A woman dressed in a vintage white dress standing in a field of purple and yellow flowers, holding a single purple flower, with long brown hair tied back with a ribbon, and wearing pearl earrings and a necklace.

Hi, I’m Sonja Kettunen, an artist and media maker from the quiet forests of Finland.

I spent my childhood wandering through the woods of North Karelia, drawing and drifting into daydreams. When I discovered photography, I finally had a way to capture the fleeting, everyday magic I had been noticing for years.

That path led me to a bachelor’s degree in media, and for a time I immersed myself in academic studies. Academia nurtured my curiosity, even if it never quieted the small voice inside me asking:

“What would happen if I finally gave my own art a real chance?”

In the autumn of 2024, I stepped into the Salmela Art Residency. I picked up a paintbrush again, began writing poetry, and allowed work that had lived quietly inside me to move into the galleries.

Meet the Artist

Art has always been my way of understanding life. It helps me slow down, notice small details, and stay close to the things that truly matter.

From that need, Soja Fox Studio grew into a small, peaceful space for the work that rises from my hands and imagination.

A painting of pink roses in a clear glass vase, placed on a wooden surface next to a jar with art supplies.

Now I live in Tampere as a creative entrepreneur. I paint for upcoming exhibitions, create commissioned pieces for clients, and take on freelance assignments in the creative media field.

And through it all, I keep following that quiet pull I’ve known since childhood — the one that leads toward making, storytelling, and the small moments of wonder that shape my work.

Exhibitions

My first exhibition, held in Espoo, Finland (February 2025), featuring acrylic paintings and poetry exploring the theme of mortality.
Upcoming exhibition in Tampere (February 2026) showcasing a collection of whimsical and cute watercolor illustrations about foxes!
Upcoming exhibition in 2026 in Porvoo, Finland, presenting storybook-inspired watercolor illustrations accompanied by poetry.
A collection I am currently creating and seeking suitable exhibition spaces.
Collection is exploring the deep, tender longing for soulmate connection. Through acrylic paintings, this body of work seeks to capture the quiet intensity of yearning, the delicate threads of desire, and the intimate dance of hearts in search of one another.

Growth & Adventures

Participated in a training program exploring art as a tool for civic engagement. (Cork, Ireland, 2023)
Presented and led a lecture at the event Nuori Taide in 2023, sharing artistic insights and practices. (Helsinki, Finland)
Participated in Plan Finland’s program to promote gender equality.
Organized the charity campaign #RightToFeel // #OikeusTuntea
distributing hundreds of books about mental health across Finland to be discovered by the public.

Awards

My poem “Metsäntyttö / Forest Girl” was included in the Kapinaruno anthology. (2021)
My poem “Hold Me, Mother Earth” featured on the Keuruu Poetry Trail. (2024)
My thesis in 2023 explored and developed effective methods to genuinely enhance personal brand visibility on Instagram.