ABOUT THE ARTIST
Daugther Sammantha
A successful Artist from a family of Hollywood heavyweights, Inga Ojala has always simply considered herself an Artist and Teacher. "I specialize in paintings of wildlife and fish, although I have the ability to paint, draw or sculpt just about anything my clients request. I do a lot of fishing and study the outdoors and actually study the fish that I catch, to put the realism into my paintings. When I am diving I study the natural feel of the water and the fish’s natural environment. I paint in many different mediums and add materials such as sand and grass to the canvas and will sometimes add one of my hand tied one-of-a-kind flies or lures to the artwork. It adds a certain realism to the canvas and makes my paintings stand out from other artists." "When I am teaching, I show my students that there are many different ways to make their art jump out at the viewer and bring them in to the painting, drawing, or sculpture, so to speak. Incorporating these unique and different techniques, their work becomes more life like and realistic." "With my carvings, I work in many different materials and add things from the earth to give them a natural feel. I do carvings in many different materials, from leather to wood to scrimshaw(ivory). I do everything by hand, the old fashioned way, which makes each piece unique and that much more treasured and valuable to my clients." Daughter of the legendary Hollywood gunslinger/holster innovator/gun safety instructor Arvo Ojala and actress/model/figure skater Doris Naga Seversen, Ms. Ojala was born in Seattle, Wash., and is of Finnish and Norwegian descent. Whether it's creating one-of-a-kind murals or displaying her skills at faux finishing, Ms. Ojala admits her greatest love is Art - and her outlet, 'NorFinn Designs', is the latest in a plethora of creative ventures. For those who do not know, Ms. Ojala's father, Arvo, is a world-renowned gunslinger, working with such luminaries as Paul Newman, James Garner, James Arness, Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood, Kevin Costner, Sharon Stone, Micheal J. Fox, and Mari Blanchard (to name only a few of those he trained in the art of gunslinging). But perhaps he is most famous for his work in front of as well as behind the scenes of one of the greatest television Westerns, Gunsmoke. Mr. Ojala is the man who challenges Marshall Dillon in the opening sequence of each episode. His filmography, much too lengthy to mention here, includes all of Hollywood's A-List celebrities, including Ronald Reagan as well. Ms. Ojala is also a horse trainer, expert marksman, and actress. She has also worked on films as a stunt coordinator and even performed some of the stunts herself. She's also pretty handy with a bull whip, from when she was a stunt gal on ‘No Mans Land'. In all, Ms. Ojala has been in countless films - including parts in 'The Wild Life', 'The Man with Two Brains', 'Protocol' and 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' - and numerous television programs, such as 'Love Boat' and 'Fantasy Island', just to name a couple. But in the midst of this hectic acting career remained her great love of art, which led her to create 'NorFinn Designs', in which she can display her talents in creating murals, faux finishes, scrimshaw, leather engraving, fresco and trompe l'oeil, as well as teaching classes to pass on her skills to artists of all ages and skill levels. Ms. Ojala's work can be seen in many commercial establishments, private residences, art galleries, and private art collections throughout the United States and abroad. Her client list includes many serious and not so serious collectors and aficionados, all of whom share her love of the arts! In addition, Ms. Ojala is an accomplished Art Director and Set Designer. If you would like to purchase one of Ms. Ojala's originals, or commission her for a custom job, please contact her and she would be happy to discuss your specific needs and budget. Remember, all of her work is completely original and custom orders are always welcome!!
