About artist Inese Poga

Art is the bridge between reality and our imagination. Art mirrors our principles, ideas and thoughts. Whatever the subject, we always paint and draw ourselves.

Inese Poga, art studio

I am an artist who is inspired by the reality of life and nature, but especially, the change of seasons.

There is always something to admire, something to put down on canvas or sketch. I would do more pencil drawings, but I cannot help: I love color too much!

I spend outdoors most days from April to November: not only gardening, but also sketching and painting.

During the very many months of pandemic, that has proved to be a very rewarding thing to do.

It’s no surprise my hand wants to draw and paint nature inspired subjects.

I prefer being inspired by the actual things I am drawing and painting, therefore, having numerous plants, flowers and trees around helps tremendously.

That is also the reason I’m not painting figures and portraits during the recent years.

The subjects I enjoy painting in the recent years are still life, landscape, especially, trees, as well as close-up paintings of floral art.

Still life with fruit and flowers, watercolor
Birch road, acrylic painting

Art is a friend, companion and healing therapy for me and has been for quite a few decades. Whenever something is not perfect in the world around us, I turn to art.

Whenever I want somebody else feeling better, too, I turn to painting and share it with my followers and art collectors.

Some of my paintings are created using images stored only in my memory, that’s why you will see landscapes, still life and flowers which are present in Latvia, Europe also. The part of Canada where I reside, near Toronto, has similar climate and nature.

Why Latvia? That’s because I relocated from there 19 years ago at not that young age. By the time I arrived in Canada, I was a well-established artist in Europe, yet, here I started practically from new again. You cannot take much with you in one suitcase, but that was the beginning after relocating to Canada: using a few brushes and watercolor set which I had taken with me.

Inese Poga art studio

Since that time, I have created numerous new paintings, participated in group art shows and had my solo shows also.

Between 2010 and 2019 I had my own art gallery in downtown Whitby, a small, but elegant town in the Greater Toronto Area.

It was a gorgeous small gallery which displayed my own art. I also gave numerous art classes and workshops there. I am currently residing and working in Ajax, Ontario.

I work in watercolor and acrylic mostly, but the concept is always born in a sketch or drawing which can be very detailed sometimes.

My drawings and paintings probably do not fit very well in any established category, except, in a highly personalized realism, perhaps. I love using abstract parts and mixing them with very detailed parts.

Altogether, that’s a realism adjusted to my personal taste and painted in my preferred colors.

Painting rose in watercolor
Sold paintings

If you look closely, there aren’t any unintentional brushstrokes or accidental lines in my art. I’m a very balanced person and so is my art.

My compositions are created intuitively, using the sense of space. I do always try to implement emotional aspect in my art.

Changes in nature are closely associated with seasons, and my art reflects them. I paint some subjects only in winter, and some – only in summer. Many of blue and green paintings are done between January and May.

I usually don’t stick closely to the photo, but implement my personal adjustments as I go.

Please, note that the look of painting images depends on the device you are using.

Every screen between us, every device which has been involved in the process of creating images of my art, changes how an image of painting looks.

That refers especially to colors. I always implement and use very balanced colors in my original paintings, unfortunately, photos cannot always capture that.

Birch art collections
About artist Inese Poga

Studio news is always on the Blog page: Inese’s blog

I also gladly share my drawing and painting skills, and schedule of art classes can be found on this website, too.

Group art classes

Private art lessons

Enjoy the pages of available paintings and you might find art which speaks to you.

Shop original acrylic paintings

Original watercolor paintings for sale

You will see quite a few collections of my art on Fine Art America. That has been my favorite print-on-demand site for about 10 years.

Art collections by Inese Poga

I am happy to meet people who love, collect and enjoy art. Please stop by or contact me via: Contact Inese Poga

174 Replies to “About artist Inese Poga”

  1. I am blown away by all the new artwork you’ve created since I last saw you. Your rich colors and varied themes are just beautiful.

  2. God, I just realised, you are Julian who we know so well, but haven’t seen for a while.
    Thanks even more for your wonderful comment.
    Come over some afternoon and have a look at the real stuff.

  3. I think About | inesepogagallery is a great post and you do a nice job of writing unique information. Tommie

  4. Inese, thank you for your comment and visiting me. I love your work and I am sure that there is plenty for me to learn from you. I’ll post in the next day or so another two pictures I have painted this week of Jerusalem in Oil in my evening class and I would appreciate your comment. I have no doubt that I’ll visit you again and again.

  5. Hi. When I saw your “follow” on the Christmas site, I had to hop over here and meet you. Your site is absolutely LOVELY. And, my, what great work you do! I am primarily a writer and a musician, but I have wanted to paint and just never thought I could. But — thanks to a couple of artists who have videos on public television — I got energized this past year, and I have at least begun — very inexpert, but I do it for fun and relaxation. I can’t wait until I have more time to come over here and stay for a longer visit. I honestly like everything you have on here, but so far my favorites are “Kitchen Symphony,” “Far Away,” and “Backyard Scene.” You are obviously living your dream, and that’s so exciting.

    Christmas blessings to you.
    Sandra

  6. Thank you Sandra so much for your absolutely fantastic comment. I started to follow your site because I love Christmas and everything about Christmas. It is one of those moments when my inspiration and ability to create something reach the highest levels. It’s everything: some sadness, some nostalgia, a lot of joy and feeling of miracles happening around us, some tears for people who have passed away, big rush getting all Christmas gifts and the indescribably great feeling of being able to give something to others. The pleasure of giving has always meant so much more for me than the delight of receiving. Decorating rooms, windows and porch is such an enjoyable pursuit, not to mention the preparation of all wonderful Christmas treats and foods.
    I wish you the best of luck with your writing, music and painting!
    Merry Christmas!

    1. Thanks Melissa for visiting my blog, as well. This site doesn’t contain much of my work, but, as you noticed, yes, I love bold color just like you do. However, I’m also doing recently some not that bold stuff. Thanks so much!

    1. Hi Michelle, thanks for your kind comment. I used to write haiku and tanka applying the classic count and pattern of phonetic units. That explains my interest in this type of poetry.

  7. Very colorful still_lifes, Those vegetables and such. Your space and the setting, is in a bright light, that seemed like a fresh break from what’s typical.

    1. Thanks, I am painting from set-up in the studio, and there is one spot where light always comes from the left, and obviously, there’s light in my imagination.

  8. Wow! Your art is gorgeous 🙂 Keep creating. You inspire us to take a closer look at the world around us. Thanks so much for the follow.

  9. Thank you for visiting and following my blog “Eyes to Heart.” Your work is beautiful. Colourful. Alive! With a touch of whimsy. That’s what I see. 😉 … Happy New Year! Dorothy 🙂

  10. signorina Inese, thank you for following my blog. your work is beautiful The colours and the texture just pops out with a softness. Lovely. Looking forward to viewing more.
    Hope spring comes soon in Whitby.
    Blessings.

    1. Hi Marcus! Thank you so much! It’s a pleasure to meet you, and your blog was great! I hope also that spring comes soon! You probably have some signs of spring already. Cannot wait when nicer weather arrives.

    2. Yes. It’s warmed up nicely. The cherry blossoms have started to bud. In a few weeks it will be in full bloom followed by magnolias. It’s a beautiful spring sight. Fills the heart.
      Have a great weekend.
      Hugs and howls.

    3. Oh my, that’s just fantastic. It’s hard to believe in a terrible weather like this we are still having there will be any magnolias blossoming soon. Oh well, this time will come and I will paint flowers in the garden again. Thanks and enjoy because there’s nothing more beautiful than the arrival of the blooming season.

  11. greetings, ill have to thank gigi for reflagging your recent post for bringing us together. your artwork is quite beautiful, even more amazing to think that you had no formal training.ty for liking my recent posts that included my artwork, those are the first drawings i’ve attempted in decades, i’m still finding ‘my eyes’ lol

    1. Thanks! I have to admit everybody was very nice and helped me out with this issue. I’m a big believer in doing. I have also noticed there are people who really have to learn to draw and so on, and there are the other ones who just took a pencil some time and went ahead drawing. There were no artists in my family, and nobody ever told me to draw or paint or explained how to do it. I started to draw when I was about 6, I simply liked it. I also did not do side-view drawings like kids often do, but started right away with 3-dimensional ones. Between ages 8 and 14 I read a book a day and draw or painted a painting a day. Once again, nobody told or asked me to do so. There was no internet those times, which means, nobody ever told me those drawings were any good, but they were just like these recent ones, I mean, it seems I had the feel for composition and other stuff already when I was just a kid.
      Well, I think painting or drawing is something which really requires to do it. Nobody can become any better by watching somebody else painting or reading about it. The more you do, the more efficient you become.
      I wish I had more time for painting because the main source of my income is medical research, writing and translations. I’ve been at the top of all medical translators who work in my language pairs (Latvian – English; English – Latvian and German – Latvian) for about 7 years or so, and I have devoted to this activity about 28 or close to 30 years. That’s how it goes: I run from computer to easel, to kitchen, out to the garden (when the weather is good), back to computer, again to easel or drawing table, and I can spend only a small bit of time on anything since I’m giving about 5 classes a week.
      Thank you very much for your nice comment, and just keep drawing, results will come as you do it!

    2. well, it sounds as though yours is a true gift, and you’re right, there is only one way to improve, to continue to train our eyes to ‘see’, see the details others do not. the epitome of what it is to be an artist.

      good on you for accomplishing so much with what you were given, it’s wonderful to see.

  12. Inese, I take my hat off to you, you are a great success story. Thank you for the follow on my own wee blog, it is greatly appreciated. If you have any requests or suggestions just let me know. Do you paint form photographs? MM 🍀

    1. Oh good that WordPress (I assume it was them?) closed her website! It is reassuring to know that there is some “justice” and measures were taken!! Glad to hear that.

    2. WordPress community is really supportive when it comes to issues like this one. It’s good to have a blog on this platform. However, there were owners of the stolen art who told they were going to take legal actions. Basically, such things usually don’t last long, one cannot thrive on other’s efforts forever. So, yes, there’s some justice.

    3. Very pleased to hear that. I am fairly new to WordPress but I get a nice feeling. And this confirms my feeling 🙂
      Have a lovely day. The sun just came out in Paris after a lot of rain.

    1. Thanks! That’s what I am painting. I love colors, lines and balance. All lines in my paintings are completed, I don’t paint sharp edges, and I believe that the painted image must have an interior “flow”. I also never use black. Black represents “no light”, and I’m avoiding it intentionally. My paintings are mostly about the energy they irradiate, and it’s not correct to say they are realistic; because they simply are not. It’s energy what I’m painting, and I am using some recognizable shapes and scenes to convey this idea: balance, completeness, abundance, light and good energy. Very simple, thanks for stopping by.

  13. I enjoyed seeing your visual artistic so well displayed. Our son is a graduate of School of Visual Arts and he has increased our love of art dramatically these past 10 years.

  14. Thank you! It’s amazing how you noticed that romantic touch. Sometimes people assume it’s reality I’m drawing or painting, but it actually is a bit idealized world which I’m trying to create with my works. Your comment is much appreciated!

  15. I love your art!! It is so beautiful! 🙂 You are really blessed with an amazing talent! 🙂 I love painting too, but I am not so good at it, I paint more for self-expression than to make something beautiful 🙂 Hope you will have a lovely creative day ahead! 🙂

    1. Thanks Line! I’ve been completely in all kinds of arts and creative stuff since early childhood! It just was in me already, so had to learn bringing it out! Painting for self-expression is as good as painting for any other reason! It makes your life richer and every day can present with some discovery! I wish you a new creative day, too!

    1. Thanks Daniella! The tricky part was I didn’t have any materials which I would normally use, not even table or desk. This is how these paintings came out. I appreciate your kind comment!

    1. Thanks so much for stopping by! I would love to move to California because I’m always better off in warmer temperatures, but it seems fairly impossible. Canadian fall weather is already setting in, so I’m in the sunny California in my thoughts!

    2. The weather can affect many conditions and our emotional and physical states. I have seen how well some medical conditions behave in less humidity and under pleasant temperatures, including type 1 diabetes which seems to be completely unrelated to the weather, but it actually is related via water and energy consumption and internal metabolism up to the cell level. I’ve been always very sensitive to any natural cycles like seasonal changes or weather abnormalities, I have no doubt your daughter is much better in such a climate as in California.

  16. Thanks for stopping by my page – glad you did. I enjoy your work and see some gift ideas for next Christmas already!! I start as soon as I finish the current year, the only I can do it. 😉

    1. I had to stop to think – I am getting old – lol – ….perfecting getting things done before Christmas, my goal is to have most if not all gifts done before Thanksgiving so I start for the following year as soon as I am done with the current one – so Christmas is always on my mind. And I guess you too, to be so busy and do such beautiful work. You are very talented.

    2. Thank you! I am unfortunately the last minute person, with everything and always, but I always get it done. I suppose I get more energy and more inspiration when I know there’s no time left to think whether I am going to do something or not. I can jump in. Good for you that you can start everything timely, I think, it’s great when somebody can it that way. Well, we all are different, and that’s good, too! Have a wonderful holiday season and very Merry Christmas!

  17. I love what you say about creating and healing. That has been my experience. So nice to meet you. I was able to heal myself very deeply from a serious illness using these ideas. <3 Much love to you — Laurie

    1. Thanks Laurie! I have quite a few bad conditions which actually cannot be straightened out completely, so I have learned how to live with them. Art and creation of art, sewing, making different stuff and designing, etc. helps me go through all pain attacks, periods of terrible depression, desperation because of bad worsening and so on. I simply have chosen to make more people aware of how much artistic activities can add to everybody’s life.

    2. I love that. I am just finishing up a little journal book to encourage others to express. I took a lot of pictures and wrote out a lot of insights about my own journey.. Then I dropped all of it in my first book and just shared my creative expressions through little poems. Then I wanted to share just a little more about my process.. but not so much my own photos and story.. but leaving space for others to explore their own. <3 So nice to cross paths with you. <3 I have had my share of illness and depression.. now I have a different perspective when the same symptoms appear.. because I stuck with this process.
      Much love always,
      Laurie

    3. Thanks Laurie! Creative ways of expressing ourselves support us a lot! Always, when nothing else can help. I believe you’re following my blog, I haven’t checked the stats recently. I would usually follow those blogs which follow me and mutually like their stuff, as well. Happy holidays!

  18. Beautiful Artwork Inese … I was never officially taught anything about Art.. And although I was helped by a wonderful teacher when I was between the ages of 8 to 11 to be creative with art at my junior school that was it.. I wanted to go to art school, but I was the eldest of 5 and my parents were not well off, so I went to work in a factory sewing at the age of 15..One week after leaving school back in the 60’s .. 🙂 But it all was part of the Universal plan.. 🙂

    I look forward to further exploring your blog in the New year..
    Blessings Sue

    1. Thanks Sue! Judging by your blog, you are very creative, and art is the perfect self-fulfilling solution for you, I have no doubts about that! I hope you’ll find lots of inspiration here! Merry Christmas!

    1. Thanks! Happy New Year to you, too! I’m usually following blogs which content or pictures, or writing I consider attractive or interesting. I appreciate when people follow back because WP is a community thing and that means mutual involvement, not one-sided likes, etc. I hope you’ll find my blog interesting enough to follow it, as well.

  19. My dear Inese, you are such an inspiration!! I made a collage for International Women’s Day of some of the women I admire and inspire me! I hope you like the photo I chose of you; I love daisies!

    Thank you for being part of my blogging adventure!!

    ♥ carmen

    1. Thank you Carmen so much! It is great to know somebody can get inspiration from my posts and pictures! I will have to check out that post! Have a fantastic weekend! I always enjoy reading your posts!

    1. Thank you so much for thinking about me! I used to accept all awards, I’m not sure if I have time for that at the moment, but anyway, it is so nice and I will check out your Liebster award!

    2. So kind of you to respond and much appreciated. Blessings to you with your wonderful and inspirational blog!

    1. Thanks! Most likely, I got on your blog through some friend’s blog, maybe Cynthia’s. I’m usually following blogs which I consider interesting or in other way attractive.

    1. Maybe I have used up all widgets, didn’t see such option, will have to check some time. Right now busy typing lots of texts in dentistry. I am doing all kinds of medicals, from pharmaceuticals, clinical trials and discharge summaries to huge manuals for eye surgery devices, ultra sound imaging devices and brain vessel catheters. That way. I have to know everything which takes a lot of research and expertise.

    2. I don’t know. It simply damages eyes and makes one stiff. I rush these jobs because of deadlines and then I have no jobs or take no jobs for a while because it’s difficult. This is for medical professionals and I need to specialize in everything, but it keeps my brain very sharp. Thankfully, I can recall some terms which needed 8 years ago, like yesterday, I recall the exact file and customer and find it easily. I think it trains memory and mind a lot and that’s the only reason I like this type of job because it’s not well paid (high competition), although, it’s a very difficult type of writing and translation and involves making up new terms and explaining previously non-existent terms to medical specialists in Latvia.

    3. Sounds complex.. But when one gets used to it it becomes second nature.. I would imagine the back and fingers ache… I ache today more sitting on the PC than a full day in the garden 🙂

    4. It can be complex, it can be so that I sit and cry because I cannot make myself type any longer which can be 14 hours a day. Back, hands, arms, neck, shoulders, eyes, everything. It’s not a good way to live, but we all need some money.

  20. I love your artwork, I work in the creative field, but have no talent for drawing whatsoever…I tried. I wanted to be able to paint so badly.
    I was born in Europe as well, right on the border between Austria and Italy. So koennen wir uns gerne auch in Deutsch unterhalten 🙂
    Nice to meet you~!

    1. Thanks for returning the visit! I strictly believe everybody can learn draw, it’s just so we first need to learn seeing things. If you were here I would make out of you a real artist. Ich spreche auch Deutsch. In fact, I have my first MA degree in German language and literature. I cannot type on this keyboard without switching it over which I don’t want to do since I need also my native Latvian keyboard. Nice to meet you, as well, and I’d be happy you have a look at the lifeschool blog some time. https://inesepogalifeschool.com/

    1. Thanks! I appreciate you stopped by. I’m wondering whether you saw the other posts on the other blog https://inesepogalifeschool.com/. While WP is an ok platform to build a blog on, it’s very difficult when one has more than one blog. So, the secondary never shows up and I need to notify people specifically to sign up for that one.

  21. Hello Inese. Thank you for dropping by my blog and liking my Eagle painting. After reading your bio I can see you are an accomplished woman with an extraordinary talent for painting. Beautiful work! I I was absent from painting for over thirty years. I forgot how therapeutic painting is. Thank you for sharing your work. Kevin

  22. Have you tried selling on ebay? They’re free to list, including photo & description – only charge a small percentage if it sells. Have used it to sell everything from my old dance costumes to sofas (larger items I sold for pick up only, not to be mailed). Its easy – the first post takes a little time to figure out how to do, but all is downhill after that. Just a thought.

    1. I haven’t, but I looked at it. I don’t have that many easy to or inexpensively to ship items and I also do not make prints. The other aspect is that it is so huge. I am already on a few large sites, and it doesn’t seem to be working too well. I had a few ideas, but they didn’t get executed just because I was unable to do anything. I am still very very tired most of the time. It is an accumulated tiredness from all pills and treatments. It’s going to take a while to return to normal. I’m still on medications until the end of Sept. I will have to start fresh when this is over. I certainly have to do videos. I am trying to figure out how to do this on my own. Painting is not like one sits in front of the screen and talks, it takes the right angles, the right tools and lights. Lights might be my most sensitive issue. Winter is coming, and that means very little daylight.

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