CONSERVATORIES

Sofia said: ‘I was terrified by the thought of attending the exhibition and wondered what the outcome would be. Would it be worth it? But the exhibition went well. The painting has lots of sexual references, as it represents a bad experience in a personal relationship. Behind the central female figure, birds and butterflies symbolise innocence and sexual freedom. For me, it is about darkness and negativity, but the woman who bought it saw beauty and positivity.’

Inner Strength

One of Sofia’s paintings has featured on the bottle of a Lush perfume, called ‘Karma’. The work features flowers in the form of bacteria, contrasting the artist’s love of flowers and fear of germs. It has a brighter colour palette than much of Sofia’s work, which often features splattered paint and thick layers of red, black and gold. Flowers and butterflies are a regular occurrence and can sometimes provide positivity and light against an otherwise dark theme.

Sofia said: ‘I never really know when a painting is finished, as I keep adding layers and details, depending on my mood, until I get a feeling that it’s time to stop. One painting I am particularly proud of is ‘Strength’ and you can sense that something has happened to the girl in the picture. She is scared of something and is hiding a bruised eye, but deep down she has a strength that draws people in.’

Animal Magic

Now 20, Sofia has recently started painting animals. She shares her studio with Charlie, a guinea pig, and he is featured in several paintings. Others include cats wearing kimonos, or bold pictures of a bluebird in flight. ‘Earth in Your Hands’ offers a more representational interpretation of a macaw, albeit with the same unrestrained splashes of colour that define her work.

Sofia said: ‘I think my mental health has improved in adulthood. When I was a teenager, I never really found the help I needed, but now when I’m down, I’m able to help myself get back up. I see a little bit of light in my work now, especially in the animal paintings. I see more of what I want to see in the world from animals than I do from people. I don't understand people and neither do animals, and perhaps that’s why I feel a connection.’

Beautiful World

As well as painting prolifically – averaging two paintings a week – Sofia is developing her skills with iPad drawings, which have a clear Japanese anime influence. She hopes to develop a website and social media pages too, while continuing her association with Rocket Artists and Outside In. Sofia said: ‘My dream is to have my own dog, as I’ve always wanted one, and make a career out of being an artist. One day, I hope to see the world as a beautiful thing, like the world I could see as a child.’

WORDS: BEN MORRIS

PHOTOS: ALAN WRIGHT/SOFIA TUOMINEN

Further information:

For more about Rocket Artists visit rocketartists.co.uk

You can also see Sofia’s work at: outsidein.org.uk/galleries/urmasdejormas/

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