Sketching Suomenlinna, Finnish Art & Moomins | A Creative Journey
Sam Marshall Art
18,069 views
For the rest of my Helsinki trip, I packed quite a lot in.
On my second day, I started at the Ateneum Art Museum, which I’d heard so much about. I really enjoyed wandering around the permanent collection and getting a proper introduction to Finnish art, but one of my favourite discoveries was an exhibition of work by Eero Nelimarkka, an artist I’d never come across before. I absolutely loved his paintings.
After that, I jumped on a tram out to Sibelius Park and headed to Café Regatta, which I’d really wanted to draw. I found myself a spot, got everything out and started sketching while it was still quite cloudy. Then, of course, the sun came out and it suddenly got very hot, so the drawing didn’t get quite as far as I’d hoped. But I loved sitting there, watching everything going on around me.
The next morning I checked out of my first hotel, dropped my bags at Hotel Pier 4 and took the ferry over to Suomenlinna. I loved it there. The ferry ride itself was beautiful, and the island had such a lovely atmosphere, with all those wonderful old houses and the dramatic coastline. It was incredibly windy, but I managed a couple of drawings and made some very persistent seagull friends along the way.
Back in Helsinki, I checked into my new hotel, which was beautiful. Very simple, minimal and wonderfully Finnish. I did try my luck asking for an upgrade, and apparently I would have got one if they hadn’t been completely full!
Later, I went to HAM because I wanted to see the permanent display of work by Tove Jansson and her family. I’m glad I went, although I think my favourite thing might actually have been the enormous seagull outside the gallery.
That evening I went for dinner at Savotta, a Finnish restaurant right by the cathedral. I had the most delicious salmon salad, but I think the real star was the incredible bread and whipped butter.
On my final morning I went out for a run, had a lovely breakfast at the hotel and then walked over to Helsinki Cathedral. I had planned to sit and draw it, but it was so bright and sunny, with absolutely no shade, that I admitted defeat.
Instead, I went to Kiasma, Helsinki’s contemporary art museum, which happened to be free that Friday and was absolutely packed.
From there I headed to Oodi, Helsinki’s incredible central library. I absolutely loved it. Such a brilliant building, full of people and life, and with such a lovely atmosphere.
And then I took the tram down to the Design District and visited the Design Museum, where there was a Moomin exhibition that turned out to be one of the absolute highlights of the whole trip. It was beautifully curated and genuinely felt like stepping into the Moomin world. I loved every minute of it.
And somehow, the perfect way to finish Helsinki was with a very good frozen yoghurt.
So that’s it from my few days in Helsinki. I hope you’ve enjoyed coming along with me. I’ve absolutely loved exploring the city, discovering some new artists, doing a bit of drawing and generally getting a little taste of Finland.
Follow along for more travels, art and adventures.
20 Comments
Edit: i got ahead of myself, so happy you found the second exhibition. 😊
Every painting/drawing must be something very special and must be closer to yourself in so many ways .
Sketching Suomenlinna, Finnish Art & Moomins | A Creative Journey
Sam Marshall Art
18,069 views
For the rest of my Helsinki trip, I packed quite a lot in.
On my second day, I started at the Ateneum Art Museum, which I’d heard so much about. I really enjoyed wandering around the permanent collection and getting a proper introduction to Finnish art, but one of my favourite discoveries was an exhibition of work by Eero Nelimarkka, an artist I’d never come across before. I absolutely loved his paintings.
After that, I jumped on a tram out to Sibelius Park and headed to Café Regatta, which I’d really wanted to draw. I found myself a spot, got everything out and started sketching while it was still quite cloudy. Then, of course, the sun came out and it suddenly got very hot, so the drawing didn’t get quite as far as I’d hoped. But I loved sitting there, watching everything going on around me.
The next morning I checked out of my first hotel, dropped my bags at Hotel Pier 4 and took the ferry over to Suomenlinna. I loved it there. The ferry ride itself was beautiful, and the island had such a lovely atmosphere, with all those wonderful old houses and the dramatic coastline. It was incredibly windy, but I managed a couple of drawings and made some very persistent seagull friends along the way.
Back in Helsinki, I checked into my new hotel, which was beautiful. Very simple, minimal and wonderfully Finnish. I did try my luck asking for an upgrade, and apparently I would have got one if they hadn’t been completely full!
Later, I went to HAM because I wanted to see the permanent display of work by Tove Jansson and her family. I’m glad I went, although I think my favourite thing might actually have been the enormous seagull outside the gallery.
That evening I went for dinner at Savotta, a Finnish restaurant right by the cathedral. I had the most delicious salmon salad, but I think the real star was the incredible bread and whipped butter.
On my final morning I went out for a run, had a lovely breakfast at the hotel and then walked over to Helsinki Cathedral. I had planned to sit and draw it, but it was so bright and sunny, with absolutely no shade, that I admitted defeat.
Instead, I went to Kiasma, Helsinki’s contemporary art museum, which happened to be free that Friday and was absolutely packed.
From there I headed to Oodi, Helsinki’s incredible central library. I absolutely loved it. Such a brilliant building, full of people and life, and with such a lovely atmosphere.
And then I took the tram down to the Design District and visited the Design Museum, where there was a Moomin exhibition that turned out to be one of the absolute highlights of the whole trip. It was beautifully curated and genuinely felt like stepping into the Moomin world. I loved every minute of it.
And somehow, the perfect way to finish Helsinki was with a very good frozen yoghurt.
So that’s it from my few days in Helsinki. I hope you’ve enjoyed coming along with me. I’ve absolutely loved exploring the city, discovering some new artists, doing a bit of drawing and generally getting a little taste of Finland.
Follow along for more travels, art and adventures.