Visual Artist & Illustrator
I am a Northern Sámi visual artist based in Northern Norway, specializing in illustrative art and creating drawings and paintings that depict abstract portraits, mythology, and fantasy. Drawing inspiration from stories, history, and fiction, I combine narrative and imagination to create expressive, evocative works that invite viewers to discover their own interpretations. The work is influenced include literature, games, mythology, folklore, religion, Renaissance and Baroque painting, as well as personal stories and experiences.
I work primarily with traditional media, including pencil and ink, acrylics, and oil paint. Through my work, I seek to capture a moment frozen in time, just before something is about to happen or immediately after it has already occurred. My expressive portraits and narrative compositions often represent a single moment within a larger story, inviting viewers to imagine what came before and what may follow. The works include original drawings, paintings, commissioned works, and personal projects. Across all of these, my aim is to create illustrations that tell stories, evoke emotion, and encourage viewers to look more closely.
I am fascinated by the space between reality and mythology, between what is real and what is imagined. I explore this through illustrations and narratives inspired by a vague image in my mind, a sentence once spoken, personal experiences, and stories drawn from history and fiction. Most of my works are not intended to be factual or realistic, but rather artistic interpretations of a moment or situation.
The artistic process behind each work is either carefully planned or entirely intuitive. Some works begin with a clear concept and a precisely structured composition, while others emerge through spontaneous discovery on the canvas itself. The latter approach is easier to begin but more difficult to control, as the evolving image continuously reshapes the original idea. In both approaches, drawing is the foundation of my process. Pencil sketches allow ideas to evolve before taking their final form, balancing spontaneity with precision. I enjoy both the creative and practical aspects of making art, and my work is driven primarily by personal curiosity and exploration. Constructing a scene, a situation, or even an abstract portrait through illustration brings me great satisfaction because it challenges me on two levels: first, to envision the image in my mind, and second, to realize that vision through technical execution. Rather than providing answers, I hope my work invites viewers to ask questions and form their own interpretations.
My artistic background is shaped by a combination of formal education and self-directed learning. After two years at an art high school and two years at a foundation art school, I have continued to develop my practice through self-directed study, experimentation, and practice. I am also influenced by my art history education, as it shapes the way I think about imagery, symbolism, and visual storytelling, while my work with museums and exhibitions has deepened my appreciation for the historical traditions that continue to influence my practice. Every drawing and painting I have created is important to me, even those that will never be seen by others. Each one forms part of my ongoing artistic journey.
If you are interested in my artwork, prints, or other works, or if you require a Northern Sámi translator or an advisor for projects, exhibitions, or other work involving Northern Sámi language, art, or cultural expertise, please contact me at perasart@pm.me.
Although my perspective is shaped by my Northern Sámi background, my work is not an illustration of Sámi culture itself. Instead, it explores questions of memory, history, mythology, and storytelling through a personal lens.