Katrina (Katharina) Sjöberg, textile artist, will be participating in a three-woman show opening on Jan. 31 at 18:30 at the Ateljé Torni in Vaasa, Finland.  This is her first show for the 2012 season and she is showing nine new textile art wall pieces. There are several new methods, such as collage work with her own photography printed on fabrics.  Many pieces are designed and sewn on her own hand-painted fabrics which are featured or used as background pieces.  Fanciful bird decorations as well as whimsical fantasy figures are included in the exhibition which closes on Feb. 19. Ms. Sjöberg has won numerous awards for her designs since beginning her artistic path in 2004 when she opened a studio while living in Southern California. She moved to her hometown, Vaasa, in 2010 where she works out of her loft apartment-studio. The gallery is closed on Mondays and Fridays, otherwise open from 13-17:00 every day. Ateljé Torni is located on Pitkäkatu 66 in Vaasa. [Announcement - Katrina Sjoberg - 2Ko - 2012]

A New Year, A Special Year? Many of those interested in psychic things have suggested that this year will be a special year in the history of mankind. According to various ancient calendars, many things will happen this year, all over the world. [Page - Katrina Sjoberg - 3Ko - 2012]

Two Ladies by the Seaside When I sit at the computer in my loft/atelier apartment I can look at two of my largest artworks on the tall wall in front of me. They are called 'Spring Has Sprung' and 'Two Ladies by the Seaside'. [Page - Katrina Sjoberg - 3Ko - 2011]

O Son of Love! Inspiration from the Baha'i Writings I had this image in my sketchbook but no idea of what style or which fabrics to use. [Page - Katrina Sjoberg - 2Ko - 2011]

The Miracle of Everything Some thoughts on miracles here and now. [Page - Katrina Sjoberg - 3Ko - 2011]

Another beautiful day Enjoying living in Vasa even when it gets really dark in the winter. [Page - Katrina Sjoberg - 2Ko - 2011]

A grey day, a Sunday morning, a wonderful view and no inspiration How grateful I am to have my studio-apartment to work in. [Page - Katrina Sjoberg - 1Ko - 2011]

Early morning in my studio My first thoughts for these pages [Page - Katrina Sjoberg - 2Ko - 2011]

Artist's Statement As an artist always looking for inspiration, I turn to nature over and over. Whether I'm working with hundreds of tiny fabric squares trying to find just the right shade of color, a different hue or tone, I seem to gravitate to all fabrics depicting natural settings of trees, bushes, and flowers, usually finding the exact color I need. And, oh, how I love colors, all colors of the Universe! I draw upon memories from growing up in the beautiful, still unspoiled country of Finland, with its thousands upon thousands of lakes and islands. The fresh scent of spring as the birch leaves are budding, the brilliant colors of the first yellow dandelions or daisies, and, of course, the purple lilac hedges at midsummer.  Hiking through forests in the autumn gave me a tremendous appreciation and sense of awe seeing all the hundreds, perhaps thousands of colors of the maple leaves. My intent with my fabric art pieces, be they decorative or functional, abstract or realistic, landscapes or abstracts, is to bring my vision of beauty to a world that's losing more and more of its natural environment. The fabric medium is highly visual and tactile at the same time, satisfying the need to create by synthesizing various design and textural elements simultaneously. As I continue exploring various surface techniques, such as painting with fabric paints on a seemingly finished art piece and adding embellishments or freeform machine quilting to handbags, I'm learning more and more what moves me deeply to begin yet another project. At this point in my life, I have no other choice but to follow my inner yearnings to be involved in the creative process every day. I sincerely hope that my artworks, be they impressionist, abstract, freeform or textured, will resonate with those who view them so much so that the viewers will be stopped in their tracks and gasp at all the wonderful colors and images before them. Katrina  Holy City of the Heart in progress   and a few words about my background....  ART RESUME – Katharina Sjöberg   ART EDUCATION AND BACKGROUND: 1966   Graduated from high school in Vasa, Finland. Extensive art education for 10 years, involving everything from sewing by hand and on a machine, sewing from clothes patterns, embroidery, knitting, and tatting. Lots of exposure to art via museum excursions, guest artist/teachers, and classes in drawing, sculpting, watercolor and other media. 1970-1972 Various design classes at San Diego State University, including fashion design draping. Also volunteered in hanging art shows for the Center for Women’s Studies. SELECTED EXPERIENCES WORKING WITH ART: 1970-1981 Set up and worked hands-on with husband in Pottery Studio; mixed glazes, applied designs, loaded kilns for firing pottery; sold various pottery items at regular art shows throughout the year. 1970-1973 Began studying weaving on a loom with a Guild Member; continued for several years. 1981-1985 Worked independently for various art galleries in San Diego, providing corporations and business with various art pieces for lobbies and offices. 1998 –2002 Began creating and producing art quilts at home. 2003 – current Rented studio space, continued producing art quilts and utilizing my own designs for wall hangings as well as functional items. 2008 - current. Renting studio-atelier-loft, producing art quilts using my handpainted fabrics and designs. All kinds of embellishments. SHOWS AND AWARDS: 2003 Oceana Arts League Annual Show      Received 2nd place ribbon 2004 Oceana Arts League Annual Show       Received Honorable Mention El Camino Quilters’ Annual Show                  Received 2nd and 3rd place ribbons Oceana Arts League Annual Show                    Received Best of Show ribbon 2004 One-woman exhibit of 17 wall hangings at Cut Loose Fashion Boutique, Solana Beach, CA. 2005 Quilts am Hori, Germany, international show (Beads N' Whiskers & Steps to Enlightenment) 2005 Sacred Threads, Reynoldsburg, OH, national show (Steps to Enlightenment) 2005 World Council for the Arts Multi-media show, San Francisco, CA. (African Savanna) 2005 El Camino Quilters' Annual Show, Carlsbad, CA (Lost Continents) 2005 Oceana Arts League Annual Show    Received 1st place ribbon (Steps to Enlightenment) 2006 American Quilting Society, Ohio, (Strings) 2006 Ricky Tims Art Gallery, LaVeta, CO.  Miniature triptych challenge "Tree of Life" 2007 Group exhibit; Vasa Konstklubb, Vasa, Finland 2008 Group exhibit; Free Spirits Artquilters, Carlsbad, CA. 2008 Group exhibit; El Camino Quilters, Vista, CA. 2009 Group exhibit; Free Spirits Artquilters, Rancho Adobe Gallery, Vista, CA. 2009 Solo exhibit: Vasa Konstklubb, Vasa, Finland 2009 Group exhibition, Vasa Konstklubb, Vasa, Finland 2010 Group exhibition, Free Spirits Artquilters, Carlsbad, CA. 2010 Group exhibition, Vasa Konstklubb, Vasa, Finland 2010 Solo exhibition, Närpes, Finland 2010 Solo exhibition, Vasa, Finland 2011 Solo exhibition, Korsholm, Finland 2011 Group exhibition, Free Spirits Artquilters, Carlsbad, CA. 2011 Group exhibition, Vasa Konstklubb, Vasa, Finland 2012 Shared exhibition, Vasa Konstklubb, Vasa, Finland 2012 Solo exhibition, Närpes, Finland 2012 Solo exhibition, Bragegården, Vasa, Finland 2012 Solo exhibition, Ateljé Katrina, Vasa, Finland ORGANIZATIONS: 2004 Joined El Camino Quilters Guild, Oceanside, CA. 2004 Joined Studio Art Quilters Association, Santa Fe, NM. 2004 Joined QuiltVisions Art Association, San Diego, CA. 2004-current Volunteer Docent at the Oceanside Museum of Art, Oceanside, CA. 2006 Joined Vasa Konstklubb, Vasa, Finland 2008 Joined Närpes Konstklubb, Närpes, Finland   [Biography - Katrina Sjoberg - 16Ko]