Tomas Vagner
Abstract Artist Known for Large-Scale Paintings
Art Without Limits, Created from Feeling, Not Form
I’m an artist who works instinctively, often without a set plan. My paintings evolve as I go, shaped by mood, memories, travels, and imagination. What starts as free-flowing expression often ends up revealing something deeper. I gravitate towards bold, abstract work in large formats. For me, art is about freedom; there are no rules, no restrictions. It’s just me, the canvas, and the energy I bring into the room.
My creative style is raw, expressive, and powerful. I want my art to make a statement, to transform a space and give it character. A large painting can elevate a modern home or a spacious loft, adding elegance, emotion, and something truly unique.
Member of the Swedish Artists’ Association (Svenska Konstnärsförbundet).
From Life to Canvas, Tomas’s Story
The Early Years: From Norrköping to New York
A Childhood of Big Dreams and Bigger Contrasts
I was born in Norrköping in 1970 to Czech parents who fled the country during the Prague Spring. My early years were spent in Hageby, where I often daydreamed of other places—mountains, cities, wide-open landscapes. I was drawn to strong, modern architecture and anything that hinted at a bigger world. My mother worked at the Swedish Maritime Administration, in a building that looked like it came from the future. That sense of design stuck with me.
Eventually, our family moved to Klockaretorpet, a newer suburb with more nature and freedom. But even there, I knew I wasn’t meant to stay put.
Education and Exploration
The Start of a Creative Journey
After school, I attended Helliden Folk High School, where I studied advertising and graphic design. I was drawn to creative, fast-paced work, though fine art still felt distant and intimidating. I didn’t yet feel like I had something important to say as an artist.
Then came Stockholm—finally, the energy I’d been searching for. I lived in the heart of the city, surrounded by inspiration and ambition. I studied international advertising and set my sights abroad.
Life in New York: A Turning Point
Living the Dream, Finding the Path
New York was everything I’d imagined—big, bold, and electrifying. I studied, interned, and lived in Manhattan. It felt surreal. But after some time, I found myself missing the greenery, the calm, and the people back home. I returned to Stockholm with new energy and perspective.
Back in Sweden, I worked as a graphic designer, which helped sharpen my sense of colour, form, and visual storytelling. I also began to paint more seriously. Friends and colleagues started to notice. Something inside me shifted—I began to imagine a future as a full-time artist.
London, Art, and Self-Belief
New Influences, New Confidence
My travels took me to London during the DotCom boom. I worked as an Art Director and Illustrator, lived in a cramped flat, and soaked up the city’s buzzing cultural life. I spent weekends exploring galleries, museums, and underground art spaces. I realised that art didn’t have to follow rules—it could be bold, diverse, and accessible. This changed everything. Surrounded by other creatives, I started believing in my own artistic voice.
A New Chapter: Spain and Family Life
Building a Life in the Sun
A few years later, life took another exciting turn. I met my partner, we moved to Spain, started a business, and had two beautiful children. We built a life surrounded by mountains and the sea. Every day offered new inspiration. When time allowed, I painted—fuelled by the landscapes around me and the desire to show my children that dreams are worth chasing.
The Unexpected Return to Sweden
From Short Stop to Full Chapter
After six years in Spain, life brought us back to Sweden. Returning to Stockholm wasn’t an option with young kids and finances tied up in property. So, we made the best of it and settled in Örebro. What was meant to be temporary became a longer chapter. Our children thrived, and I had the space and time to focus on painting. I began exhibiting, taking commissions, and seriously pursuing art as a career.
The Move to Skåne: Finding Home by the Sea
A Creative Haven in Southern Sweden
Eventually, the itch to move struck again. I longed for the sea, the sky, and new surroundings. Skåne kept calling. We discovered the charming coastal village of Viken in Höganäs—alive with beauty, atmosphere, and community. We first rented a beach house with panoramic sea views. It was pure magic.
In 2021, we made it official. We bought a house, built new friendships, and embraced a life that feels both peaceful and full of possibility. I now have my studio in Ödåkra, just a short drive away, and easy access to Denmark and the rest of Europe.
Today: Freedom, Art, and the Ongoing Journey
Creating With Purpose, Living With Curiosity
Looking back, it’s easy to see how every place, person, and experience has shaped me. My restlessness has led to growth. I’m constantly searching, learning, and experimenting—because that’s where true freedom lives. And for me, freedom is the ability to paint, exhibit, and share my art with others.
Art has taken me from Sweden to New York, London, and Spain, and back again. Each step has brought me closer to my voice as an artist. Now, in this phase of life by the sea, I feel deeply inspired to keep creating and to invite others into the experience through my work.
