The Fox and the Aurora Borealis

Growing up in the Northwoods of Minnesota, I’ve always felt a deep connection to the wildness and the powerful animal spirits that share our space. But my Finnish heritage pulls that connection even further North, toward the silent, starry night of the Arctic.
This painting, “Revontulet,” is my tribute to the most magical story told in Finland—the origin of the Northern Lights.
The word Revontulet literally translates to ‘Fox Fires.’ It tells of the mythical tulikettu, the fire fox, whose tail sweeps across the snow-covered fells of Lapland. As his fur brushes the mountains, the friction sends showers of sparkling light high into the heavens, igniting the sky in vibrant streaks of green and violet.
This piece captures that very moment: the fox, grounded in the quiet snow, yet the celestial energy of the Aurora is already swirling around him, a direct result of his silent, mystical work. It’s a reminder that even the most fleeting creatures hold the power to create the greatest wonders of the world.
For me, this painting represents the hidden magic of the North, linking my roots in Minnesota’s wilderness to the ancient, beautiful stories of my Finnish ancestors. It’s a piece of the Arctic night, brought to life through myth and memory.