First steps in the world of art

Tarmo Laanetu’s (12.12.1974, artist name: Tartz) artistic journey began at the age of four in the summer of 1978 on the windswept shores of Triigi Beach, Saaremaa Island, Estonia. Amid the island’s wild beauty, alongside his parents and renowned Estonian artist Priit Pärn, Tarmo created his first painting. a bold, instinctive work of the seashore landscape that led Pärn to declare: “Never send this kid to an art school—they will spoil him!”. This moment sparked a lifelong passion for capturing the world’s fleeting beauty through vibrant Impressionist brushstrokes.

First exhibition at age 15

By spring 1989, at age 15, Tarmo held his first exhibition at Tartu Miina Härma Secondary English-Based School in Soviet-occupied Estonia. The exhibition showcased his raw talent. As a result, the school selected him to represent them in a student exchange to the USA. However, the 1991 Soviet military putsch ruined those plans.

When Estonia reclaimed independence on August 20, 1991, Tarmo seized a new opportunity from the Tartu Rotary Club. Consequently, he moved to Turku, Finland, to study at Turun Normaalikoulu International Baccalaureate School as a Rotary exchange student. Meanwhile, he kept painting after school. He drew inspiration from Finland’s serene landscapes and dynamic light.

Second exhibition in Turu

In spring 1992, at age 17, Tarmo held his second exhibition of 20 paintings. His host family and Martti Antola, Director of Turun Kristillinen Opisto, organized the event. Significantly, they held it as a sales exhibition to support his studies. Remarkably, buyers purchased all paintings on the opening day, May 12, 1992. The sales earned Tarmo an astonishing 86,000 Finnish marks in cash. This was an extraordinary sum for a young artist, especially compared to the economic realities of post-Soviet Estonia. Ultimately, this financial independence fueled his creative drive and strengthened his decision to pursue art during his remaining years of college.

Returning to Art from the Business World

In 1994, after graduating in Finland, Tarmo enrolled in the Faculty of Law at Tartu University. Afterward, he pursued MBA studies at the Estonian Business School and later completed executive studies at Wharton Business School. Meanwhile, Tarmo dived into the business world of investment and healthcare, and he also painted occasionally until 2012. However, only a few selected paintings were completed during this period.

In 2024, Tarmo found new inspiration, and since then he has been painting regularly under the artist brand name Tartz. As a result, his most recent works are now exhibited on this page for viewers to enjoy and contemplate.