My name is Anna-Liisa Pihlap. I’m a 22-year-old artist based in Estonia, painting expressive landscapes using acrylics.

About the artist

The purpose of my pursuit of painting is to evoke a sense of awe and appreciation for reality itself by capturing and elevating the forms of the natural world.

This is done by also incorporating my own personal characteristics and emotional life - hoping to add a sense of authenticity and a personal connection to what is seen.

My Story

Growing up in Estonia, a small country in Northern Europe, I developed a deep admiration for nature.

It provided me with a refuge to reflect on my thoughts, which the fast-paced modern world rarely allowed me to do. This process offered me a sense of direction, even during the most challenging times in my life.

I pursued my passion for art by studying at the Children's Art School of Tartu, where I developed my skills and explored various visual art forms.

During this time, I discovered my true love for painting, which has been my dedicated focus ever since.

In addition, I discovered that outdoor activities have the unique ability to bring me back to the present moment and instill a kind of calmness within me.

At the age of 16, I began to contemplate what I should spend my time doing and what my calling in life might be, and I realized that I had a message to convey. This realization was largely thanks to the peace of mind I found in nature. I felt a strong urge to capture the feeling of gratitude and reverence that I had towards the natural world on canvas.

I started painting almost every day, and over years of practice I began to notice a shift in my style. At first, I relied heavily on references, but as I became more confident, I started bringing in more elements of my imagination and creativity. That’s why I have divided my works into two seasons.

Some people assume I mostly paint Estonian landscapes since that's where I'm from, but other locations have left a deeper impression - that's what my work is often based on.

Many of my paintings capture USA national parks, with grand mountain views and expressive, dramatic clouds. I find that kind of scenery helps me convey the purpose of my art best.

November 2020: "Art Exhibition for Charity" - Tartu Department Store, Tartu, Estonia

June 2021: "The Oldest Pub" - Illegaard, Tartu, Estonia

July 2021: "Local Cafe" - Spargel, Tartu, Estonia

September 2021: "Poska" - Jaan Poska High School, Tartu, Estonia

December 2021: “Parallel-reality” - Elva Culture Centre, Elva, Estonia

February 2022: “Pihlap Paintings x Tartu Department Store” - Tartu Department Store, Tartu, Estonia

June 2022: “Pihlap Paintings x Spargel” - Cafe Spargel, Tartu, Estonia

December 2022: “Serendipity” - Kvartal, Tartu, Estonia

March 2023: Tartu Postimees Noor kunstnik pälvis Ameerika kunstikollektsionääride tähelepanu

November 2024: Victoria Olt Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia