“I paint simply because it makes me feel good, gives me energy and a sense of wellbeing; it is my way to express myself and communicate with the world.”
An Icelandic Artist Rooted in Nature’s Wonders
Klara Gunnlaugsdottir, an Icelandic abstract painter based in France, draws profound inspiration from the landscapes and natural elements of her homeland. Growing up near Reykjavik, Klara’s childhood was steeped in the rugged beauty of old lava fields and the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. These dramatic surroundings, alongside her family’s artistic influence—most notably her multidisciplinary artist grandfather—shaped her creative vision from an early age. Klara’s upbringing was filled with both visual and auditory artistry, as she nurtured a passion for music alongside her love for painting. Even today, she sings in choirs and takes lyrical singing lessons, integrating a musical rhythm into her artistic practice.
Travel has also been a defining part of Klara’s journey, beginning with extensive trips around Europe during her childhood and continuing through her adult life. Her experiences living in England, Germany, and the United States exposed her to diverse cultures and artistic traditions, broadening her creative palette. Although she earned a degree in political science and worked in various fields related to her education, painting was always Klara’s true passion. It wasn’t until she moved to France in 2000 that she fully embraced her identity as an artist. Settling in a new country, she gradually transitioned from painting for personal pleasure to pursuing her art professionally. Since 2010, Klara has dedicated herself entirely to her craft, working full-time as an independent artist.
Klara Gunnlaugsdottir: Passion for Painting and the Freedom to Create
For Klara, painting is much more than a profession—it is a profound source of joy and self-expression. Her work captures the essence of nature’s energy, and she often finds inspiration in Iceland’s volcanic landscapes, where old and new lava fields meet. Klara approaches each artwork as an exploration, inviting viewers into her abstract world where they can interpret the suggested forms and invisible elements in their own way. Rather than replicating reality, her art seeks to evoke the unseen and the emotional responses that nature stirs within her. Painting from her imagination and soul, she creates works that balance control and spontaneity, reflecting the unpredictable beauty of the natural world.
Her artistic process is fluid and experimental, incorporating acrylics, modeling paste, and sand to develop textures and layers that bring depth to her canvases. Klara plays with contrasts—light and dark, thick and thin, rough and smooth—adding dynamic energy to her work. Her love for materials and textures extends beyond traditional tools, as she often incorporates everyday objects such as kitchen utensils and homemade tools to achieve unique effects. The result is a highly tactile art form that blurs the lines between painting and sculpture, where colors and textures intermingle in bold, expressive compositions.
Among the recurring themes in Klara’s work are the four natural elements: earth, water, fire, and air. These elements frequently dominate her series, such as “Black Lava,” “Red Hot Lava,” and “Mossy Lava,” which explore the cyclical nature of life through Iceland’s volcanic terrain. Water, in its many forms—from the ocean to ice and snow—also plays a central role, reflecting her concerns about climate change and the melting of the glaciers. Through her art, Klara conveys the power, motion, and contrast found in nature, aiming to share the energy and healing it offers with her audience.
The Studio as a Creative Sanctuary
Klara’s workspace is designed to foster creativity and efficiency, allowing her to focus fully on her artistic process. Her large studio provides the space she needs to rotate her canvases, experiment with different perspectives, and work on multiple pieces simultaneously. Organization is key, and she divides her studio into different areas for painting, photographing finished works, and varnishing. By keeping her tools well-arranged and creating a distraction-free environment—turning off her phone and keeping her computer out of sight—Klara can immerse herself in her creative flow. The importance of good lighting cannot be overstated, as it helps her maintain clarity while working on the intricate layers of her paintings.
Music is another essential element in Klara’s studio. While she paints, she often listens to music, which brings rhythm and emotion into her work. The studio, for her, is a place of both solitude and movement, where she can physically engage with her art, often turning her canvases or dancing around them as she works. Klara also enjoys working on several canvases at once, moving them from the floor to the wall and back again as part of her process. This method allows her to maintain momentum, staying organized while remaining flexible in her artistic expression. Having the studio divided into zones, along with a well-placed coffee machine, ensures she stays productive and energized throughout her creative sessions.
Klara’s ability to balance detailed preparation with spontaneous experimentation is central to her technique. She begins each painting with multiple layers of texture, laying the foundation with careful attention to detail. Yet, as the work progresses, she embraces unpredictability, throwing or spilling water and paint onto her canvas to see where the creative process will take her. This blend of control and surrender embodies the essence of her artistic practice—an ongoing dialogue between the natural world and the human instinct to create.
Klara Gunnlaugsdottir: Inspirations and Artistic Dreams
Klara’s influences span both Icelandic and international artists, each leaving their mark on her evolving style. She cites French artist Pierre Soulages, known for his abstract work with bold black brushstrokes, and American painter Mark Rothko, celebrated for his color fields, as major sources of inspiration. Closer to home, Icelandic artists like Hafsteinn Austmann, Eirikur Smith, and Nina Tryggvadottir have also deeply influenced Klara’s approach, particularly in their use of abstract forms and their connection to Icelandic nature. These artistic giants have shaped her understanding of abstraction, color, and the emotional depth that can be conveyed through a non-representational form.
Among her own body of work, a standout piece for Klara is “Winter Wonderland,” part of her ICY ART SERIES. Created in 2021, this painting holds a special place in her heart, evoking memories of wintertime and her love for skiing. The work captures the stillness and expansiveness of a winter landscape, blending acrylics, pastels, and modeling paste with sand to create layers that invite reflection. Through its minimalist composition and serene energy, the painting offers viewers a meditative space, embodying Klara’s ability to channel nature’s tranquility into her art.
Looking to the future, Klara has her sights set on a dream project centered around Jokulsarlon, Iceland’s famous glacier lagoon. She envisions spending an extended period there, observing the unique ice formations and creating a new series of works titled “Ice Visions.” This series would not only capture the beauty of the lagoon but also raise awareness about the global issue of melting ice. By turning her personal connection to Iceland’s landscape into a broader environmental message, Klara hopes to inspire others to appreciate and protect the natural world.
