Epic fantasy by Finnish artist Ielis Kuttanen

Scandinavian mythology is one of the most complex and rich in characters and events. It is incredibly interesting to follow the vicissitudes of the destinies of its gods and heroes. It's no surprise that these stories inspire contemporary artists such as Eelis Kyttanen from Finland.

Ielis Kuttanen is a talented young illustrator born and raised in Finland. Now he lives and works in Canada, but does not change the main theme of his work. Almost all of the master’s works are dedicated to the legends and tales of his homeland.

Ielis Kuttanen creates paintings and digital illustrations that you can't tear yourself away from. He grew up among the amazing Finnish nature and from early childhood, like a sponge, he absorbed the fairy tales and myths of his harsh country.

It is difficult for a person who is not familiar with Finnish folklore to understand what is happening in Ielis’s paintings. Its heroes are ancient forest gods, mountain spirits and brave warriors fighting on the side of good. We can say with confidence that Ielis’ illustrations will not leave anyone indifferent, because they are filled with action and mysterious images.

The artist is known mainly for his fantasy paintings. He even took part in the creation of the Netflix series “The Dragon Prince.” But Kuttenen admits that in his free time he also paints landscapes, including urban ones. Perhaps someday we will learn about this side of his talent.

Illustrations for Scandinavian epics were also created by the Swedish artist Jon Bauer, who lived a hundred years ago.