My grandmother was a Finnish immigrant from Helsinki.

A few years ago, I studied mid-century abstract Finnish art, and much of it felt very familiar to me.

I didn’t have to emulate it, because of the Finnish blood coursing through my veins.

Whatever I painted was authentically Finnish.

I live in a cold, northern climate, on the shore of a large body of water. Grammy lived in Maine, and she said the coast of Maine reminded her of Finland. When I saw the north shore of Lake Superior for the first time, it reminded me of Maine. I know that a lot of Finnish people liked this area. I like it best when the crowds of people are gone. That’s my inner Finn. I’m an introvert, but a social one. I love spending time with friends, but it’s when I’m alone that I recharge my battery.

I like to draw all of the curtains, lock the doors, and spend days in seclusion. The constant sound of chatter annoys me. Sometimes I just want everyone to be quiet.

“If someone is talking in a Finnish sauna they are not Finnish.”