Visual Artist

Ilona Rinne

About

Back to creating

Ilona is a Belgium-based artist originally from Finland, making stories by capturing the mundane. Her works offer a space for imagination and reflection. Currently she is exploring the contrast between a fast, expressive oil painting and slow, methodical aquatint printmaking.

From a young age, she was drawn to creating – first through textiles like knitting, crocheting, and sewing. She attended art classes as a child but often found the predefined themes limiting rather than inspiring. However, these early experiences gave her a strong foundation in artistic experimentation.

During the pandemic, she rekindled her passion for making art after receiving a set of watercolors. This led her to explore different mediums, eventually finding a deep connection with printmaking.

The Vision

Igniting imagination

My work explores the intersection between observation and imagination. I am inspired by everyday things: plants, animals, people, and fleeting moments captured in my phone’s camera roll. I often begin with a simple topic, something seemingly insignificant, and as I work, the story emerges naturally.

In printmaking, I primarily work with aquatint, drawn to its rich tonal depth and the interplay of light and shadow. The methodical nature of printmaking is integral to my practice. As the image gradually reveals itself, the process introduces an element of unpredictability and impressions evolve beyond my initial intent.

My work often carries a moody, atmospheric quality, capturing a glimpse into a moment that could be either mundane or pivotal, depending on the story the viewer creates. I invite interpretation, allowing each piece to serve as a space for personal reflection and storytelling.

Recently I have been exploring oil painting as a way to experiment with color and create a contrast in my practice between slow and methodical printmaking and more instantaneous faster all prima painting.