Art connects a mother and daughter in a way that words cannot always reach. The shared passion of Sinikka Tasala and Katariina Kuukasjärvi is evident in their individual artistic careers, joint exhibitions, and summer art camps.
Closer through brushstrokes
Art has been part of Sinikka Tasala’s life and that of her daughter, Katariina Kuukasjärvi, for as long as they can remember. Although both have their own distinctive artistic expression and careers, what unites them above all is creating together and a deep understanding of the role of art in life.
Katariina Kuukasjärvi, a visual artist born and working in Taivalkoski, has been painting for nearly her entire life. Her first works were created in her teenage years, and over time her expression has evolved through acrylics, watercolors, and oil paints. Her works reflect the delicate moods of northern nature—forests, waters, and animals—all of which serve as an endless source of inspiration for her.
“My mother and I have a long tradition of painting together. Our shared hobby brings us closer, and through art we are able to share many feelings and experiences that words often cannot express,” Katariina says.
Nature and animals as recurring themes
Sinikka Tasala’s art also springs from a strong connection to nature. A long-established visual artist, she is known for her harmonious landscapes, animal subjects, and richly colored paintings that combine a calm atmosphere with aesthetic sensitivity.
In Sinikka’s works, animals, flowers, and landscapes take shape through intuitive use of color, creating images that invite the viewer to pause and appreciate the beauty of nature. This closeness to nature also unites the art of mother and daughter, even though each has their own way of interpreting the surrounding world.
According to Katariina, art has brought a new depth to their relationship.
“Artistic expression came to me with my mother’s milk, and our shared passion has helped both of us grow over the years. You could almost say that through art, the mother–daughter dynamic has gained a completely new perspective, and we see each other as two women pursuing our own dreams,” she explains.
Joint exhibitions and summer art camps
The shared journey of mother and daughter is also visible in exhibitions and projects. In 2024, their joint exhibition From the Garden to the Heart of the Forest was shown at the Päätalo Center in Taivalkoski. The exhibition featured, among other works, nature- and animal-themed acrylic and oil paintings, as well as striking horse subjects.
Their collaboration reaches a peak each summer at an art camp held in Ostrobothnia, where time is spent painting, enjoying nature, and embracing creativity. The camp serves not only as an important moment of rest but also as a place where ideas emerge and their shared inspiration grows stronger.
Over the years, Katariina’s works have been displayed across Northern Finland, including at the Ylläs–Pallas Nature Centre, the Syöte Nature Centre, and in Oulu and Pudasjärvi. Her art can also be found in the restaurant, lobby, and suites of Hotel Iso-Syöte.
Sinikka Tasala, in turn, participated in the 2025 Glimpses of North outdoor art exhibition in the Syöte area, where the beauty of northern nature was strongly reflected in her works.
Art as shared quality time
For Sinikka and Katariina, art is not just a hobby or a profession—it is a way of connecting with another person. Over the years, their shared painting moments have become meaningful quality time, where thoughts, emotions, and dreams take shape through colors and brushstrokes.
Their story is a reminder of how creativity, at its best, can connect generations and build bridges that words alone cannot create.
Glimpses of North is part of the Oulu2026 programme
