Sandra Poliakov’s vibrant, emotive artworks are available for licensing. To bring her distinctive style to your store, or creative projects, contact us to discuss licensing opportunities and terms.
Artist Spotlight: Sandra Poliakov
Pictufy team ● september 18, 2025
Budapest-based contemporary artist Sandra Poliakov transforms everyday life into vibrant, playful artworks. Inspired by her travels and experiences living abroad, Sandra captures emotional and visual impressions with expressive color and line. Her work invites us to pause, dream, and find beauty in the ordinary.
From her earliest memories of drawing as a child to her current projects, Sandra’s journey is a story of curiosity, courage, and creativity. In this Q&A, she shares her inspirations, creative process, and the experiences that shape her art.
What early experiences or memories first drew you to art?
I’ve been drawing and painting since childhood—it was always my way of making sense of the world. Growing up between cultures, moving from Israel to Moscow, then to Barcelona and later Budapest, I often felt a little out of place. Art was the one space where I felt completely at home, where language or geography didn’t matter.
Was there a person, place, or moment that inspired you to start creating?
I don’t think I ever lacked inspiration to create—what I lacked was the courage to imagine art as my livelihood. My husband has been my biggest supporter in that sense. Places also play an invisible but powerful role in my art. I often revisit them in my imagination when shaping the overall mood of a piece. Having lived in several countries, I carry a quiet nostalgia for each one. I’m especially drawn to Southeast Asia—when I first traveled to Thailand, it felt like stepping into a completely new world, and that sense of wonder has never left me.
How did your artistic career begin, and what challenges did you face along the way?
I started by sharing my work online, which led to commissions in illustration and graphic design. While those projects were rewarding, I always found client work energetically draining. It wasn’t until I became pregnant with my daughter, when I finally allowed myself to pause and reflect, that my own style and artistic voice truly began to bloom. As for challenges, I’m still learning the ins and outs of running an art business—it can be overwhelming, but it’s also deeply exciting.
How has your style evolved over the years, and are there phases or experiments that stand out?
My work has grown more expressive over time, with bolder outlines, simplified forms, and an ever-stronger focus on color and atmosphere. Right now, I feel myself leaning into a more relaxed style, but color and mood remain at the heart of everything. I’ve had phases of abstraction and of symbolic storytelling, but through it all, my love for vibrant colors and timeless depictions of women has stayed constant.
“Art was the one space where I felt completely at home, where language or geography didn’t matter.”
Can you describe your process for creating a new piece, from initial idea to finished work?
It often begins with a feeling—a fragment of a story, a place, or even a scent. Sometimes it’s an ancient image from ancient art, and sometimes it’s a conversation with another woman. I start with very loose sketches before moving to canvas or my iPad, working in acrylics or Procreate. Color always leads the way—I spend time mixing until I find the right harmony (my studio is full of tiny painted papers for testing), and I keep layering until the composition feels both balanced and alive.
What drives you to create, and what themes or ideas do you explore through your art?
I’m often sparked by sensations—a color combination, a smell, the feeling of a space. I usually paint women in states of quiet presence, which many viewers interpret in their own deeply personal ways. Recently, my commission paintings have become a beautiful exchange, where women share their stories and I translate them into symbolic portraits. Small motifs—trees, fruit, suns, shells—often appear, carrying quiet layers of meaning.
Is there a particular piece that stands out as a favorite or milestone in your career?
There are many. Some are commissioned portraits where the symbolism aligned perfectly with a client’s story, creating something magical. Others are pieces where I managed to capture exactly what I imagined. But truthfully, my favorites are often my latest works—they carry the most excitement and freshness for me.
How do you hope people feel, or what do you hope they take away when they experience your art?
I hope they feel calm and recognized—as if they are seen, and as if they are invited into a more colorful, peaceful world. My wish is for my paintings to serve as reminders of beauty and presence in daily life.
Have you collaborated with brands, other artists, or organizations? What insights did those experiences bring?
Yes, I’ve collaborated with publishers, wellness brands, design studios, and food companies. Each collaboration has taught me new ways that art can live beyond the canvas—on packaging, textiles, or in public spaces. I love the idea that people can encounter art unexpectedly, woven into the fabric of their everyday routines.
Looking ahead, what projects excite you most, and are there any collaborations or directions you hope to explore?
I’m especially excited to continue expanding into home and lifestyle collaborations. What inspires me most is the idea of art not only hanging on walls, but becoming part of everyday rituals—objects and spaces that people live with and touch, making the experience of art more tangible and intimate.
