about
© Michael Hopf
I'm Sonja, a nature-inspired painter based in Grünwald, near Munich — a small town whose name means "green forest." My studio sits at the forest's edge, where I see the sun rise through the leaves each morning.
My work moves between abstraction and realism, rooted in close observation of the natural world. Each painting begins with a color palette built around a sense of calm, and compositions that echo subtle movement in nature. I draw from field sketches, photography, and gathered textures of moss, stone, and tree bark.
My paintings bring nature's complexity into your space — offering calm, quiet depth, and a sense of expansion. Built on reduced color palettes, each work creates a serene visual space where the eye rests and the mind wanders freely. The paintings are thought to create an atmosphere, that make a room feel more grounded, more inspired, and more connected to the natural world.
I work in watercolor, ink, and gouache on raw canvas. Loose washes open each piece, flowing organically into the surface and successive layers bring structure, detail, and depth.
My background in architecture and spatial and graphic design shapes how I think about composition — through form, light, and the tensions between them. I draw on the Impressionists' study of dissolving light, on architectural ideas of nonlinear and conceptual space, and on the philosophy of New Materialism.
Original paintings are available for direct purchase, priced from €200 to €1,200 depending on size and medium. Every work is signed and comes with a certificate of authenticity. I also take on a select number of bespoke commissions each year — if you have a space or vision in mind, feel free to get in touch.