I’m a simple person with a Spartan lifestyle. I think I spend 20 hours per day in solitude, which is of course painful at times, but mostly it’s actually very pleasant. It has been like this for the last 4 years or so, I’m used to it (laughs). I need my distance from society and people, otherwise I can feel lost, stressed and confused. I easily become frustrated if I don’t do what I believe to be meaningful to me. So my priority is always to do what I want and need.

To me, Japanese Art is a very important influence. Not only in that obvious way of beautiful design and form, but for what is hidden underneath! Before studying Japanese Art I learned some valuable principles from Taoism and Buddhism. I listened to Tao Te Ching almost every day on my iPod. It changed my life completely and I can recommend all people in the world to read it because it is such an eye opener. It became more obvious to me as I actually learned similar things later when I was studying Japanese Arts, but in the context of making art. The Ink wash paintings and the Noh theatre are examples of this. The main thing is space. Until I was 22 I had not realised or even experienced what space was like and how fundamentally important it is for inspiration. Through meditation and studying, I learned and experienced it. It’s a great discovery for me and I hope it can be felt in my work.

At the moment I just reply, “I do what I want for a living.” I try to avoid talking too much about my work because it bores other people. Okay, if someone is genuinely interested then of course, I will tell them about it.

I used to have essential references but they are not so obvious anymore. Before, I mainly got inspired by other’s art and visual beauty, but now music and visualisation are two major ways to get new ideas. Traveling abroad also makes me very stimulated and inspired. I have to say it’s the best thing I know. When everything you look at is fresh, it is also easier to find beauty in it.

It came natural to me a couple of years ago to make illustrations, because I needed to develop my style. When I get to a certain point, I look at my present and previous work as a preparation for a bigger task, like some sort of level of skill that I must achieve before I can start with the real deal. It’s like if the mature part of me was not yet satisfied with the result so far, so I have to keep on doing this until I reach a limit good enough. The next step for me is more traditional.

Calm is the most common feedback from people, indeed. I guess calm is something positive. At least, it’s something I strive for every day. Sweden is peaceful and quiet most of the time, compared to many other places. Cities and landscapes are often covered by thick layers of clouds, which create a constant grey filter that dim all colours naturally. If you take feelings and add some eastern thoughts, you might be pretty close to a description of my artwork.

I constantly hunt for experiences that give me deep satisfaction. It works like being a creator with total freedom in a video game. From there on, I imagine elements of architecture, environments, water, and add symmetry and characters. I do it to create some sort of scenery that I feel I enjoy being in. It becomes a nice playground.

I cannot handle it. So I have figured out it is better to focus the entire energy on becoming a successful artist and live on crumbs and water, instead of compromising and losing my creative hunger.

It’s a big range of different kinds of people that purchase my things. I’m really happy that my artwork can reach all ages.

Not at the moment, but it will be in the future.

I work with some illustrations and I sketch a lot every day. I went to Japan earlier this year and took lots of notes and recordings there. I will create pieces related to that last journey and my present state of mind. Parallel to that, I am creating house models. I have realised that it is the funniest thing I have ever done since I played with Lego. So hopefully I can exhibit my house models one day too!