts.

The house, or riad as it is called, is hidden behind simple ochre-colored walls in a cul-de- sac where neither horse-drawn carriages nor cars can reach. Only the neighbors’ motorbikes and children playing in the alley or the occasional barking dog disturb the sublime silence. In the early morning hours, you may wake up to the call to prayer from the minarets or the morning concert of the birds in the patio’s garden plantings and cozy courtyards. A 50-meter walk takes us to the very heart of the medina.

The course is usually given at the end of September but also during the spring. It is truly a cultural oasis in the middle of the old medina, the historic city center.

What do you get?

Here you can read about what others have thought of my courses.

“I appreciate how you organize the morning and your daily briefings. You let us try out the painting supplies you have. You are responsive to the group's wishes. Having a final vernissage was great! Getting to see other people's artwork without there being any judgments of what you have achieved, but everything was in a positive spirit - that's what made me appreciate having a "vernissage"

"Overall: Fantastic week. Everything was very good. That you spend time with us and live with us the whole week is unusual and a huge asset. And last but not least, you are such a nice and humorous and entertaining person. And above all, a good teacher. Supervision: Good with start-ups and briefings and discussions of different techniques. Even though I was there last year, good with repetition. Individual supervision: Very good help. You are so good at giving answers and suggestions for everything in painting”

"It's fantastic to have access to an experienced and professional artist who is also very educational in his teaching. For me, the painting itself gave me a different perspective on my work process. A more interested perspective – What is that? What does that look like? What would happen if I mixed the yellow, blue and red colors!? I often find myself standing there, staring. Looking closer. Looking from a distance at what I created on my painting paper. The tutorial had great degrees of freedom in terms of content and scope but with my needs and wishes in focus. I have been treated with openness, honesty and responsiveness that gave me simple, clear instructions and encouraging words. A very well planned week. Good job! Thanks Ewa”