Sofya Demskaya (b. 1978) is a Belgian visual artist living in Ostend, Belgium.
Since early childhood, she has nurtured a deep passion for painting and drawing, which she first explored through several years of formal art education for children.
Since early childhood, she has nurtured a deep passion for painting and drawing, which she first explored through several years of formal art education for children.
During that period, she became acquainted with the fundamentals of academic drawing and painting, the principles of composition, and the rich traditions of art history.
Due to difficult family circumstances, she had to interrupt her studies and relocate with her family to another country. For many years, her artistic voice remained silent — until 2004, when she returned to painting with renewed dedication.
In 2013, Sofya graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (KASK) in Ghent, earning a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in photography. Her academic training in visual storytelling and composition continues to inform her artistic vision today.
Following her graduation, she gradually returned to painting, with an increasing focus on watercolours. She had the privilege of studying at the Flemish Watercolor and Drawing School under the direction of the renowned Belgian watercolorist and teacher Fernand Thienpondt.
Sofya is a member of the Belgian Aquarel Institute (AIB) and serves as a board member of the International Watercolor Society of Belgium. She regularly takes part in solo and group exhibitions, both in Belgium and abroad.
Today, her work explores themes of silence, fragility, and the mysterious beauty of nature — often featuring ethereal landscapes and untamed horses as recurring motifs. In addition to her painting practice, she is engaged in artistic education and mentorship, sharing her knowledge and passion through individual lessons and creative projects.
Exhibitions and awards
In recent years she has participated in various national and international exhibitions:
2024 - participation at 40th Aquarel Salon in Mol, Belgium
2023 - duo-exhibition with Eric Mercier, organized by Willemsfonds Brugge, the 2XKunst project
2022 - the quatro-exhibition, organized by art group MENS (as a member), Damme, Belgium
2022 - participation at the exhibition of Watercolor Institute of Belgium (AIB), Belgium
2022 - participation at the International Festival Monza in Acqurello, Italy
2021 - participation at the First National Watercolor Festival, organized by IWS Belgium, Bruges
2021 - participation at watercolor collective exhibition in Saint Chamond, France
2021 - participation at Festival International de L'Aquarelle de Liege, museum of La Boverie
2021 - participation at the 1st International Festival 'Watercolor with Love', Russia
2020 - finalist of the International Watercolor Project 'Christmas Light', Gdansk, Poland
2020 - finalist of the International Watercolor Festival Fabriano in Acquarello, Fabriano, Italy
2019 - participation at 38th Aquarel Salon in Aarschot, Belgium
2019 - finalist of the International Watercolor Festival Step by Step in Gdansk, Poland (Winner of the 3d Stage)
2019 – participation at the 1st International Watercolour Exhibition in Kaapeli, Helsinki, Finland
2019 – finalist of the International Watercolor Festival Fabriano in Acquarello, Fabriano, Italy
2018 – finalist of the International Watercolor Contest, organized by Galleria Esde, Cagliari, Italy
2018 – finalist of the 1st International Watercolour Festival in Prague, Czech Republic (Appreciation Award)
2018 – finalist of the International Festival Urbino in Acquerello, Urbino, Italy
2018 – participation at the exhibition dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the Watercolor Institute of Belgium
2017 – participation at 37th Aquarel Salon in Alden Biesen, Belgium
Sofya is open to new artistic collaborations and projects.
Feel free to reach out via the contact page
Feel free to reach out via the contact page