Village artist / Artista del pueblo / Artiste villageois

February 27, 2011

Village artist / Artista del pueblo / Artiste villageois

Filed under: All art pics,Carved animals,Village artist,Wooden art — Sartenada @ 08:42
Tags: Art (paintings only), art d’églises, art du bois, Arte, arte de iglesias, arte en madera, Artista de pueblo, Artista del Pueblo, Artiste de Village, Artiste villageois, BBQ hut, Finland, finland art, Finlande, Finlandia, Finnish art, gazebo en bois, Lapland, Laponia, Laponie, Ostrobotnia, Ostrobotnie, Pornainen, Village artist, wooden art, wooden paintings

In English:

Artist’s background.

Village artist Matti Ahonen retired a couple of years ago. He is living in a small village called Pornainen, made art from wood. He built himself his detached house and gazebo / BBQ hut. His inspiration he got from nature, landscapes, history, bell towers, churches, literature and from our mythology. The material he used, he collected from woods.

During summer he made long road trips all over Finland. During these trips he slept many nights in his car. He awoke early, continued his trip and started to photograph all what he thought he could use in his art later during long winter months. There were two areas in Finland which he loved most of all and these can be seen in his works. These where plains of Ostrobothnia and Lapland. In Ostrobothnia one can find beautiful wooden churches with separate bell towers. Also in connection to these churches are Poor Man Statues. They are unique in the whole world. Lapland, which is the most Northern part of Finland, inspired him very much. He loved the silence of the nature and the lonely Northern fjelds.

When looking at first time his “paintings”, one might think that they are painting. No. All is done from wood, from very tiny pieces of wood and then painted with appropriate colors which fit the theme of the art piece. He knew how to take advantage of wood grains in his works. I cropped some photos to show some more details in his works. Of course, his works were exhibited in many places and sold to the people who liked this kind of art. This year he celebrates his 75th birthday.

En español:

Artista de pueblo.

Artista del pueblo Matti Ahonen se retiró hace un par de años. Vive en un pequeño pueblo llamado Pornainen, hizo el arte enmadera. Él construyó su casa individual y gazebo. Su inspiración recibió de la naturaleza, paisajes, historia, campanarios, iglesias, la literatura y de nuestra mitología. El material que utiliza, lo obtuvo de los bosques.

Durante el verano, hizo largos viajes por carretera en todas partes de la Finlandia. Durante estos viajes se durmió muchas noches en su carro. Se despertó temprano, continuó su viaje y comenzó a fotografiar todo lo que él pensó que podría utilizar en su arte más tarde, durante largos meses de invierno. Hay dos regiones en Finlandia, que amaba sobre todas las cosas y estos se pueden ver en sus obras. Estos son llanuras de Ostrobotnia y la Laponia. En Ostrobotnia se pueden encontrar hermosas iglesias en madera con campanarios separados. También en relación a estas iglesias hay estatuas de Pobre Hombre. Son únicas en el mundo entero. La Laponia, que sitúa en la parte más al norte de Finlandia, le inspiró mucho. Le gustaba el silencio de la naturaleza y los páramos árticos solitarios del Norte.

Al mirar por primera vez sus “pinturas”, se podría pensar que están pintandos. No. Todas están hechas en madera, a partir de piezas muy pequeñas de madera y pintadas con colores apropiados que se ajustan al tema de la obra de arte. Supo aprovechar las granos de madera en sus obras. Recortado algunas fotos para mostrar más detalles en sus obras. Por supuesto, sus obras fueron expuestas en muchos lugares y los vendío a las personas que les gustaban este tipo de arte. Este año celebra sus 75 cumpleaños.

En francais:

Artiste de village.

Artiste villageois Matti Ahonen retirait il y a d’un couple d’années. Il vivait dans un petit village appelé Pornainen, faisait de l’art du bois. Il a construit lui-même sa maison individuelle et son pavillon. Son inspiration, il a obtenu de la nature, des paysages, l’histoire, les clochers, les églises, la littérature et de notre mythologie. Le matériel qu’il a utilisé, il a ramassé dans les bois.

Pendant l’été, il conduisait les longs voyages dans toute la Finlande. Au cours de ces voyages, il a dormi plusieurs nuits dans sa voiture. Il se réveillait tôt, a continué son voyage et a commencé à photographier tous ce qu’il a pensait qu’il pourrait utiliser dans son art plus tard au cours de longs mois d’hiver. Il y avait deux zones de la Finlande qu’il aimait le plus; tout ça peut être vu dans ses œuvres. Les plaines d’Ostrobotnie, et la Laponie. En Ostrobotnie on peut trouver de belles églises du bois avec des clochers séparés. Toujours dans le cadre de ces églises il y a des Statues de Pauvres d’Hommes. Elles sont uniques dans le monde entier. La Laponie, qui est une région septentrionale de la Finlande, ça lui a inspiré beaucoup. Il aimait le silence de la nature et les solitaires montagnes du Nord.

Lorsque on regarde la première fois ses “peintures”, on pourrait penser qu’ils sont la peinture. Non. Tout est fait à partir de bois, des morceaux minuscules de bois, puis peint avec des couleurs appropriées qui correspondent au thème de l’œuvre d’art. Il a su utiliser les grains de bois dans ses œuvres. J’ai découpé quelques photos pour voir mieux quelques détails dans ses œuvres. Bien sûr, ses œuvres ont été exposées dans de nombreux endroits et ont vendu à la population qui ont aimé ce genre d’art. Cette année il fête son 75ème anniversaire.

Village artist / Artista del pueblo / Artiste villageois

Comments (49)

49 Comments »

I am overwhelmed with Matti’s art! Besides his great art skills, his work displays that he has a great love and a reverence for wood, things that I share with him. His work is beautiful and amazing!

Comment by montucky — February 27, 2011 @ 09:15 | Reply
- Hello Montucky.
  
  I love too his art and those three last photos are showing the “Poor Woman”, is typical we have beside of our churches. Poor man statues are beggars made from wood and there are 106 them and only one woman. This is not very similar that is beside the church of Soini, but he made it from his mind. I bought it from it and put it on the wall of our fireplace room.
  
  Thank You. Have a happy Sunday!
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 27, 2011 @ 09:32 | Reply
Please tell Matti that my mouth is hanging open as I stare in amazement at these: the detail in the trees, figures, houses,… wow, wow!
wooden_art_by_matti_ahonen_finland_-24 stuck out as a favourite… amazing! and I would happily buy that one!
The craftsmanship is beautiful and the talent is clear to see, great photos 🙂

Comment by kiwidutch — February 27, 2011 @ 11:21 | Reply
- Hi Kiwidutch.
  
  Thank commenting. Well, number 24 is presenting churning of butter from milk. There is a cradle and a grandfather clock. When I was young, hmm too many years, our neighbor churned butter in real life. Those grandfather clocks are yet very popular here. In the nearby town, there are winter courses to make them. To make a one, it takes all the winter.
  
  This photo which You selected is showing very well how beautiful wood can be. That can be seen at the right side frames.
  
  Happy Sunday!
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 27, 2011 @ 11:49 | Reply
What a superb village here… A wonderful series, as usual 🙂 Have a great sunday 🙂

Comment by Tamara — February 27, 2011 @ 13:22 | Reply
- Hi Tamara.
  
  So nice to read that You liked my photos. Thank You for Your visit and leaving nice comment.
  
  Have a wonderful day!
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 27, 2011 @ 14:33 | Reply
Hi Matti,

Thank you for sharing these beautiful works of art with the rest of the world. Your skill with the camera is matched by Uncle’s skill of wood working. His attention to detail is fantastic. I love the miniatures of the bell towers, they are so striking.

Thanks again,
Roberta

Comment by Roberta Aho-Annala — February 27, 2011 @ 15:19 | Reply
- Hello Roberta.
  
  Those kinds of miniature bell towers the artist made may “hundreds”, because people living far away from their childhood’s home wanted some special reminiscence from their childhood. Some people ordered from him them. Photos 41 and 42 are also ordered by the wife of person in art work. So the person who celebrated his 50 years and then artwork had to present something from his husband’s life. There are two things to be seen: summer cottage life and fishing, not to forget his dog. I guess that this kind ordered art works were very popular.
  
  Happy Sunday!
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 27, 2011 @ 15:50 | Reply
Another fantastic post. What an exciting subject! Matti Ahonen is obviously an accomplished artist with wood, the details are quite exceptional, especially in the picture on photos 41 and 42. The trees, the fish, the garden, the creases on his shirt, even the man’s face and eyes looking at you. I like the impressive sculpture in photo 9. I remember you had a poor man statue outside one of your churches. I don’t think I realised that they were boxes for money – I see a slot in these. The one you have of the poor woman – I thought she was smoking a pipe, but that will be a slot? Photo 11 looks like Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol. I do love a Blog where I am transported to another country and learn something new. Thank you on this snowy Sunday morning.

Comment by jackiequeen — February 27, 2011 @ 15:39 | Reply
- Hi Jackie.
  
  I just explained more precisely photos 41 and 42. I check it, and it is not a pipe but the slot where one puts coins, so You were right.
  
  I am very glad that my post pleased to You.
  
  Have wonderful Sunday!
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 27, 2011 @ 15:57 | Reply
Those are amazing! I can hardly comprehend the time and attention to detail that goes into each one of those pieces of artwork. # 38-40 are my favorites though–that little cabin looks just like the tiny cabin I grew up in.

Comment by kateri — February 27, 2011 @ 16:03 | Reply
- Hello Kateri.
  
  Thank You. Those photos You mentioned are showing some fells of Lapland. Lapland is beyond the Arctic circle. That kind of log cabins (houses) are / were quite typical there and mainly they are onboard some lake or river. When I hiked there I spent a night in that kind. We have on our hiking areas log cabins for hikers’ use to stay a night. The architecture of log cabin is very typical and yet today some people build them, but bigger. Houses made of logs are warm in winter and one can buy them delivered turnkey.
  
  It was really interesting to read that You grew up in a similar. How cute.
  
  Happy Sunday to You and Your family.
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 27, 2011 @ 18:27 | Reply
It is hard to believe that these gorgeous works of art are made of wood. The detail is both intricate and beautiful. Thank you for bringing these wonderful works of art to our attention.

Comment by seniorhiker — February 27, 2011 @ 18:09 | Reply
- Hi George.
  
  So nice that You appreciated the artists’ works. There are so many style of art in our world and this is one kind of it. Those “official art circles” have never appreciated wood works in my country until now. Nowadays there are summer times in some villages exhibitions of wood art. I enjoy that the diversity of art are noticed better and better in our days. Wood is beautiful and warm material.
  
  Thank You George for Your comment.
  
  Have a nice Sunday.
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 27, 2011 @ 18:37 | Reply
I love some of these pieces. I am especially drawn to the wood portraits of nature. Matti is an amazing artist.

Comment by Tammy McLeod — February 27, 2011 @ 20:54 | Reply
- Hello Tammy.
  
  So nice that You found some interesting items in my art post! Thank You for Your visit and leaving Your comment.
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 28, 2011 @ 08:19 | Reply
I enjoyed looking at each of these photos! My goodness, what an extremely talented artist! Yes, he knows his wood and can sing his vision into the shaping of the wood. I am so impressed! Thank you for sharing these. 🙂

Comment by Anna — February 27, 2011 @ 23:17 | Reply
- Hi Anna.
  
  Thank You Anna. I really felt that You liked them when reading Your comment. I think that wood is amazing material, if one knows how to handle it with good inner skill and vision to create art.
  
  Happy Monday!
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 28, 2011 @ 08:24 | Reply
Wow! Amazing works of art!

Comment by bigsmokephotog — February 27, 2011 @ 23:54 | Reply
- Hello bigsmokephotog.
  
  Thank You very much stopping here and leaving Your comment.
  
  Have a nice day.
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 28, 2011 @ 08:25 | Reply
Your photos reveal two very gifted individuals.

Comment by Preston — February 28, 2011 @ 05:14 | Reply
- Hi Preston.
  
  I am so glad that You liked them too. Well, You were using a very clever phrase, Thank You.
  
  Happy Monday to You and Anna.
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 28, 2011 @ 08:31 | Reply
  - Your welcome 🙂
    
    Comment by Preston Surface — February 28, 2011 @ 12:12 | Reply
I can imagine the amount of time and effort to produce these incredible and amazing wood art pieces..I love all of it, the details and colours are amazing…and your photography as well !
Thanks for sharing this wonderful composition. Have a lovely day!

Comment by Anne — February 28, 2011 @ 13:31 | Reply
- Hi Anne.
  
  It was so nice to read Your comment and I am very glad that this a little bit “special” art pleased You.
  
  Thank You very much.
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 28, 2011 @ 15:11 | Reply
Matti Ahonen is such a talented artist!
It’s amazing to see how many different objects he can create with his hands!
The owl can even fool pigeons to get away.
Thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures with us.
By the way, is this type of woodcraft common in Suomi?

Comment by London Caller — March 1, 2011 @ 13:04 | Reply
- Hello London Caller.
  
  Thank You. I should say that some exists, but not so many. Few years ago there were exhibitions in which one could see different styles of wood “tinkering” art works. Nowadays more popular are different wood art works made by chain saw. I still have two excellent posts to come during this spring in which I show better that about what I mean.
  
  Have a wonderful day!
  
  BTW, thank You remembering Suomi, which is Finland in Finnish.
  
  Comment by sartenada — March 1, 2011 @ 13:17 | Reply
Bonjour! Que de talent il y a dans ces oeuvres! Tout simplement fantastique! Je savais que les Finlandais étaient doués pour sculpter le bois, mais là, j’en suis éblouie. Merci de nous partager le talent de cet artiste, il nous rappel que l’art, avec un grand A, prend diverse forme.

Amitié, Anne

Comment by annejutras — March 5, 2011 @ 15:32 | Reply
- Bonjour Anne.
  
  Je suis heureux de savoir que tu l’as acceptée ça comme un art. Je suis très heureux en lisant tes belle paroles. Merci beaucoup.
  
  Je te souhaite un agréable weekend!
  
  Comment by sartenada — March 5, 2011 @ 15:41 | Reply
Merci Matti de nous faire découvrir de tels talents.
Bises

Comment by Marion B. — March 5, 2011 @ 16:24 | Reply
- Bonjour Marion.
  
  Il ya un proverbe finlandais: Mattis sont des hommes sur le pays, pas sur les mers! Nous sommes deux Mattis, moi et l’artiste. LOL. L’autre est un artiste et l’autre n’est pas.
  
  Belle journée.
  
  Comment by sartenada — March 6, 2011 @ 09:15 | Reply
I am a stamp collector so I know Finland is called Suomi.
I also have stamps from Aland.
A very special Finnish island where Swedish is the main language!!?

Comment by London Caller — March 7, 2011 @ 16:03 | Reply
- Hi London Caller.
  
  That’s great. Yes, Åland is very special island between Sweden and Finland. Main language is really Swedish.
  
  Thank Commenting.
  
  Comment by sartenada — March 7, 2011 @ 16:19 | Reply
Interesting photos – quite unique I think. I’ve not seen anything like it. Very cool.

Comment by incompletehistory — March 8, 2011 @ 15:47 | Reply
- Hello Incompletehistory.
  
  Thank You for Your visit and comment. Well, You might be right that they are unique.
  
  Happy Tuesday!
  
  Comment by sartenada — March 8, 2011 @ 16:43 | Reply
I love it! excellent work !

Comment by Sylvie — March 9, 2011 @ 16:52 | Reply
- Bonjour Sylvie.
  
  Merci de m’avoir fait un commentaire si gentil.
  
  Belle journée.
  
  Comment by sartenada — March 9, 2011 @ 16:56 | Reply
Absolutely incredible! I only wish I had known about Matti when I was still in Finland, having left just a fews days ago. But now there is another reason to return for a visit! And thank you for sharing this treasure. Someone said that if the bell towers (which led me to this site) were in Central Europe, the entire world would know about them. Similarly, I can truly say that if Matti were an artist in Italy or Germany, the whole world would know about him. His work is truly incredible.

Comment by Liisa Berg — December 18, 2012 @ 15:35 | Reply
- Thank You Liisa from Your very kind comment. Matti.
  
  Comment by Sartenada — December 18, 2012 @ 16:34 | Reply
What a great selection of art, he’s work is captured beautifully by you.
I have nominated you for a black and white photo challenge.

5 Day Black and White-Day 2

Comment by Tokeloshe — March 8, 2015 @ 04:52 | Reply
- Hi Linda.
  
  Thank You for nomination, but I do not accept any nominations since 2012. Read this, please:
  
  Blogger awards.
  
  I am so sorry.
  
  Happy Sunday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — March 8, 2015 @ 09:31 | Reply
  - I understand, it is no problem.
    
    Comment by Tokeloshe — March 8, 2015 @ 23:32 | Reply
    - Thank You. 🙂
      
      Comment by Sartenada — March 10, 2015 @ 11:22 | Reply
Another post I had missed…
Your photos are showing something I couldn’t even imagine…
I’m impressed by this form of art , so detailed and skilful , and love this touch of naïveté , too!
Thanks so much , dear Matti!

Comment by 76sanfermo — March 8, 2015 @ 09:30 | Reply
- Hi Anna.
  
  Locally he was appreciated but in Finland little known. We learnt from him travelling to the North of Finland and find the beauty of rugged North. As You saw he made scale models of bell towers and scale model of Poor-man statues. Now You can understand my love to these statues spread around Finland.
  
  Happy Sunday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — March 8, 2015 @ 09:48 | Reply
He must be extremely talented, that looks all so beautiful every details. I can imagine hard work but an amazing outcome. I have never seen such ‘paintings’- it is so impressive! Thank you for the link.

Comment by utesmile — September 11, 2019 @ 08:33 | Reply
- Ute. He is. I know him and he inspired me to travel across Finland and to find something unusual. He showed how beautiful are our wooden separated Bell towers. Those miniature Bell towers which he made are spread around in Finland inside churches in their vestibules.
  
  Beautiful bell towers in Finland
  
  Thank You.
  
  Comment by Sartenada — September 11, 2019 @ 10:00 | Reply
  - All those bell towers are incredible, all so different and lovely! Finland is one amazing out door museum!
    
    Comment by utesmile — September 11, 2019 @ 22:09 | Reply
    - Thank you, Ute, for your praising comment. Have a good day!
      
      Comment by Sartenada — September 12, 2019 @ 10:01 | Reply