This extraordinary collection of over three hundred captivating watercolor and ink artworks offers a window into the divine pastimes of Lord Rama as narrated by the sage Valmiki. Anna Johansson’s intricate detail, delicate hues, and poetic charm beautifully convey the essence of this timeless epic.
Accompanying the artwork is Vrinda Sheth’s brief yet vivid retelling of the Ramayana, which invites deep meditation. For countless generations, the Ramayana has captivated the imagination of many. Discover new dimensions of this rich tradition in Illuminations from the Ramayana.
Anna’s art reflects her deep spiritual nature that resonates with the bhakti-yoga tradition of ancient India. Each of Anna’s pieces radiates a sense of serenity and unalloyed bhakti or devotion. Through delicate brush strokes she has spent hours creating forests and flowers, animals and people, gods and demons that all come to life in her unique, artistic expressions. Her paintings and illustrations are full of poetry and sweetness. The delicate colours are full of tenderness and soothing to the eye. The intricate detail is impressive, as is the sheer variety and quantity of her productions.
Working with watercolour, pencil and ink, this MOSA art collection represents the zenith of Anna’s long artistic career. She has illustrated several books, one of them a children’s book (The Peaceable Forest, Kosa Ely, Insight Kids, 2012) and the award-winning Sita’s Fire trilogy, a mother-daughter collaboration. Originally from Sweden, Anna now lives and blossoms in Florida with her husband, Leonard Cohen. Her full collection of watercolour illustrations can be found at her website www.sitasfire.com.
Annapurna is a Swedish-born watercolour artist whose creative journey is shaped by her love of nature, deep spirituality, and vibrant family life. As a wife, mother, and grandmother to three radiant children, her art carries the gentle grace and wisdom of someone deeply connected to the world around her.
Annapurna’s artistic style is rooted in the belief that true beauty often resides in the unnoticed and understated. She likens herself to a wildflower—delicate yet resilient, growing freely wherever it finds light, often mistaken for something ordinary until observed closely, where its unique elegance comes alive. Like these flowers, her work emerges without constraints, expressing itself naturally and authentically.
Her fascination with colours, forms, and textures has been a lifelong passion. Annapurna has always found visual imagery to be her most powerful language, a way to communicate feelings and concepts that words could never fully convey. Watercolour, pencil, and ink are her chosen media, offering her a fluid and versatile canvas to explore the ethereal themes she loves: the delicate interplay of light and shadow, the richness of ancient wisdom, and the serenity of meditation.
Annapurna’s studio is her sanctuary—a place where the outside world fades away, and inspiration flows from within. It is here that she creates art infused with the devotional essence of bhakti, inspired by the timeless spiritual heritage of India. This love for India’s ancient culture and traditions breathes life into her work, guiding her hand as she strives to capture not just the form, but the spirit of her subjects.
Her journey as an artist has been marked by both material and spiritual challenges, each teaching her resilience and patience. She believes that mastering fine art is a lifelong pursuit, one that demands a dedication to practice and an openness to the subtle lessons hidden within every stroke of the brush.
Annapurna’s paintings are more than visual expressions—they are reflections of her soul, offering a glimpse into a world where the sacred and the mundane coexist in perfect harmony. Through her art, she invites the viewer to pause, look a little closer, and discover the beauty that exists all around us, even in the smallest of details.
