Lea Karvala: From Entrepreneur to Abstract Expressionist Painter

Finnish artist Lea Karvala, a former entrepreneur, has developed a painting practice rooted in abstract expressionism after a career shift during a family business transition. Her work, primarily in acrylic, is shaped by a visual perception disorder that prevents photorealistic representation, leading her to rely on emotion, memory, and intuition. Key influences include Finnish painter Helene Schjerfbeck. Karvala's painting 'We Will Meet Again' (acrylic and paste on canvas) emerged from personal grief and symbolizes resilience. She depicts nature and cities as separate worlds—urban landscapes empty of people, nature untouched by urban elements—expressing a desire for harmony. Karvala studied under several Finnish art teachers for over a decade and exhibits in Finland and internationally.