What is the best thing that I love about my work?

The best thing about painting is being able to express myself. I use painting as a way to communicate, express thoughts and feelings where words fail.

What is my idea of happiness?

A sense of calmness. For a very long time I confused pleasure with happiness. But the older I get, the more I have realized that I’m the happiest when I feel a calmness in life.

What is my greatest fear?

My greatest fear is stagnation, in both life and work. I fear getting stuck, no longer evolving. This is one of the reasons I love working in a creative field where I can always push my work further.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

The lack of structure in my life outside of painting. I’m very bad at multitasking. 

With painting being my biggest passion, a lot of other things don’t get the attention they need.

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?

Edward Povey, Christian Rex Van minnen, Tracey Emin — all of them very devoted painters and great artists.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

Logistics. It is always terrifying to send a painting, hoping it will arrive safely no matter how carefully I pack everything. So far everything has arrived as it should, thankfully. 

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

Whenever I finish a painting that I’m happy with. I have been doing art for 20 years but it still blows my mind.

The thought of knowing how to paint and draw. It’s an incredible feeling.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

I think that I’d like to be more confident in myself. I’m very confident in my work, though I often lack confidence in myself as a person.

I’ve somehow made it this far but I think life would be easier with more self confidence.

What is my greatest achievement in work?

My debut Solo show in London at Rhodes contemporary art gallery. It was an amazing feeling, seeing all the artwork up on the walls and meeting the visitors.

Where would I most like to live?

I have just moved to a small village by the ocean here in Sweden, I’m very happy here. There is so much beauty here and I love the sound of the ocean every day.

What is my most treasured possession?

A golden ring from my grandma. She taught me how to paint when I was very young. I wish she were still around.

What is my most marked characteristic?

My curiosity. I’m curious about everything and I never get bored of new information. 

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

The Swedish academy of realist art, SARA. The school is filled with amazing art and creative people. My favorite room there is the wunderkammer, where all the casts are.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?

I’ve recently moved here so I haven’t yet found a favorite place.

What books influenced my life and how?

Peak, by K. Anders Ericsson. The book is based on studies on how humans learn new trades. It’s a very inspiring book and it changed the way I think about learning and the human mind.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, by Elvis Costello

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

Marla Singer from Fight club. There is something very interesting with Marla. She is not a traditional female character from movies or books. She’s much more complex.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

People who thought differently and radically. People like Nicholas Tesla or Marie Curie.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime?

Dogman, by Luc Besson. Truly a masterpiece and Caleb Landry Lones’ acting is fantastic.

What role do stories play in my life and work?

My art is very much based about stories. Stories from myself, or from people I have met. Stories inspire me on a daily basis.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?

You are in control of your own life and you choose how to tell about it. In the end we are each the stories of our lives.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

Brad Neal, my boyfriend. 

He is the only person I feel truly comfortable being myself with. 

We are both in a similar professional situation, with changing our careers midlife. With me painting and him starting a videogame studio.

He has always been a big support to me and I feel that we are a great team together. 

Which people or companies would I like to work with? (

There are a lot of companies and people I’d like to work with. 

Different contemporary art galleries and art magazines. 

I’m at the very beginning of my career, so I’d like to keep an open mind about who I work with. 

What project am I looking forward to work on?

I have a mini solo show at 19 Karen Contemporary Artspace, in Gold Coast Australia this fall. I’m painting for it right now and I’m happy with how the paintings are coming together. 

Where can you see me or my work?

My work can be found in Rhodes contemporary art gallery, London, and in 19 Karen Contemporary Artspace, Australia, in private collections around the world and in my social media. 

Or if you are in Simrishamn you could always come by for a studio visit.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

There’s no off button. I think about art every day, even when I shower and go to sleep. It’s a way of living. I can’t imagine life without art.

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?

There are a lot of amazing female painters that I think have interesting stories. Anna Ileby is one of them. Her art is very vivid and beautiful.

How can you contact me?

On my website: https://elina-ojakangas-painter.jimdosite.com/or on my instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elina_ojakangas/