Anna Pontus

I am a realist painter currently based in Portugal. I moved here a year and a half ago from Saint Petersburg, and this change has become an important part of my personal and artistic perspective.

In my work, I focus on beauty, liveliness, and fragility — qualities that already exist within a person and the world around us. I am drawn to what is subtle and vulnerable, to moments that are quiet yet deeply alive. I believe that art does not need to add meaning to reality, but can help us notice what is already present.

For me, painting is a way of looking that allows me to step away from social expectations and move closer to myself. Through this attentive gaze, I create images that invite the viewer to do the same — to slow down, to let go of imposed narratives, and to encounter something honest and personal.

Realism, in my practice, is not about accuracy or imitation. It is a language of sincerity and closeness, a way to speak simply and directly about inner states, without distance or excess explanation.

Living in a new country has heightened my sensitivity to light, details, and emotional nuance. My current work reflects this experience — a careful observation of people, moments, and everyday life that may appear ordinary, yet...

I did not receive formal academic training in painting. My artistic path developed gradually and independently.

At the beginning of my practice, I attended a short course in intuitive painting. After that experience, I worked independently for several years, developing my skills through self-directed practice and experimentation at home.

Later, I rented a workspace in a shared studio with another artist, where I received informal guidance and technical advice. This period helped me refine my approach to materials, technique, and observation.

Currently, I continue my practice independently, working from my home studio.