Exclusive Interview with Ove Lundström – Painter
Ove Lundström is a Swedish artist who currently lives in Finland. He uses many kinds of techniques, ink, watercolor, oil and lead pencil but watercolor is closest to him for the moment. He is almost a self-taught artist. In early years he sat down next to his father and learned the basics and different kinds of techniques. He has also learned a lot in Åke Skiölds drawing school. Over the years he had developed his own technique in his art.
In his teens music took over a bit and he spend a lot of time playing music and worked as a music teacher for ten years, but all the time art has been in the background and now days it’s mostly art he does. Today music always streams from the loudspeakers when he worked and influenced the art.
Ove had painted a lot of commissions work over the years and he has exhibitions in both Sweden and Finland and his art has found their home in both countries. He has also had exhibitions in Milano/ Italy and Vienna/ Austria.
He like to vary his art/ motives and not get stuck in same kind of motives.
NY Glam: Tell us a little about yourself and your career beginnings.
I was born and raised in Sweden, not far from Stockholm. At the age of 40 I moved to Finland with my wife who is Finnish and has since lived in Finland, where I live in a big house with my wife and our cat, quite close to the city of Oulu in the middle of Finland. I have tried to learn the Finish language, which is completely different from Swedish and I can handle the language quite well today. My dad has always painted and drawn, in early years I sat down next to him a and learn the basics and different kind of techniques and since then art has always been in my life.
NY Glam: What projects are you currently working on?
At this moment I have started to prepare for an exhibition in Stockholm next year.
NY Glam: What art do you most identify with?
It is probably my paintings with pets as I have painted a lot of and always get orders from time to time.
NY Glam: What themes do you pursue?
It’s difficult to say as I like to vary my art, technique and motifs. For example, if I had painted some portraits, I feel like I want to paint something completely different.
NY Glam: What’s your favorite art work?
One of my favorites is “An old village in France” which I painted last year.
NY Glam: Tells us about some of your recent exhibitions. What memorable responses have you had to your work?
An experience was my exhibition last year at M.A.D.S in Milan which has a newer concept where they use video screens. It gave me experience and positive reviews. Also, my last exhibition in Vienna where it was a traditional exhibition but also a video screen.
NY Glam: Tell us about one of your projects which you are very proud of.
This is possibly my first exhibition in Sweden when I dared to take the step and exhibit my art, sell many paintings and received many positive reviews that strengthened me in my artistic activity.
NY Glam: What does “being creative” mean to you?
Being creative means many different things to me, being rich in ideas, imaginative and productive.
NY Glam: What are you trying to communicate with your art?
I try to capture the soul in my art and to give the viewer a pleasant experience.
NY Glam: What role does the Artist have in Society?
I think the artist have a big role in the society, art provides food for the soul, it gives color, joy and makes people stop and maybe think and fantasize. It’s very important for decorating buildings and places, I think it means a lot to human well-being.
NY Glam: What are your thoughts on being an artist in today’s world?
It’s very tough to be an artist today, it’s very difficult to live on art and “corona times” have not made it better. One positive thing today is that it’s easy to use social media to reach out with the art.
NY Glam: How has painting influenced your life?
Art is always with me, when I travel, I always look for good motives to paint, I see the word in colors. I spend a lot of time painting and I’m grateful to everyone who likes my art, positive words and all the friends I have got through art. Everything makes me continue with my art.
NY Glam: What art movement or artist would you say influences your work most?
There are many artists I like and who have influenced me, such as Lars Jonsson and Anders Zorn in Sweden and internationally I can mention the watercolor artist Steve Hanks, Vincent van Gogh and Salvador Dali, but I must also mention my father too who has influenced me a lot.
NY Glam: What can we expect from you this year?
The rest of this year I have not booked and planned anything but of course continue to paint and I planning for an exhibition in Stockholm next year.
NY Glam: Can you share with us three favorite things about your city/culture?
Here in Finland, of course sauna who should preferably fired with wood for softer heat. Then I can mention the Finnish “sisu” (perseverance) which exists in people and society. I like the Finish nature who is very beautiful. In Sweden I must mention the Swedish coast which I like a lot and islands like Gotland which are very beautiful.
NY Glam: Where can everyone keep up with you to learn more? …social media…website.
-wenell art / Instagram
artportable.com/artist/ove-lundstrom
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