For almost three decades Risto Turunen has worked as a professional artist. Beginning after graduating
from a high school commercial art program, he entered the workforce as a layout and illustration artist at the
Toronto Sun. After a short stint there, he spent most of the eighties creating larger-scale oil and mixed media
paintings. Represented by Toronto’s Nancy Poole’s Studio, his art sold to collectors across the continent.

In 1989, his main focus shifted to freelance illustration, working for the advertising, editorial, institutional and
publishing fields as well as taking on the occasional mural commission. Based out of London, Ontario his
illustrations varied widely in style and medium to meet the eclectic needs of the local market. Together his art
and illustrations have won several awards along with the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant.

Today Risto lives with his wife and four daughters in Peterborough, Ontario.