Hello
My name is Iona, and I’m the person behind Iona Wood Art. I’m originally from the Netherlands, but since 2006, I’m living my dreamlife amidst the trees that make up oh, 86% of the land that is Finland. And, with more than 188,000 lakes, the natural beauty here in Finland is both abundant and awe-inspiring! In all seasons! Needless to say, Finnish nature has deeply shaped my journey as an artist.
You might wonder how I ended up in Finland, of all places.
Truthfully, it was love that guided me from the flat and busy landscapes of the Netherlands to the enchanting forests of Finland. I met my husband on an online forum, back in the day when people still logged onto the “World Wide Web” with a dial-up modem. I didn’t plan to move to a Nordic country, but he happened to be Finnish and I was in love! So off I went…
In moving here, I was ill-prepared for the culture shock; the difficult language, the people and most of all, Finland’s extreme winters. But – in addition to falling in love with my husband – I did also fall in love with Finnish nature. Eventually also with the icy winters, when the wondrous Aurora Borealis lights up the sky!
Fresh out of woodworking school, woodworking became a job, but also a hobby. I discovered wood-burning around 2010 or so. Fast forward … I now spend my days creating unique wood art, ranging from intricately carved pendants, decorated with pyrography, to wood-burned wall art.
My trusty tools are my Dremel and my Razertip burner, and with their help, I try to put the magic of the Finnish Forest into every piece! And I mean that quite literally, cause all of my wood is locally and sustainably sourced!
When I’m not lost in my wood art, you can find me capturing Finland’s beauty through photography, or enjoying the tranquility it offers by going for a mindful walk. I also enjoy drawing with pencil (graphite), writing romance stories, and diving into a good book (crime or medical thrillers mostly) or a TV-series. I wrote an e-book in which I share a collection of pictures I’ve taken throughout these 18 years in Finland.
My journey hasn’t been without challenges. In 2019 I was forced to give up woodworking and pyrography in the process of getting diagnosed with axial spondyloarthritis (AS). 2018, 2019 and 2020 weren’t my best years and I was terrified I would need to give up my passions altogether. Fortunately, and with the right medications, I didn’t have to!
Through my art, I hope to give you an interesting and inspiring glimpse into this peaceful and beautiful world I call home. On my Facebook and Instagram page, I share all aspects of my wood art as well as my life. And I think Buy me A Coffee is a good place for writing newsletters!
Your support means the world to me! By buying me a coffee, you’re not just fuelling my creativity but also helping me continue this beautiful journey of art and nature.
Thank you for being a part of my story!