Tove Jansson as a role model

Tove was able to let her childhood self be present at all times. I can see her inner 8-year-old in all the images she created as an adult – she had such brilliance.

Lauren Soloy, Canada

“Tove was able to capture characters and atmospheres better than many others. She guides viewers along her path in a way that feels warm and inviting, even when the surroundings are dark or ominous – which they often are!

The same sentiment is conveyed through her writings. Things can be frightening or ridiculous on the one hand, but still wonderful. She never holds herself back, yet she never lets go of the reader’s hand either. That kind of fearlessness is something I yearn for in my life, and it’s my biggest source of inspiration.

My favourite work: Her autobiography, Sculptor’s Daughter (1968). It’s filled with stories that remind me of what it was like to be a child – at times frightening and confusing, full of petty grudges and famished love, yet also full of wonder and magic. She sets such a beautiful example for us all to follow.

Reading the autobiography time and time again inspired me to write Tove and the Island With No Address (2024), in which I depict Tove as a child. At the time, I wondered how I could bring forth these same aspects in my own way. Depicting Tove as a child allowed me to pave a path for younger readers to explore her life in a more accessible way.”

Niña Lerch, Austria

“Tove’s work emphasises the importance of tolerance, diversity and empathy. I admire how effortlessly she combined whimsical storytelling with meaningful messages, and how she stayed true to herself throughout her life and career.

As an artist, I’m inspired by the way she navigated through different disciplines – from painting to comics and literature – while developing her own unique and recognisable voice. She reminds us that we can explore various art forms while still staying true to our vision and values.

Tove’s legacy extends well beyond her beautiful illustrations and beloved characters. She left us stories full of courage, compassion and humanity. Her values of acceptance, individuality and quiet resistance seem more relevant now than ever. I believe we should continue to cherish them in our art and in our lives.

My favourite character: Ninny, the invisible child. Her journey from invisibility to visibility is incredibly moving and empowering, as she gradually regains her voice and self-esteem through kindness and care.

It’s a beautiful metaphor for how emotional neglect and fear can make someone ‘disappear’ – and how love, respect and security can bring them back to life.

I created a portrait of Tove for International Women’s Day as part of an illustration challenge. I wanted to highlight a woman whose creativity, courage and compassion continue to inspire generations. The piece was also intended as a small tribute to her multifaceted legacy.

I draw a lot of quick portraits. I created Tove’s portrait in August of 2020, when Tove and Finnish art were officially celebrated in Finland for the first time.

Iiva Vilvas, Finland

“Tove did and said what she wanted. She danced through many fields of art, let her queer flag soar (even at the Independence Day Reception) and depicted the absurdness of our world through her satirical work. 

The works and life of Tove are an endless source of inspiration and comfort for me.

I believe the most important quality and duty of an artist is to be interested in the world, and in Tove’s work that profound interest is particularly notable.

It can clearly be seen, for example, in the characters she created. Who hasn’t encountered a Hemulen, Fillyjonk or Nibling on occasion? There are a lot of familiar elements in Tove’s characters. They’re fragile, endearing and amusing.

My favourite character: Moominpappa – a hopeless romantic, a drama queen and a headstrong bohemian whose loved ones perhaps indulge him a bit too much. It’s easy to identify with him.”

Veronica Carratello, Italy

“I became immersed in Tove’s art – especially the Moomin universe – when I came across a beautiful exhibition at the Angoulême festival in my twenties. Her visual style is truly unique; I find her cover and colour illustrations particularly inspiring and try to capture their spirit in some of my own illustrations. The characters are fantastic and so clearly defined – who wouldn’t want to be part of Moominvalley and experience its carefree, whimsical ways!

I entered my illustrations into the Bologna Children’s Book Fair’s international illustration competition in 2021, and I was selected as one of 228 finalists from around the world. The project gave me the opportunity to experiment and explore new approaches. Tove also had a very distinctive style, which made illustrating her particularly fun.

My favourite character: Moominmamma’s maid, Misabel. She’s cute and funny, but she also holds a deeper meaning. Like Misabel, I used to have a lot of fears that I just couldn’t face – and it was a recurring theme in the comics that I wrote and drew. With their enthusiasm and innocence, the Moomin family manages to change the lives of both Misabel and her little dog, Sorry-oo.”

I created illustrations inspired by the life of Tove Jansson for the Bologna Children’s Book Fair’s international illustration competition in 2021. I tried to capture the familiar graphic style and colours of the Moomin books in my pieces.

I became a mother in 2023, and we started calling the little one ‘Moomintroll’ from the very beginning of the pregnancy. With this portrait, I wanted to pay tribute to Tove on her birthday, on Moomin’s Day.

Isabel Muñoz, Spain

“When I think of Tove, my heart is filled with kindness, love, warmth and nature. She restores my sense of joy and takes me back to my childhood.

As a child, I used to watch the Moomin series on Spanish television. I didn’t understand what I was watching and didn’t remember the name of the series, but I did remember something soft, white, fluffy and serene.

It was when I was a young adult living in London that I rediscovered that joy and started reading the Moomin novels. A few years later, I met a young Finnish woman who was doing her PhD on the life and books of Tove Jansson by chance at the Japan House in London. She told me a lot about the meaning behind the characters, for example, and I just fell even more in love with the Moomins and immersed myself in Tove’s art and life.

I think Tove’s life was a shout for freedom, it was very inclusive. Every new thing I read about her deepens my fascination.

The Moomins and the other characters in their world are all spectacular. Her illustrations are full of details and are very whimsical. I illustrate portraits and biographies through the Bright Agency and wanted to pay tribute to Tove with my portrait.

My favourite work: The Summer Book is astonishingly sensitive. I recommend reading the book on summer evenings – it makes your holiday last twice as long and completely immerses you in its beautiful, serene story.”

Mia Minerva, Finland

“Tove is a queer icon and an exceptional artist.

She appeals to people through her visual expression and the way she lived her life. For me, Tove is a role model both as an illustrator and as an openly queer artist. 

In 2022, I illustrated her assembling a floral wreath in Haru for POOF Magazine, a small queer zine. The issue was never published in the end, as production of the magazine ceased, but the illustration eventually ended up in my own prints.

My favourite character: I love Tove’s headstrong characters! Little My and Snufkin have always resonated with me.

Little My is feisty and fierce in defending herself and others, while Snufkin wanders down paths of his own. Both are also style icons.”

I wanted to depict Tove in her favourite place, the island of Haru, where she spent many a summer with her partner Tuulikki Pietilä.