Ariana Ramhage is not only an artist, but also an architect. Many thousands of people have seen and admired her paintings, putting them in great demand. Her motifs are inspired from the beautiful archipelago surrounding the West Coast of Sweden. Especially the small villages and communities of Bohuslän e.g. Smögen, Marstrand, Fjällbacka, Fiskebäckskil, Käringön and Grundsund.

Characteristic of her work is the strong blue colour of the sky, the perfect detail of the boats, the sun-drenched rocks, and the typical wind blown houses and cottages of Bohuslän. Her paintings are very true too life but still leave room for fantasy and meditation. Swedes love her portrayal of their beautiful Country, and the response to her exhibitions in Sweden has been enormous. Wherever her vernissage takes place it attracts big numbers of visitors.

Ariana Ramhage came to Sweden in 1981. She came as a young student of architecture to study Swedish building techniques. Missing her ferry home by a few minutes was bad enough, but when it was announced that the next ferry was cancelled because a state of emergency had been declared in Poland, Ariana was stranded in Sweden.

She remained in Sweden, completing her studies at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg. The first house Ariana designed was for herself. She is now a well-respected architect, and considers Sweden as her home.

Painting has always been a driving passion for Ariana. During the latest years she has concentrated exclusively on watercolours.

One of the advantages of being an immigrant is the ability to see just what is genuinely Swedish. Ariana's first meeting with the Swedish West Coast was very exciting. Her imagination was immediately captured by the contrast between the harsh and rough landscape and coastline, against the idyllic small villages with their white cottages and red boathouses.

She loves sitting on the Bohuslän rocks taking in this special world. The dawn filled with the hope of a new day, and the dusk so peaceful in its demise. They conjure up and portray completely different images.

Many of her watercolours portray well-known locations, which the observer can feel are familiar. The dream world is also here! Look deeper, Ariana is also creating another dimension in her work, a world of dreams and illusions.

In contrast to many other artists, Ariana is only interested in creating good dreams. The dreams that can conjure up feelings of happiness, hope, and longing. The shining whites, deep reds and warm blues create a mystical vision where there is always something new to be discovered. Her play with shadows adds a deep perspective, which invites one to wander into scenarios that are charged with sensitivity.

She often paints from memory. A cold winter day can be the inspiration needed to produce a warm colourful summer motif. The longing for light and warmth are very strong at that time of year. Her motivation is to be able to share her work and visions with others hopefully warming them in their everyday life.

All Ariana Rampage’s paintings are intensely personal in their nature and thereby easily recognised. Examples of her work can be found from Los Angeles to Tokyo, often in the collections of local authorities, county councils, businesses and private art collectors.

The reader is very welcome to visit Ariana Ramhage's website on: www.ramhage.com