It all started innocently. With a single visit. A stay that was supposed to be just “for a while.”
But as it often goes with “a while” – it expanded into a whole life. Because there, in the northern silence, I found more than just forests, water, winter, or the northern lights. I found myself. In the strangest place imaginable – namely… Skellefteå (or Hwelefteå, depending on dialect).
Skellefteå became the beginning of my “line.” Both literally and metaphorically.
First, life brought me there from Poland – partly to test the waters, partly out of courage. Then life guided me like I guided my hand across the tablet – slowly, with pauses, deep breaths, not knowing where it would lead me. And what emerged was a poster that I drew over the course of seven hours. One. Single. Unbroken. Line.
Well, almost unbroken – because a hand, as hands do, sometimes needs to breathe. But each time, I came back exactly to the point where I had paused. Just like I kept coming back to Skellefteå. Sometimes for something specific – like work, a new chapter, peace. Sometimes for nothing – just for the scent, the light, to remind myself what I’m capable of.
When I create art, it takes time. I need many breaks. There’s no such thing as “divine inspiration and off you go,” like snapping your fingers. More often it’s “nothing works, I’m quitting everything.” But then the urge to create always returns – the idea, the thought: maybe just one more time, a little more. One more stroke of the line.
It was the same with my life in Skellefteå – at some point, I had to pause to take care of certain things so that I could return again. You’ve seen it on my Instagram – I shared with you (as much as I could) the reasons behind my relocations.
What’s funny about returning is that every time, it brings something different. New circumstances, new relationships, new places, new perspectives. You never know what to expect, but that journey excites you and unlocks a new level of sensitivity. I never anticipated that in Skellefteå I would find life wisdom, strength, a home, and… love. Drawing is the same. You can imagine what the finished illustration will look like, but the final result will always surprise you. You simply can’t predict what will happen.
The North is a truly magical place – and if I were to romanticize any place, it would be the area I lived in then: Ljusvattnet (in Burträsk, which belongs to the Skellefteå municipality). The name literally means “Lightwater”. A beautiful, quiet village, two fairytale lakes, a beach, hills, and picturesque meadows.
Maybe you’re rolling your eyes reading my descriptions, thinking, “she’s exaggerating.” It’s easy to over-romanticize, to idealize an image like on Instagram: boost the color saturation, crop the frame, add a filter. But up there, it’s all already there. The nature in the North doesn’t need editing. It speaks for itself. And it’s very easy – oh, very easy – to fall in love with it. Once you see it all, breathe in that air – you’re hooked. Though like any place, Skellefteå has its downsides – in my case, some difficult and painful memories.
Everything that happens in my life affects my inspiration. The hardest experiences too – sometimes pain floods me with ideas, and other times it completely blocks me.
When I had a break from drawing, I knew there was no need to rush – rest and time to recharge are just as necessary. What comforted me was the thought that when the time came to return, it would be like going back to Skellefteå – I’d slip into a well-worn pair of shoes and everything would feel a bit easier. I returned to a job I liked. I had the support of friends who helped carry me through the tougher moments. I found love. Daily life consumed me, and peace became my whole world. It was so comfortable that stepping out of that zone began to fill me with fear.
At the same time, I felt a growing longing to devote myself fully to creativity.
I decided I needed to leave my comfort zone and expose myself to new experiences. I didn’t want fear to stop me from chasing my dreams. After moving to Stockholm, this website and these products were born – a part of me, reflecting everything that inspires me to create and my love for diversity. But desire alone is not enough. Like anyone working creatively, every time I sit down to work, I have to block out the noise. That noise keeps me from accessing that special place where art comes from. Sometimes the block returns and I just can’t push through – I can’t imagine what comes next.That’s why I was so happy when the idea for the “one line” poster came to me. It’s slowly turning into a series, and that brings me great joy.
Maybe someday you’ll visit Skellefteå and want to see it in real life. While you’re there, I can also recommend a few of my favorite spots that I always love to return to. They’re all in the city center and within walking distance:
- Sara Kulturhus – The Wood Hotel – a 20-story cultural center and hotel, one of the tallest wooden buildings in the world. You can go up to one of the top floors to see the city panorama.
Link - Espresso House – a chain café, but with a great vibe, delicious coffee and sandwiches, and an excellent location (right in the center).
Link - Bonnstan – a historic town (also in the center) with charming, atmospheric cottages.
Link - Vitberget – a hill in the center of town where you can watch a breathtaking sunset, walk beautiful trails, have a picnic or barbecue. On the back of the hill, in a cave, is the tourist attraction Boda Borg – a team-based adventure where you can take on challenges in 16 themed rooms. Some are physical, some intellectual, some a mix of both.
Link
If you get the chance to rent a car or arrive with your own, you must also see Ljusvattnet (the one in Burträsk – there’s another one in the same county) and Ragvaldsträsk.
In the meantime, I invite you to experience Skellefteå through my illustration, in your own home. I hope that when you look at this one, intricate line, you’ll feel everything I described in this post.
And if you happen to be in a “pause” moment – remember, pauses are part of the drawing too.
