MEET THE ARTIST:
Sanni Wessman
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP: In a small city called Kerava, Finland.
WHEN DID YOU FIRST BECOME INTERESTED IN ILLUSTRATION: Ever since I was a tiny human, I loved to draw. It wasn’t until high school that I realized Illustration is an actual profession and it became a big dream and goal of mine!
WHAT INSPIRES YOU: I’m immensely inspired by the tiny things that color our everyday life, the people I get to meet, and nature – especially the four seasons of Finland! Inspiration tends to find me at odd moments, and I try to capture the sparks as they come.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIECE THAT YOU’VE CREATED: I have to name two. I have fond memories of painting a mural in New York back in 2023. I had a killer team working with me, and all the people walking past stopped to chat about the mural and life itself, it became a community thing! The second one is a candy-filled Christmas calendar for the Finnish brand Fazer. The brief was to make it candy-colored, cheerful, and full of holiday cheer—a brief straight from my Santa’s wishlist!
IF YOU WEREN'T AN ARTIST WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING INSTEAD: I’d have a vintage store with all kinds of home decorations, tiny porcelain animals, and pretty tableware! And silk scarves! I could also be a Christmas stylist. Is that a thing?
WHAT SONG GETS STUCK IN YOUR HEAD MOST OFTEN: Probably the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings theme songs. I must say, my life is way less eventful, though!
WHAT IS YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL: My cat Kasper. He’s the main character of my life.
IF YOU COULD ONLY EAT ONE FOOD FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? All kinds of pasta! I’m always craving pasta.
WHAT IS THE ONE ITEM OF CLOTHING THAT YOU WEAR MOST OFTEN: My fluffy slippers
WHAT WOULD THE TITLE OF YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY BE: The Sanni Days (my name is pronounced a bit like Sunny – get it?)
WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING YOU'VE EVER DONE: Making a decision to let my cat Luna go. Instant tears when I think about that day. Also (to keep the good vibes going), snowboarding when I was seven.
WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU LAUGHED SO HARD IT HURT: Yesterday on New Year’s Eve! I saw a big bunch of my friends at the same time, loud laughter and group hysteria guaranteed!
WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TALENT: I unintentionally use a lot of my brain capacity to remember song lyrics, so carpool karaoke is always happening.
WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO DANCE MOVE: Nothing too extravagant when in company: side to side and jamming with my hands. When I’m alone, it’s a whole show!
WHAT IS THE STRANGEST THING IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR: There must always be olives – It’s a rule.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO UNWIND AFTER A BUSY DAY: Chilling on the couch with my husband, my cat and/or my friends. Or taking a long walk.
