Oil painting in Jolanta Johnsson Gallery

Oil painting art gallery

Oil painting on canvas is my favourite technique.  Oil paints appeared in Europe in the Middle Ages. These paints offer possibilities that no other technique does. They can be layered, unsuccessful parts of a painting can be painted over, and you can start again. In short, you can wander around the canvas and finally reach your goal, the finished painting on canvas.

Visual artist Jolanta Johnsson presents online gallery art in different techniques: painting, graphics and drawing. 

The finished oil painting

The completion of an oil painting is a decision solely entrusted to the artist. However, this decision is not always definitive or absolute. Time serves as a crucial companion to the artist, as it allows for a transformation in his perspective. It is through the passage of time that hidden elements are unveiled, and the logic behind the painting becomes clearer. Consequently, the finished painting is returned to the easel for further refinement.

At this juncture, an intriguing process commences: I am filled with anticipation, eager to discover whether I will continue along the same path I initially embarked upon when I first began working on the painting. Alternatively, will I veer off in an entirely different direction? Ultimately, the finished painting never fails to astonish me once again.

Over the years, I have revisited numerous paintings which are presented in the oil paintings gallery. As time elapses, my comprehension deepens, and I increasingly understand the fact that Leonardo da Vinci spent twelve years perfecting the Mona Lisa.

What is visual art?

In my understanding, art is something that transcends practical needs and is deemed unnecessary. However, it holds a profound significance. An artist is an individual who possesses an inexplicable urge to create art. They may not know why, but the compulsion to express impressions, thoughts, or ideas on canvas or paper (specifically within the realm of visual arts) is so powerful that the question of purpose becomes secondary. The desire to produce something unprecedented takes precedence – this is what true creativity entails (at least, in my perception). Although I work within my limitations, I constantly strive to surpass them and acquire new skills. Through personal experience, I have learned that without moments of intense introspection, during which I can deconstruct what I have already accomplished, I will not feel as though I have truly created an image, such as a contemporary painting. Art is an endeavor that requires effort. We, visual artists, exhibit it in various forms, including online galleries and modern art museums.

Contemporary artist is free

Contemporary artists enjoy freedom in their craft. In my opinion, the act of creating visual art allows individuals to liberate themselves from various constraints. Perhaps it helps them escape from mundane issues or negative thoughts about others. Of course, artists are not necessarily saints. Nevertheless, when an artist is true to themselves and wholeheartedly engages in their artistic journey, it becomes such a profound experience that there is no room for negative thoughts, not even about an unpleasant mother-in-law.

The Human Figure in Art

The human being is a complex amalgamation of beauty and goodness, as well as ugliness and evil. We are forever bound to this inherent duality. It is precisely this tension between these opposing forces that gives birth to the very essence of art. At times, I find myself captivated by the sheer magnificence and diversity of the natural world, with its awe-inspiring array of plants and animals, questioning whether it is truly worthwhile to focus on the human form. Yet, time and time again, this subject resurfaces, compelling me to explore it further. As a result, figurative representations have become a recurring theme in many of my artistic creations not only as oil paintings, but also in such techniques as drawings, and graphics.