Minted x PBteen
What's the story behind "Morning Cactus"?
I have absolutely fallen in love with the California desert, so that has been a huge inspiration in my recent work. There's just something majestic about a large cactus—it's standing firm and has managed to grow tall despite such a barren and harsh environment. This is quite optimistic in a sense, and perhaps that's why I'm so drawn to it. I love seeing the silhouettes of cacti in that special desert light, to be able to take a break from everyday life, to breathe and to just be present.
Who is your favorite artist and why?
I grew up in a family with a keen design interest and have roots in Uppsala Ekeby, Sweden, so I have always been surrounded by Scandinavian mid-century designs and ceramics from artists like Ingrid Atterberg, Vicke Lindstrand, and Mari Simmulson. They created shapes, textures, and patterns that were so simple yet so strong and very beautiful. I also love the softness in many French impressionist paintings and the way Anders Zorn managed to capture the female form or sun reflected on water. There are also a lot of photographers I admire; I'm drawn to the joyous Californian vibe in Slim Aaron's work and the symmetric color palettes, simplicity, and lightness in Massimo Vitali and Grey Malin's photography.
Where and what inspires you when you are creating your work?
I've been living in different countries and traveled my whole life, so that has always been a huge source of inspiration for me. New environments make you stop and pay attention in a different way, and you tend to see ordinary objects and situations from a different perspective, which can be exciting and inspiring. When I don't travel, I find most of my inspiration from my daily life and from my immediate surroundings. I love exploring outdoors, and I feel very fortunate to live in California, which has unique light, so many beautiful parks, gardens, beaches, and deserts.
What is your advice for artists who are just getting started?
Take a leap of faith and trust your instincts, but be consistent in your efforts. Try to do something creative every day, even if it's not in your own genre. Look at other people's work, give feedback, and also ask people to review your work. For me, the Minted community has really been instrumental in my progression and development as a photographer. It is also good to remind oneself that art is never really complete; you just have to let it go at some point and hope others want to make it theirs and hopefully enjoy it just as much as you enjoyed creating it.