10 Brilliant Artists You Should Know—Who Just Happen to Be Women
Sofia Del Rivero, Bossladies, Oil on Canvas
1. Adriana Miranda isn’t just making art, she’s bottling childhood nostalgia and serving it with a wink. A Chicago-based artist, she blends East-West influences with Basquiat-style energy, turning personal memories into bold, electric canvases. Her work straddles the line between playful and rebellious, tackling feminism, identity, and the messy beauty of growing up. Layered textures, distorted figures, and a riot of color make her pieces feel like a dream you don’t want to wake up from. With a growing roster of exhibitions and collectors, she’s taking the art world by storm—next stop, global domination.
!["Terms & Conditions [Press A to Accept]" 2024](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/679b9eb8fcee400cf16c4edb/1738363137315-7K2H0FTF7LO9S3IMDHJ7/Adriana+Miranda+2.png)
2. Synthia SAINT JAMES doesn’t just paint—she radiates. A self-taught powerhouse, her art is a vibrant love letter to the African diaspora, using bold colors and geometric forms to celebrate culture, identity, and unity. Best known for designing the first U.S. Kwanzaa stamp and the cover of Waiting to Exhale, her work pulses with warmth, rhythm, and storytelling. Each piece is an invitation—step into a world where Black joy is front and center, community is sacred, and diversity is embraced with open arms. Whether gracing murals, book covers, or gallery walls, her work reminds us that art isn’t just seen—it’s felt. And in a world that often forgets to celebrate Black excellence, SAINT JAMES makes sure it’s impossible to ignore.
3. Annette Schmucker doesn’t waste time painting what you see—she’s more interested in what you feel. Her work is a masterclass in controlled chaos, where light smashes into color, and landscapes melt into pure atmosphere. Think Turner meets a sci-fi fever dream.
She started in medicine but traded scalpels for paintbrushes, which, let’s be honest, are just as messy. Her technique? A bold mix of oil and acrylic, layered with just the right amount of mystery. Schmucker’s paintings don’t just hang on a wall—they pull you in, mess with your perception, and leave you wondering.
4. Catherine Zivi isn't your typical artist; she's a storyteller who swaps words for clay and canvas. With a background in journalism, she traded the pen for pottery tools over a decade ago and hasn't looked back. Her sculptures capture the human experience, portraying characters that exude serenity, joy, or nostalgia. Working with chamotte clay, Zivi experiments with textures, alternating between smooth finishes and rugged surfaces to bring her figures to life. Not confined to sculpture alone, she also delves into painting and engraving, showcasing her versatility across mediums. Each piece invites viewers into her world, offering a glimpse into the emotions and stories she masterfully conveys without uttering a single word.
5. Keri Rosenbraugh isn't just painting pretty pictures; she's on a mission to make you think about our planet. Splitting her time between Los Angeles and Marnay Sur Seine, France, Rosebraugh dives deep into the intricate dance between humans and the environment. Her work spans from kelp-inspired paintings to thought-provoking installations, all echoing her passion for ecological themes. With a Master's degree from SACI in Florence, Italy, she's showcased her art in places as diverse as Los Angeles, Svalbard, Norway, Astoria, Oregon, Baker, Oregon, and Paris, France. Each piece challenges viewers to reflect on their relationship with nature, making her art not just visually striking but also a call to action.
6. Juliana Do Born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and now making Vienna her canvas, Juliana Do is an abstract painter who dances on the fine line between control and spontaneity. Her work is a vibrant exploration of color's transformative power, pushing boundaries to create pieces that are as thought-provoking as they are visually striking. Educated at the High School of Fine Arts "Tz. Lavrenov" in Plovdiv, she has honed her craft to perfection. Juliana's art has graced galleries across Europe, including Austria, the United Kingdom, and Germany, earning her numerous awards and international acclaim. Each painting is a testament to her ability to balance structure with freedom, inviting viewers into a world where color reigns supreme
7. Sophia Del Rivero crafts visual stories that celebrate the effortless grace and subtle strength of feminine beauty. Her oil paintings, bursting with vibrant colors, are a nod to her Mexican heritage and the lively energy of her hometown, Miami. Each piece is designed to captivate, bringing a smile to your face as you take in the bold yet whimsical imagery. Beyond the canvas, Sofia is the founder of Art Box Miami, where she shares her passion by offering creative workshops and art lessons, nurturing the next generation of artists. Her work doesn't just hang on walls; it brings spaces to life, from private residences to public murals, like the one adorning Jaguar Restaurant in Miami. With a BFA in Studio Art from NYU, Sofia continues to push boundaries, recently putting a modern twist on ancient embroidery and weaving techniques to honor her roots and portray strong women.
7. Christina Martzoukou Blurring the lines between digital and traditional, Christina Martzoukou creates hypnotic, surreal landscapes that feel like stepping into a dream you almost remember. Her use of bold colors, intricate textures, and fluid movement transforms everyday moments into something magical. If art is meant to transport, Martzoukou’s work takes you somewhere entirely new—no passport required.
8. Elina Ruska is a distinguished artist whose work transcends traditional boundaries, inviting introspection and emotion. Renowned for her innovative use of color and form, her pieces reflect a deep connection to nature by merging organic elements with abstract expressionism. Ruska uniquely evokes both serenity and unrest, setting her apart in contemporary art. Each piece narrates a story, encouraging profound audience engagement. Her commitment to sustainable materials enhances her artistry, creating visually striking and environmentally conscious pieces. This blend of aesthetics and ethics establishes Elina Ruska as a visionary artist.
9. Olga Geoghegan is a London-based artist whose evocative paintings capture the essence of human experience. At the age of ten, she was offered a place at the Leningrad Academy of Art's special art school, and later graduated from the prestigious St. Petersburg Academy of Art. Her work, influenced by her upbringing in the Soviet Union, features universal and haunting depictions of people, places, and objects. Geoghegan has exhibited extensively across Europe and the United States, including notable shows at the Royal Drawing School and Messums in London. Her paintings are held in private collections worldwide, reflecting her international acclaim.
10. Oleksandra Stepanenko known professionally as Sasha Q, is a Ukrainian artist whose work delves into the depths of consciousness and the transcendental. Born in Kyiv, she graduated from the Mykhailo Boichuk Kyiv State Academy of Decorative-Applied Arts and Design. Following the Russian invasion in 2022, Stepanenko relocated to Toronto, Canada, where she continues her artistic journey. Her multidisciplinary practice encompasses fine art painting, digital art, and murals, often exploring themes of nostalgia and the intersection of analog and digital eras. Her "Other Worlds" series, for instance, invites viewers into immersive, dreamlike landscapes that challenge perceptions of reality. Through her art, Stepanenko offers a meditative exploration of the human psyche and the mysteries of existence.
