Toril Kojan is not your typical artist. She has worn many hats in her life, from air hostess to advertising copywriter, from product manager to screenplay writer. But one thing has remained constant: her passion for painting. Now, she devotes herself to her art, which she calls “the food for the soul”.

Her journey as an artist began in the early nineties, when she decided to leave her commercial career and pursue her creative dreams. She founded and edited Kunst for Alle, the first and largest art magazine for amateurs in Norway, which later became Kunst, the leading art magazine in the Nordics. For fifteen years, she shared her knowledge and enthusiasm with thousands of readers, while also attending art courses and developing her own style.

In 2010, she sold the magazine and moved to a spacious studio in Oslo, where she could focus on her paintings. Her work is a blend of abstraction and figuration, with colourful and enigmatic scenes that invite interpretation. She draws inspiration from nature, but also from her own life experiences. She says her paintings come from inside, and they often carry messages that may vary depending on the viewer.

Besides painting, Toril also teaches art and practices art therapy. She has a degree in art from Nydalen Art School and has learned from many incredible teachers throughout her career. She enjoys passing on her skills and insights to her students, who inspire her with their success and happiness. She also believes in the healing power of art, which she says has made her much freer as an artist.

Toril exhibits her work at various art fairs and shows across Scandinavia. She is looking forward to participating in Art Nordic, the largest art exhibition in Scandinavia, which will take place in Copenhagen in November. She will join artists from all over the world who will showcase and sell their work to thousands of visitors. She says it is good to be able to go to exhibitions again after the pandemic.

What else does Toril look forward to? Her answer is simple and humble: “Resting, painting, and having a good life.” That sounds like a perfect recipe for happiness.