Napa Illustrations

A new blog

2011-06-09T10:00:00.003+03:00

We have a new blog: http://napaillustrations.tumblr.com/

Olympic Posters Top 3

2011-03-12T16:04:00.006+02:00

3. Stockholm 1912

The Olympic games were introduced in ancient Greece, inventor of democracy and nude male wrestling. This Swedish-designed poster clearly tries to reflect these noble traditions, but avoids the full frontal issue by tastefully wrapping a fun yellow ribbon around the flag waving athlete's penis. This added a whole new festive element to the games, which apparently was the last one to issue solid gold medals. Good times.

2. Mexico 1968

Sweden was still relevant some fifty years later when the Swedish pentathlete Jans-Gunnar Liljenwall became the first Olympic athlete to be disqualified because of doping; apparently he had “several beers” just prior to competing. One wonders why, when he could have just stared at the poster of the event for a couple of minutes to achieve the same effect.

1. Montreal 1976

Nothing says “Olympic games” more than a gay beaver, right? At least that seems to be the thinking of the Canadian Olympic Committee at the time. Of course the colours could represent the continents as they do in the olympic rings... but in the Olympic spirit of nude men wrestling I'm going to go with my ”gay beaver” interpretation anyway.

How's this for a fun fact though: Princess Anne of the United Kingdom (member of her country's equestrian team) was the only female competitor of these games not to submit to a sex test, introduced ten years earlier after the suspicion that several of the best women athletes from the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe were actually men. Gay old times.

Tv-resistori cover by Elina and Jaakko

2011-03-11T16:07:00.002+02:00

Turku based pop group Tv-resistori is releasing their third LP in April. Yrjö commissioned me to make the cover art for their self titled release already in 2008 but then things like babies and solo projects happened among the group and the process was put on hold for over two years. I compiled the covers in January 2011 from various pencil drawings that I made with Jaakko Pallasvuo. / Elina

Jenni Rope: Cutters/Cork

2011-02-02T14:59:00.005+02:00

Jenni Rope's art work will be part of the Cutters/Cork exhibition taking place in West Cork Art Centre, Ireland from February 5th to March 12th.

"Cutters/Cork has already being flagged by the Sunday Times newspaper as a 'must see' exhibition and is certainly one of the most exciting exhibitions at West Cork Art Centre in 2011. It is a showcase for the exhilarating and newly invigorated art form of collage. Featuring the work of more than 50 international artists and possibly up to 300 artworks, american artist James Gallagher has brought them all together in Cutters/Cork to illustrate the range and depth of collage taking place to today."

If you happen to be in Ireland, this is definitely worth seeing! Go Jenni!

Full list of the artists and more info: http://www.westcorkartscentre.com/

Terhi Ekebom / Comics-Art!

2011-01-31T09:44:00.012+02:00

Terhi Ekebom made a stunning wall painting for Comics-Art! exhibition. Exhibition, located in Art Center Kasarmi/Tuusula Illustrative Art Museum, celebrates 100 years of Finnish comics.

Open till 22.5.2011, so there's plenty of time to see ;)

See how the painting was build from here. Photos from the opening party on Napa Agency's Flickr.

2011, the year of DIY

2011-01-01T21:18:00.007+02:00

Looks like Napa Illustration's services won't be needed this year with calendars like this in the shops. Or should that be the other way around?

The cover artwork isn't setting the standards too high either. But aren't they missing a trick by not leaving it blank?

Ho ho ho!

2010-12-30T17:22:00.002+02:00

Napa Illustrations wishes y'all a merry christmas, and an illustrative new year!

Jenni Rope / Pienen iltahetki

2010-12-21T10:10:00.013+02:00

Jenni Rope illustrated this beautiful CD booklet for The Parish Union of Helsinki. The CD booklet, commissioned by Dynamo Advertising, consists a CD, a songbook and a poster. Pienen iltahetki CD is given as a gift for Helsinkian families with newly born babies.

Jenni, what was the brief of the commission?

"The brief was to make record cover illustration for a CD booklet of traditional children's songs remakes."

What kind of technique did you use for this work?

"The art director Jere Saulivaara suggested me one of my techniques, the pencil texture drawing style. I was happy to go with it, as I hadn't used it for a couple of years. Illustrating something like angels and Christian symbols felt easy for me with this style. I added some collage bits to the style to make it more colorful and happy."

You were asked to make a remake of this traditional painting of angel guiding two little kids over the bridge. Was it hard to make your own version of it?

"First I thought it would be a tough one, but actually when I got into it, it came out very fresh I think. To some parts of it I was working with a light table and some part I went just freehand. It's a bit different looking than my drawings usually and I was surprised that it felt good doing it."

How was the commission in over all?

"This work was very interesting and challenging for me. I'm happy with the result! The booklet is sent to thousands of Helsinkian families with newly born babies and I guess a lot of people will be looking at it and listening to it. I'm sure it will be a nice present for them.

The CD booklet is part of the Pienelle parasta campaign. Jenni has also illustrated the web site and brochure for the campaign.

Terhi Ekebom / Multicoloured Dreams

2010-12-14T10:11:00.004+02:00

Have you noticed that construction site walls in Helsinki look somehow nicer than usually? It might have something to do with Multicoloured Dreams, a visual movement taking over the temporary constructions and fabrications and turning them as street art galleries.

Our illustrator Terhi Ekebom was asked to participate in Multicoloured Dreams' project Serie 2-Miesten Viiko. Go and check out Terhi's wall painting Palikkakaupunki on Kiseleff's house construction site wall, right next to The Senate Square.

http://mcdreams.wordpress.com/

New arrivals at the Kasper Stromman Exclusive Webshop

2010-12-12T20:30:00.003+02:00

With christmas just around the corner, what better way to do your christmas shoppping than by clicking your way to the Kasper Stromman Exclusive Webshop? With new and exciting products hand picked by Mr. Stromman himself, the discerning customer will be sure not to leave the site empty handed.

“Our clientele will no doubt be more than pleased byt these new arrivals” muses Kasper Stromman, “so much in fact, that we feel this new range of goods is almost like a christmas present in itself”.

This enchanted yuletide journey starts at www.kasperstromman.com.

Jenni Rope / The Open Daybook

2010-12-08T10:23:00.023+02:00

Jenni Rope was invited to design one page for The Open Daybook, published by Mark Batty Publishers in November 2010. All the original work from the book will be also exhibited at LACE in Los Angeles from January 5, 2011.

"The Open Daybook, edited by David P. Earle, is both compilation of original art work and a functional perpetual calendar. Over the course of a single year, three hundred and sixty five artists were assigned a date and given 24 hours to create a work of art. Each artist's day is a page in the book. The design of each dated page allows users to record their life and engage artistically with this diverse array of wonderful artists."

NYC launch at Printed Matter - Saturday, December 11th, 5 - 7pm

http://www.davidpearle.com/theopendaybook

Elina's animation in Kiasma-teatteri

2010-11-24T19:22:00.009+02:00

Stage Fright (drawn animation, 2 min, 2008)
by Elina Minn
1.12 at 18.00 / Kiasma-teatteri
In a screening of short art films dealing with stage and performance.
More info here

Psst, it's free.

Jenni Rope: Paintings / Napa Galleria 27.10. – 27.11.2010

2010-11-11T01:49:00.000+02:00

Jenni Rope: Paintings / 27.10. – 27.11.2010

“Laita siihen, että kun Nukku-Matti meni sateisenharmaana loppukesän päivänä metsäretkelle, poimi oksia ja kukkia ja sieniä, maalasi ne, leikkasi maalauksen silpuksi, meni nukkumaan, näki unta puusta ja vuoresta, käveli unissaan silpun luokse ja liimasi palaset paperille, niin siinä on Jenni Ropen työ.” –Anonyymi ystävä

Viimeisen vuoden aikana Ropen töitä on nähty vain ulkomailla. My Forest-maalaussarja on kiertänyt Chicagossa, Berliinissä ja Tokiossa. Napa Gallerian näyttely esittelee näistä näyttelyistä valikoidun kokoelman akryyli- ja kollaasimaalauksia sekä miniveistoksia.

Napa Galleria
Eerikinkatu 18
Helsinki

Avoinna ke-pe 12-18, la 12-16

www.jennirope.com
www.napabooks.com

Tigertime!

2010-11-03T16:37:00.006+02:00

You're not one of ”those people” who think it's lame to exhibit in a library, are you? Well think again, because how often do you get to see artwork this classy, anywhere? That's right, not very often.

How fun then that Kasper is displaying some “roaring” artwork from his children's book Tigerkontoret at Rikhardinkadun kirjasto this month. Think about it; you could borrow a book on some interesting subject while you're there anyway. That can't be a bad thing.

Esteban at the Helsinki Book Fair

2010-10-29T23:10:00.003+03:00

Tomorrow there's the rare chance to hear Kasper talk about his book Kiitos Esteban 2002–2010 at the Helsinki Book Fair. So rare in fact that it will happen twice: one o'clock at the Comics Society stand and five o'clock at the Kirjakahvila stage.

Kaspers regrets to announce that long time friend and collaborator Bo Hager couldn't make it to the fair, but he might read an open letter from the the man instead. How exciting is that?

Pauliina Mäkelä: Supermarsu

2010-10-25T13:38:00.003+03:00

VISU Gallery is exhibiting Napa illustrator Pauliina Mäkelä’s works in November. Exhibition is showing Pauliina’s illustrations made for the popular book series Supermarsu, written by Paula Noronen.

Exhibition is part of the children’s and juvenile’s Loistavaa! event and will be open from October 30 to January 27.

Welcome to opening party on Sat 30.10. from 2-4 pm!

Visu Galleria, Pormestarinkatu 2, 67100 Kokkola

Open Tue-Wed, Fri-Sat 12-16 & Thu 16-20

www.pauliinamakela.com

JANNE HARJU, designer of the Valentine's Day stamps 2011!!

2010-10-05T13:12:00.004+03:00

Take a look at the cool stamps designed by Napa's illustrator Janne Harju! The stamps were designed especially for Valentine's Day greetings, 2011. Read more on Itella's web site (in Finnish).

..and if you're on Facebook: see more pics here.

6G julistenäyttely / Ossi Pirkonen

2010-09-24T17:17:00.002+03:00

6G-graafikkoryhmä, eli Samuli Harjunpää, Tero Harsunen, Sami Kuosmanen, Antti Kurvinen, Santtu Mustonen, Ossi Pirkonen, Ville Salervo ja Patrik Typpö ilmaisevat julisteen keinoin näkemyksiään kertakäyttöyhteiskunnasta.

Näyttely on esillä Korjaamon vaunusalissa (Töölönkatu 51 A-B) 22.10.2010 – 9.1.2011. Töölönkatu 51 A-B. www.korjaamo.fi

Kiitos Esteban 2002–2010

2010-09-11T18:28:00.004+03:00

Kasper is talking about his new book tomorrow 16.30 at the Helsinki Comic Festival. Expect nothing less than an enchanting look into the mind behind the legend that is Esteban. It's been eight years in the making, you know.

King of Kasperpedia

2010-09-02T13:46:00.005+03:00

(Click for larger images)

More fascinating reads at newly launched Burner Magazine.

Napa Agency at Habitare Market!

2010-09-02T10:36:00.003+03:00

Napa Illustrations @ Habitare Ahead! Market / Fri 3 September / 10-19 / Come and say hi! Habitare 2010

Terhi Ekebom at Napa Gallery

2010-08-31T19:23:00.000+03:00

Have you ever been to a rain forest? Terhi wouldn't even want to go. Her rain forest is an imaginary place, romantic, full of life, with a little hint of danger. At Napa Gallery you'll see Terhi's own version of the rain forest, a large wooden mobile and a sound installation you can walk inside.

Terhi's new graphic novel Voyage (Napa Books) is launched at the opening party on wed 1.9. from 6-8 pm. Welcome!

Terhi Ekebom: Mobile 1.– 25.9.2010
Napa Gallery & Shop
Eerikinkatu 18
Helsinki

Open wed-fri 12-6 sat 12-4

www.napabooks.com

WINDOWS IN HELSINKI

2010-08-24T11:44:00.001+03:00

Windows Installations is multiple venue exhibition across downtown Helsinki. Artists and designers are being commissioned to create a piece for the participating shop windows based around the theme of Storytelling, allowing art to temporarily take over these traditionally commercial spaces. We're taking part:

Isku: Kasper Strömman
Eteläesplanadi 20

Design Forum: Jenni Rope
Erottajankatu 7

Windows Installations in Helsinki, 27 August – 5 September 2010.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=144951632206226
http://www.wearehelsinki.fi/window-treatment/

Shadow Harbour documentary!

2010-08-17T16:53:00.001+03:00

Jenni Rope's animation touring

2010-08-13T23:48:00.001+03:00

Jenni Rope's animation The Climbing Tree takes part in touring screening by Package Deals! The Finnish program by Package Deals which has a premiere at Scandinavia House in New York this June collects the best in new short film, video art and music videos. Following the premiere the program will travel to the Northwest Film Forum in Seattle Washington, and to several other sites later in the year 2010. http://www.packagedeals.org/

Jenni Tuominen @ South Gallery & Shop!

2010-08-03T12:54:00.004+03:00

Jenni Tuominen's exhibition @ South Gallery and Shop, Brick Warehouse, Satamakatu 3, 10900 Hanko! Open Tue-Sun 12.00-18.00, August 6 to 29, 2010. Welcome! www.south.fi

Ossi Pirkonen's exhibition

2010-07-26T09:34:00.003+03:00

Diana Luganski / Ossi Pirkonen | Lasipalatsi, 20.7.-20.8.2010!

Napa's illustrator Ossi Pirkonen is exhibiting his work together with Diana Luganski behind Lasipalatsi, the functionalist building right in the center of Helsinki, Finland.

The exhibition is FREE OF CHARGE and will be up from 20th of July to 20th of August, every hour of the day.

WELCOME!

Nytt Nordiskt Arkiv #2

2010-07-06T15:52:00.003+03:00

Didn't catch Kasper's exhibition in Gothenburg last month? Don't worry about it, since it's travelled to Helsinki now where Myymala2 is showing eight contemporary artists “reinventing narrative art” until the 18th of July.

What's that? You're saying you're not in Helsinki? Well, maybe you should be?

Good Morning, Africa

2010-06-18T16:25:00.004+03:00

“We all know Kasper likes to draw by now, but how about his photographs? Will we ever have the chance to see them in a gallery context?”

These words have actually never been spoken out loud, but we all know too well we're thinking it. Well then – now there's hope, since Kasper is exhibiting some nice pictures of sandals as part of the “Good Morning, Africa” exhibition at the Kunsthalle Helsinki, opening tomorrow and closing on August 19th.

The exhibition will be a “colourful jubilee” of everything African, complete with workshops featuring clowns – and then the sandals, of course. I'd hurry if I were you!

Napa's Animation Container

2010-06-09T12:09:00.002+03:00

Napa's Animation Container is set up in Kalasatama on Helsinki Day, Sat 12.6. We show animations by Napa illustrators + the documentary of the last years painting project in Kalasatama area, made by Noomi Ljungdell.

You can find us near the dot number 6 in the Kalasatama map!

Welcome!

Nytt nordiskt arkiv @ Galleri Oro

2010-06-07T12:44:00.004+03:00

Dying to see some original artwork by Kasper Strömman but don't know where to go? Now's your chance – Kasper is exhibiting at Galleri Oro in Gothenburg, Sweden until the 20th of June. Nytt nordiskt arkiv shows a “rich and carefully composed variety of sequences & personal accounts from a selection of young contemporary artists ... showing various expressions and strategies found on the borders between art and literature”. My contribution to this is some pretty drawings.

There's also a Zine Symposium on Saturday the 12th, so if you're in town you'd be a fool not to go!

Doolbyland-sarjiksen arkistot avautuvat!

2010-06-04T20:41:00.004+03:00

Christer Nuutisen Rumbassa vuodesta 2005 ilmestyneen Doolbyland -sarjakuvan vanhoja jaksoja voi nyt lueskella täällä!

Tigerblog

2010-06-04T11:30:00.008+03:00

If you like this blog, why not try Kasper's and his sisters daily blog on Söderströms this month? Unlike this blog it's updated every day, and Kasper's even drawn an exclusive comic strip for the occasion. So now's the time to brush up your Swedish skills... and if you can't be bothered there's always the pretty pictures.

Jenni Rope in Tokyo

2010-05-11T10:21:00.003+03:00

Jenni Rope: My Forest / Exhibition at NOW IDeA Gallery in Tokyo, Japan. The exhibition is open from Monday 3rd until 16th of May. Welcome! www.nowidea.info

Tigerkontoret

2010-05-07T20:55:00.013+03:00

Do you like tigers? Then you really will like Kasper's new children's book, written by his sister.

Rather than drawing the tigers as wild animals Kasper has chosen to illustrate the tigers as – wait for it – people with tiger features! We believe this is something new and exciting altogether in the world of illustration.

I mean, have you ever seen an ambush of tigers watch TV in a living room? No you have not.

Of course, we couldn't recommend this book without asking for a small child's opinion first.

And wouldn't you know: the small child was really into it. Phew!

So – all in all a pretty nice book, available through all quality book stores.

Release party to be held at the Napa Gallery on the 19th of May from 5 to 8pm, to which y'all are very welcome (there could be tiger cake.) And hey, why not enjoy the playlist in advance?

2010-04-19T10:53:00.002+03:00

Animation music video for Eleonoora single from Sintti Silmusuu album. Paintings and animation by Ilja Karsikas

Eleonoora from Ilja Karsikas on Vimeo.

Sintti Silmusuu

2010-04-14T09:31:00.002+03:00

Ilja Karsikas's debyt album Sintti Silmusuu and children's book Sintti Silmusuu tahtoo oppia lukemaan are out and available right now. Order your own copy in Levykauppa Äx.

Lyrics, music and illustrations by Ilja Karsikas, produced by Samae Koskinen. Books text by Juho Gröndahl

Sintti Silmusuu

in Facebook

in MySpace

in Blogspot

Eleonoora!

2010-03-11T18:58:00.005+02:00

The first single Eleonoora from Ilja Karsikas's forthcoming debyt album Sintti Silmusuu is out and in the air right now! Lyrics, music and illustrations by Ilja Karsikas, produced by Samae Koskinen.

The album will be published at the same time with the Sintti Silmusuu tahtoo oppia lukemaan book, that is illustrated by Ilja Karsikas and written by Juho Gröndahl.

You can pre-order your own copy of Sintti Silmusuu record and Sintti Silmusuu tahtoo oppia lukemaan book in Levykauppa Äx.

Sintti Silmusuu

in Facebook

in MySpace

in Blogspot

Pizza, anyone?

2010-03-01T21:41:00.004+02:00

Would you have pizza made by a Chinese (?) chef who has a cracked face (and skull), is wearing lipstick and whose left arm is badly mangled, probably in some horrible pizza-related accident?

I thought so. I just wish I had included this charming gentleman in our book.

New stock in for 2010

2010-02-12T22:58:00.004+02:00

The Kasper Stromman Exclusive Webshop is happy to announce the arrival of some new, exciting and expensive items for 2010. We have also done a thorough inventory of all old stock and raised the price of everything, sometimes as much as thousands of euros.

The Kasper Stromman Exclusive Webshop is once again open for business.

Remember: It is not the name of Kasper Stromman that makes the webshop good, but rather the webshop and its excellence which makes the name supreme.

Jenni Rope's solo exhibition in Berlin

2010-02-02T21:23:00.006+02:00

Jenni's exhibition My Forest is travelling at the moment in Berlin.
Visit the forest at Torstrasse 110, at Bongout Gallery. www.bongout.org

I'd rather be fishing

2010-02-02T18:58:00.005+02:00

I'm a big fan of outsider artwork; this one was for sale at
flea market in Tattarisuo, Helsinki. I'm especially intrigued
by the physique of the little fellow in the boat since he doesn't
seem to have a body at all. Or maybe there's a hole in the bottom
of the boat and he's actually walking on the sea floor?

Best cookbook cover in Finland

2009-12-11T19:33:00.014+02:00

The Gourmand World Cookbook Awards has awarded
The King Nosmo Cookbook the title “Best Cookbook in Finland”.

Kasper is very pleased with the award – and even more pleased that noone else from Finland seems to have sent in their own cookbooks.

The King Nosmo Cookbook was published earlier this year by Napa Books, and is available to browse through at www.kingnosmo.com.

Open letter to Santa

2009-12-02T17:47:00.014+02:00

Dear Santa, this year I have only one wish. It's Kasper's new book about a wolf that wanted to become famous.

I do realize it's been previously published in black and white, but Santa, come on, black and white? It was only tiny in its A5 format as well, so this is definitely the one to own.

Yes Santa, it's in Swedish, but so what? I will only be looking at the brilliant, lush pictures anyhow. Especially as the artistic standard is so outstanding.

Santa, you know I have been good all year, so should we say it's a deal then? That's what I thought.

Oh, and can I have a pony as well?

Okay, never mind the pony, the book will do just fine. Thanks Santa, you're the best!

PS. In case your little helpers are really busy it's available in quality bookshops as well. Or why not head directly to the Napa Gallery, I know they have other nice stuff too!

Zines

2009-11-27T11:40:00.004+02:00

Jaakko has two new zines out
It'll End In Tears, a small comics zine, published by Cafe Royal

and A Collaborative Project zine with Henna Hyvärinen,
published by Editions Kaugummi

Tietoviidakko in Turku

2009-11-17T11:49:00.008+02:00

Tietoviidakko (Data Jungle) mosaic by Jukka Pylväs and Jenni Tuominen is revealed in entrance hall of ICT House in Turku. ICT House locates in Turku Science Park. Building offers working facilities and laboratories for three universities. Some 3000 students and 700 researchers and teachers operate in the fields of computer science, information technology and e-media. Building is constructed in 2006 and it is designed by architects Lahdelma&Mahlamäki.

Jaakko's exhibition

2009-11-08T01:38:00.005+02:00

Another practical decision by Jaakko Pallasvuo.
In Detroit Gallery, Stockholm, 6-15th November 2009

Osaka exhibition

2009-11-03T20:25:00.017+02:00

Kasper is exhibiting in Osaka at the moment as part of
the Personal Circles -exhibiton at the OOO Gallery.

Since you can't all possibly go, here's what on display,
complete with handy explanations if you can't figure
out what exactly is happening in the pictures:

Our daughter Stella is now one year old. She likes it when
we read books to her, preferrably with pictures of cuddly
farm animals. I have however illustrated a few children's
books myself, and whenever Stella wants me to read to her
she always brings me one of those. I'm always very flattered,
but lately I've come to realize it's probably not because she
loves the illustrations, but more because I'm never too busy
to eye through one of these books, so it's a guaranteed way
of making daddy read.

We don't own a car so Stella is not that used to travelling
in one. She usually gets sick, so it's good to bring a set of
clean clothes whenever you go somewhere.

Last time we borrowed a car was to go to my grandmother's
birthday. My lady partner Maija was very hungover – as was I,
but not to the same extent – and was complaing silently in
the backseat that she was not sure she was going to manage
the two hour drive without being sick.

Everything went fine, and we made it in time. My mother
greated us on the steps on the building and her first question
was ”so, you managed to drive all the way here without anyone
throwing up”. I was a bit startled; did we really look that
hungover? It took me about ten seconds to figure out she
actually ment our daughter Stella.

This cot is borrowed from a friend, and it has a cool
rainbow-sticker on it. However, Stella's has used it perhaps
4 hours in total during her first year because she tends to
sleep between us. I would probably do the same if I was a child.

I love second hand stuff. There's this big flea market every
weekend close to where we live, and I always try to go.
Often I end up buying a coffee mug with some funny text ,
like ”I love Florida”. Last time I counted we had over 70
mugs at home, which is a bit much considering there's only
the two of us using them.

The keyboard is my dad's, but I'm borrowing it for an indefinite
time. It's an early 90's model and has these really plastic sounds
and separate buttons for ”rain”, ”thunder” and ”train
approaching” which you can press at any time. I try to play it
at night when I'm done with everything else. This spring I've
taught myself to play the theme tune to Super Mario Bros.

When you flick through interior design mags it always strikes
me how people obiously always has gone to great lengths to
clean up before the photographer came, so it always looks like
they just moved in. I'd be much more interested in seeing what
the homes look like when they have laundry drying on the back
of chairs and old newspapers laying around. Maybe there
already are magazines like that?

When I buy toys for Stella I always try to pick out stuff that
was around in my childhood. I realize this is a bit sad and she
won't probably care much for these things once she gets older.
Right now though she's too young to complain so I'll probably
have another year or so before she starts forming her own
opinions. We've also mutually agreed on not buying Stella any
Disney-products, but I'm not even actually sure why? Maybe
becuase they're lame?

Most buses that come in from the north and east of Helsinki
pass the bus stop which is ten minutes from our home, and
there's also a metro station. I don't really have to use the metro
in my daily life, but I try to whenever I have the opportunity,
just because I love the smell of an underground train. I do realize
the smell of pee, damp concrete and recycled air is probably not
to everyone's tastes... but I find it an enchanting scent. I almost
whish I had to commute on a daily basis so I could smell it more
often, but obviously the novelty would wear off pretty soon.

Yume Modern Art 19.10.-7.11.2009

2009-10-26T12:38:00.012+02:00

Napa has an exhibition in Yume restaurant! Yume is
a modern Japanese restaurant located in Palace Kämp,
Helsinki. In this exhibition you will see works by:
Anna Virtanen, Jenni Rope and Jenni Tuominen. It's
also the very first exhibition by Napa's new Japanese
illustrators Kozue Himi, Takeru Toyokura and
Romi Watanabe. See photos here.

Luxurious online shopping

2009-09-28T21:55:00.006+03:00

Kasper is happy to announce the launch of the
Kasper Stromman Exclusive Webshop, a new
luxurious concept for online shopping.

”We are a premium webshop specializing in unique
products” says Kasper, ”finally there's an outlet for
the most distinctive of products, acquired from all
over the globe”.

The Kasper Stromman Exclusive Webshop is open
as from today on www.kasperstromman.com.

Kasper @ the Pecha Kucha Night (Sep 9th)

2009-09-23T10:21:00.010+03:00

Kasper gave an excellent speech at the Helsinki
Design Week's Pecha Kucha Night (Sep 9th)!
Pecha Kucha is a forum for creative people to talk
about creative things. Kasper's performance was
by far the best!! Read more here.

Illusive. Contemporary Illustration Part 3

2009-09-22T19:11:00.007+03:00

Ilja is really happy to be among the world-class illustrators
featured in the third volume of Illusive, a series published
by the Die Gestalten Verlag. According to Gestalten, Illusive.
Contemporary Illustration Part 3 is “a definitive reference
and veritable guide to the best in illustration today”. The book
features a nice selection of Iljas illustrations that are originally
published in HUB (Helsinki University Bulletin).
Illusive. Contemporary Illustration Part 3 is available now.
For details visit www.gestalten.com

Exhibition: Keksijä Punainen ja Hatun varjo

2009-09-22T19:01:00.016+03:00

Ilja Karsikas' exhibition of the illustrations for the children's book.
Keksijä Punainen ja hatun varjo (Inventor Red and the Shadow of
a Hat) is in Napa Gallery from September 30th to October 25th. In
the exhibition there's guache paintings and wooden figures of the
characters. The book is written by Heimo Hatakka and it's
published by publishing house Tammi. The book is available in
Tammi webshop and in bookstores around Finland. See some
example spreads in www.iljakarsikas.com.

Jenni Rope: My Forest

2009-09-21T14:05:00.003+03:00

This little catalogue shows Rope's new paintings made for the
My Forest exhibition touring in Chicago, Berlin and Tokyo in
2009 - 2010. It also works as an intimate documentary
introducing us to her studio, ways of working and inspirations.
Available at Napa webshop www.napabooks.com

El Esteban wins Helsinki Comic Festival Independent Publishing Allstars -prize

2009-09-12T13:37:00.013+03:00

Kasper's self published El Esteban -magazine has won the
non-prestigious Independent Publishing Allstars -price at
the Helsinki Comics Festival this weekend.

The jury found El Esteban to be ”Brilliant, clever and fun”
which made the editor blush a bit.

The jury also thought El Esteban is ”on it's way to become
a real classic” which made the editor blush some more.

El Esteban is not really available anywhere, but if you really
want to you can have a look here. Sorry, Finnish only.

Illustrator Hippo found at charity shop

2009-09-10T21:15:00.011+03:00

How happy was I to find this illustrator hippopotamus
wearing a wrestling suit at a local charity shop?
”But wait a minute” I hear you ask, ”what on earth
makes you think this little fellow is an illustrator?”

That, my friends, is of course a real no-brainer: why else would
he be carrying around a pen in his back pocket? Oh, and nice
buttocks by the way.

Jaakko Pallasvuo: How you should make cement for mending stones

2009-08-27T18:00:00.006+03:00

This beautiful 120 page book includes the essence of
Jaakko’s numerous zines: Pegasus Dwarf Irregular Galaxy
(Kaugummi Books, 2008), Sans Toit Ni Loi
(Kaugummi Books, 2008) Kievan Rus (DIY zine, 2009).
Also includes lots of previously unreleased material!
Available from Napa Books webshop. www.napabooks.com

The coolest comic shop of Western Europe

2009-08-17T16:30:00.010+03:00

“I went to Pitkamies and all I designed was this canvas bag”
Available through Pitkamies, www.pitkamies.net.

Hörselhunden Hasse

2009-08-06T20:52:00.016+03:00

Kasper's been busy this spring illustrating a children's book
for Svenska Hörselförbundet, an organization for the hearing
impaired. The story is about Hasse the Hearing Dog, who helps
out his master Boris.

The story is set in a zoo. And a zoo without big fat snakes
would hardly be a zoo, now would it?

There's even a romantic twist to the story. And that goes
for both men and canines.

Happy ending alert: all is well in the end.

The book is available through Svenska Hörselförbundet.
(Print nerds will be happy to know that the book is printed
in three spot colours throughout.)

Arrrr!

2009-07-31T14:54:00.005+03:00

He's a couch driver, but really he'd like to be a pirate somewhere
off the coast of Somalia, hijacking oil tankers instead of ferrying
old people between Hyvinkää and Porvoo. Never give up
dreaming though!

RETREAT / Jaakko Pallasvuo and Elina Minn collaborate

2009-06-30T21:56:00.009+03:00

Jaakko Pallasvuo and Elina Minn of Tuhru make collaborative
drawings. Their Retreat zine comes out in 2009 on Milano Chow's
small press Medium Rare. The images were briefly exhibited in
Milano Chow's hallway in New York.

----------------------------

The expo is part of the B-home project by B-galleria where
people are asked to curate and make art shows in their
immediate surroundings.

Jenni Rope's paintings at Jangva

2009-05-27T14:34:00.005+03:00

Jenni Rope:
Iloinen tehdas ja Kiipeilypuu
Maalauksia ja animaatio
13.5 - 31.5.2009

Galleria Jangva
Uudenmaankatu 4-6, sisäpiha
Avoinna ti–pe 11-19, la-su 11-17

www.jennirope.com

Amazing hair salon

2009-05-15T16:13:00.004+03:00

So, how great is the design of this window? Also gets an approving
nod for being called ”The Headmaster”.

Jenni Tuominen: Timanttiapina / NAPA gallery

2009-05-12T14:06:00.006+03:00

Jenni Tuominen's exhibition Timanttiapina (Diamond Monkey)
in Napa gallery! Open until 24.5. Address:
Eerikinkatu 18, 00100 Helsinki. Wed-Fri 12-18, Sat-Sun 12-16.
Meet Jenni and agent Marjo at the gallery on the 15th of May,
when Napa takes part in Design District Helsinki's Odd Week.
Welcome!

Fantastic tattoo

2009-04-30T00:52:00.003+03:00

Wow, it's centaur Patrick Swayze! I want one too!

Comics Jam at Ikuinen Galleria

2009-03-27T12:08:00.005+02:00

Terhi Ekebom, Jaakko Pallasvuo and Ville Pirinen
were asked to start drawings/comics on the wall
that visitors to the gallery could continue. So if you're
in Tampere go draw over our work!

Go and see Terhi Ekebom's, Jenni Rope's and Pauliina Mäkelä's works in Tampere!

2009-03-16T10:23:00.025+02:00

10X-exhibition at Tampere Public Library Metso 10.-22.3.2009
Open: Mon-Fri 10.00-20.00
Sat 10.00-16.00

The exhibition is based on Suomi-Québec comic anthology.
Artists: Terhi Ekebom, Caroline Fréchette, Line Gamache,
Pauliina Mäkelä, Christian Quesnel, Jenni Rope, Siris,
Amanda Vähämäki, Danièle Vallée, Mikko Väyrynen,
Stanley Wany

Listen Terhi's interview about the exhibition on Wednesday
17.3. at 16.05 pm from Radio Moreemi (98,4/101,5 MHz).

Stairway to heaven

2009-03-06T19:08:00.005+02:00

Kasper is exhibiting some photographs at Liberté on 3. linja, Helsinki.

”Sometimes you don't have to travel to exotic places for
interesting photographs. And it's definitely a lot cheaper
staying home, too.”

Kasper Stromman spent last summer meticulously documenting
the urban townsfolk often gathering under his window to spend
some time in the sun and having heated discussions, often
revolving around alcoholic beverages. Come autumn they were
all gone. Where did they all go?

Club Liberté
3. linja 34
Open daily 4pm–2am

Exhibition on until end of March.

See Tuhru animations at Tampere Film Festival 2009

2009-03-06T11:13:00.005+02:00

Death in the Yellow House by Anna Virtanen
in the Finnish competition of Tampere Film Festival:

Friday 6.3 at 18.00 Plevna
Saturday 7.3. at 20.00 Plevna

The Year I Cut My Hear by Ami Lindholm
at Tampere Film Festival:

Saturday 7.3. at 12.00 Plevna

Oops, the screening of Stage Fright by Elina Minn passed...

Airbrush art

2009-02-28T22:19:00.010+02:00

Could there be anything better than having a picture of a lady
on the hood of your car? Of course there could – having a picture
of a sexy lady within your field of vision all the time. Now,
imagine she's a cyborg as well with bloody scratch marks on her
chest and you're pretty close to airbrush perfection. A true
art lover's automobile.

What's going on in here?

2009-02-24T20:39:00.008+02:00

In case you're wondering what's happening in this picture,
there's a perfectly logical explanation: Ilja arrived at
the Napa Gallery only to trip and fall over which obviously
made for a hilarious photo opportunity; the picture then
immediatly had to be passed around for general amusement.
So now you know.

Mammals

2009-02-03T22:18:00.004+02:00

Jaakko has an exhibition at B-galleria with Julia Selin and
Matti Sumari.

Jenni Rope in Proximity magazine #3

2009-02-03T12:09:00.008+02:00

Jenni's work appears in the third issue of Proximity
magazine (USA) It's a really nice new art magazine,
check it! www.proximitymagazine.com

Also available at Napa Galleria in Helsinki.

Megaverse

2009-01-30T10:27:00.005+02:00

Jaakko made a book with Julia Selin. It's available
at Medium Rare. A few copies for sale at the Napa shop
also. Also, some paintings by Jaakko for sale here.

Bon Appetit

2009-01-21T01:11:00.014+02:00

Since illustrating only makes Kasper a dull boy Napa Gallery
is proud to present the Bon appetit-exhibition which features
the work of Kasper Strömman and Tomas De Rita. Besides
Tomas' crazy robotic kebab and whatnot you'll find paintings
of iconic Finnish dishes by yours truly as well as a homemade
Mariskooli.

Kasper and Tomas also have their long-awaited book out,
The King Nosmo Cookbook, a food themed photographic book
that complements the theme of the exhibition.

If you want to say hi, we'll be in on Sunday 25th of January
and 1st of February!

www.napagalleria.com
Exhibition on until Feb 1st
Open Wed-Fri 12–18, Sat–Sun 12–16

Bowling mural!

2009-01-06T20:53:00.003+02:00

This bad boy of a mural was spotted at the "Fosters Down
Under Bowling Alley" in suburban Helsinki. Curiously it has
nothing to do whatsoever with Australia, let alone suburban
Helsinki. But what a bad boy of a mural!

Jenni Rope in Modart magazine #19

2008-12-15T15:34:00.003+02:00

Jenni's article & her works appear in Modart magazine,
issue #19, out in October 2008. Check it!

web.modarteurope.com

Jussi Karjalainen in Kuvittaja magazine.

2008-12-03T11:50:00.005+02:00

There will be interview with Jussi Karjalainen in next
"Kuvittaja" magazine. The Magazine 4/08 will be out
around 17.12. so get your copy.

Mural spotting, part 2

2008-11-29T23:14:00.007+02:00

People don't paint enough murals these days, do they?
Well, leave it to the Christian's to keep up this fine art form.
This no-nonsense Noah's Ark can be seen at the charity shop
Sanan Arkki ('the Ark of the Word') on Hämeentie, hidden
way back behind the used furniture. Just like they used to
paint them. Well done.

Napa Illustrations at Illustrative Zürich 2008 / Photo 1

2008-11-14T15:56:00.006+02:00

Napa Agency's stand at Illustrative! Theme for the stand
was "chocolate", and all the illustrators made a picture to
this theme. Notice the nice pillows by Marimekko. Fabric
designed by Jenni Tuominen!

Napa Illustrations at Illustrative Zürich 2008 / Photo 2

2008-11-14T15:52:00.005+02:00

In this photo: Jenni Rope standing in front of the fair
section of Illustrative. Napa's stand was right next to
another agency's, Taiko & Associates' stand.

Napa Illustrations at Illustrative Zürich 2008 / Photo 3

2008-11-14T15:48:00.005+02:00

Illustrative festival & fair took place in October 2008,
in Oerlikon Zürich. In this photo: the exhibition hall.

Napa Illustrations at Illustrative Zürich 2008 / Photo 4

2008-11-14T15:41:00.006+02:00

Nominated illustrators for the YIA (Young Illustrators award)
at Illustrative 2008. More info on the festival:
www.illustrative.de

Karkkia! / Photo 1

2008-11-14T14:45:00.014+02:00

Karkkia! exhibitions' opening party in B-galleria / Turku /
30.10.2008. In this photo: Kasper Strömman &
Jaakko Pallasvuo. Behind the guys Kaspers'
"Chocolate jungle".

Karkkia! / Photo 2

2008-11-14T14:42:00.008+02:00

In this photo: Wall painting & prints by Ilja Karsikas.

Karkkia! / Photo 3

2008-11-14T14:33:00.011+02:00

In this photo: B people, Hertta Kiiski, Maija Louekari
& Stella. Behind Hertta and Maija new paintings by
Jaakko Pallasvuo! Next to them "Chocolate" prints
by Napa illustrators.

Karkkia! Napa Illustrations / B-galleria Turku

2008-10-29T19:01:00.004+02:00

Napa Illustrations exhibition in B-galleria Turku
1.11. - 23.11.2008! Opening: Friday 31.10. at 6pm,
Welcome :) http://www.suunnitelmab.net/

Tuhru / International Animation Day

2008-10-26T13:28:00.004+02:00

Tuhru starts a revolution on the International Animation Day
28th of October. The mini pixellation movie is shot in the park
by animating a group of people. Everyone is welcome to be
animated!

More info

Jenni Rope has won the first prize in YIA / Animation!!!

2008-10-20T12:44:00.007+03:00

Jenni Rope has won the first prize of Young Illustrators Award
in the category of animation! Jenni's winning animation is called
"Kiipeilypuu". The competition was a part of Illustrative festival
in Zürich. The winners were announced on Saturday 18.10. at
the festival. Paljon onnea Jenni!!

Illustrative 2008!

2008-10-08T13:46:00.005+03:00

Napa Illustrations is one of the exhibitors at Illustrative
this year! Illustrative is the leading European forum for
contemporary illustration and graphic arts. Come and say
hi to us if you're in Zürich! We will be there from the 17th
untill the 26th of October. What is also great, is that Jenni Rope
and Ami Lindholm from Napa got nominated for the Young
Illustrator Award in the category of animation. Wow! Congrats!

http://www.illustrative.de/illustrative-08/

Save the penguin!

2008-10-05T23:51:00.006+03:00

Valio clearly thought nobody would notice, but we can tell they
are phasing out their lovely old penguin logo! But did they really
have to drown the old one? I mean, we get the symbolism.

The new penguin sure looks very dynamic. And it pains me to say,
the kids will no doubt love it.

Taking a break

2008-09-28T23:18:00.006+03:00

Ilja Karsikas, Christer Nuutinen and Jussi Karjalainen let go
of their pens for a moment to celebrate the one single day it
wasn't raining last summer with a cold foamer. Christer was
in fact so impressed by the taste of beer he moved to the land
which invented beer, aka Germany, shortly after this picture
was taken. There is no need for worries however, as he is still
easily available for illustrations.

The Bride by Bedroom

2008-09-24T07:31:00.005+03:00

Bedroom, a band from Barcelona was inspired by "The Bride",
a graphic novel by Jenni Rope, and made a song of it!
Sounds great! Thanks Albert!

Sweet Memories of Summer

2008-09-22T23:40:00.008+03:00

A picture of our ever so radient agent Marjo, shot at the
Napa Illustrations company picnic last June. On our way
back from the chocolate factory (yes!) we roamed the eastern
suburbs of Helsinki only to stumble upon this in a mostly
empty shopping centre:

Wow. I don't know about you, but I believe this just raised
the bar what comes to murals.

10 x (Dix fois/Kymmenen kertaa)

2008-09-16T17:43:00.009+03:00

Terhi Ekebom and Jenni Rope were invited to draw brand new
graphic novels for a Canadian/Finnish cooperative comics
anthology called 10x (Dix fois / Kymmenen kertaa). It is
published by the Canadian publisher Studio Premières Lignes,
and is out in September 2008. The original drawings for this
book are shown in an exhibition in Helsinki from 13.9. – 31.10.,
at Ranskan kulttuurikeskus in Kaapelitehdas. You can buy
the book at Napa Shop www.napagalleria.com or at
www.fichtre.qc.ca

Royalist? Javisst!

2008-09-11T23:19:00.005+03:00

Kasper is currently working on a proper-sized drawing for
the Helsinki Biennale at the Design Museum in October.
See y'all there!

Sans Toit Ni Loi

2008-09-07T16:38:00.003+03:00

Jaakko has a small book of drawings and photographs out!
You can order it here.

Kasper's annual fanzine out

2008-09-05T20:22:00.013+03:00

Kasper's self-published annual fanzine Esteban has hit the shelves
again for the 7th year in a row. Contents include mildly amusing
comics, columns by fictional writers, book reviews and poems by
Kasper's grandmother. Available in very selected places in
Helsinki, including the Napa shop, Pitkamies and Myymala2,
once I actually get around to delivering them to these places.
Actually your best bet is to get them from the
Helsinki Comics Festival – see you there!

Jenni Tuominen: Artist of the month in AMA web gallery

2008-09-04T17:04:00.010+03:00

Check out rest of Jenni's works here.

Ryöppy

2008-08-30T13:34:00.002+03:00

Elina & Anna of Tuhru made a paper installation at Kokoro & Moi
studio as a part of YCNlive. More pictures here.