Painter Roland Pantze lives close to nature in Sweden and his exhibit at the Nordic Heritage Museum gives viewers an intimate look at the lifestyles of the Sami people.

In his exhibit, "Roland Pantze Painter of Sami Life," the artist has used his canvas to document life in the Norrbotten mountain region of Sweden where the Sami, an indigenous people live. They can also be found in Norway, Finland and Russia.

One painting, "Looking Into the Future," done in 2007 with oil on canvas shows a Sami mother, carrying her child, while looking out over the vast landscape dotted with tepees, (like the ones made by Native Americans in the U.S.) and elk roaming the plain. The child is wearing a traditional Sami outfit. The mother with a Sami hat, is wearing a sweatshirt, with "Levi Straus," printed on it. The contrast in clothing represents the Pantze's message of the Sami people's determination to survive in a time of change.

"They are adapting to modern life, but still have old time thinking. They are very strong. Many native people around the world suffer from exploitation and lose identity. Sadly these people suffer from development and lose land," said Pantze.

During the opening reception for his show there were many questions directed toward Pantze about his subject matter.

Pantze said the Sami culture is not well known and people asked him many questions.

One visitor had a strong reaction to the paintings she saw. "The woman started to cry, she was overwhelmed by the images and the memories it brought back. It's nice when your paintings go straight to the heart," said Pantze.

Diana Ng was one of those moved by the exhibit. "The paintings are beautiful, large and perfectly illuminated so the color in the paint pigment comes alive. These paintings illustrate a way of life I have never actually seen in person, but now I am seeing and it's hard to believe. His paintings have the ability to draw one close and gently reach out and touch something inside ones heart," said Ng.

Pantze began painting as a child. His family lived in the wilderness and he spent hours exploring the world around him.

On rainy days, he stayed inside to paint from memory and sketches he made.

Now he is a fulltime artist who is widely exhibited. Pantze said he doesn't have the stress of a regular job and can stay in a meditative mood.

"My whole life is art. I capture light and special things," Pantze said.

This is Pantze's second exhibit in the U.S. In the mid-1990s he showed his work at the Swedish American Museum Center in Chicago.

When the Chicago show ended, he went to Alaska and stayed in a small cabin. He had 20 husky dogs with him. "I explored and enjoyed the winter with low temperatures and the clear skies," he said.

Pantze is a former long distance Swedish champion musher. Pantze said whether it's working with dogs or art, you need to work hard and it's not easy.

Living in remote Alaska fit his philosophies on life and his art focusing on natural untouched wilderness.

"My lifestyle does not conform to the modern world. I strive to avoid the artificial constraints on time and space imposed by such items as a watch, a calendar or the precise coordinates of a place," said Pantze.

He now lives in Arjeplog, Sweden.

Visit http://www.rolandpantze.com. "Roland Pantze Painter of Sami Life," runs through April 20 at the Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 N.W. 67th St. Call 789-5707 or visit http://www.nordicmuseum.org.