Sonia Jeronimo (Sónia J. Modern Art)

The Art of Empowerment: A Journey of Self-Expression, Transformation, and Connection

At the heart of every piece of art lies a profound belief system that shapes the artist’s creative journey. For me, my work is not just an aesthetic pursuit, but a powerful reflection of deeply held principles. These principles are the foundation of my art, guiding my hand as I weave together stories of empowerment, transformation, and connection with the world around us. I invite viewers not only to witness my creations but to engage with the underlying messages they carry—messages of courage, hope, and a deep return to our roots.

Female Empowerment: A Celebration of Strength and Resilience

Art has the unique power to uplift, inspire, and transform. Through my work, I seek to embody the strength and resilience of women—particularly those who dare to lead, challenge societal norms, and transform their lives. Female empowerment lies at the core of my creative expression, with each piece serving as a tribute to the women who have come before us and those who continue to push boundaries.

I believe that empowerment is not just an abstract concept but a force that can be seen, felt, and experienced through art. My work is a visual declaration of courage, an invitation to embrace one’s inner strength, and a reminder that each of us has the power to shape our destiny. Through the fluidity of lines, the boldness of color, and the layers of texture, I aim to communicate the unspoken stories of women’s resilience and their ability to rise above adversity.

Transformation: Embracing Change and Reinvention

Life is an ongoing journey of growth, filled with constant change and evolution. This truth is at the core of my art, as I seek to capture the beauty in life’s transitions. Whether it is a moment of personal reinvention or the quiet passage of time, my work reflects the courage it takes to embrace change and continue moving forward.

Through dynamic compositions and bold textures, I illustrate the transformative power of change. Each piece tells a story of reinvention—of shedding old identities and embracing new possibilities. It is a visual representation of the human capacity for resilience, and an ode to the strength we find in our own ability to evolve. By capturing moments of vulnerability and strength simultaneously, my art highlights the beauty in transformation, reminding us that growth often comes from embracing the unknown.

A Connection to Nature: Finding Peace in Simplicity

Returning to the rural landscapes of Portugal’s Serra da Estrela has deepened my understanding of the importance of reconnecting with nature. The stillness of the mountains, the simplicity of the land, and the raw beauty of the environment have inspired me to incorporate elements of the natural world into my work. My art is a tribute to this connection—blending organic forms, earthy textures, and flowing lines to evoke the harmony and peace that nature offers.

In a world filled with distractions and chaos, returning to nature provides a sense of grounding and tranquility. Through my work, I seek to remind viewers of the restorative power of nature, urging them to reconnect with the earth and rediscover the balance that comes from embracing simplicity. Each brushstroke is a reflection of my personal journey back to these roots, where I find clarity and creative inspiration.

Authenticity: Embracing Imperfection

Authenticity is at the heart of my creative philosophy. I believe that true beauty lies in imperfection—both in life and in art. Each piece I create is a reflection of my most authentic self, shaped by the experiences, emotions, and challenges that have formed me. I celebrate the rawness of life, the unpredictable nature of our journey, and the beauty that emerges when we allow ourselves to be fully ourselves.

In a world that often demands perfection, my art serves as a reminder that there is beauty in the messy, in the unfinished, and in the unexpected. It is through imperfection that we find our most authentic expression, and it is this authenticity that connects us with others. Through each brushstroke, I invite viewers to embrace their own uniqueness and find meaning in their own imperfections.

Creative Freedom: Breaking Boundaries and Celebrating Liberation

Art is my ultimate form of creative freedom—a space where I am free to explore, experiment, and break boundaries. It is about pushing the limits of what is possible, embracing the tension between control and chaos, and celebrating the unpredictability of creation. My work embodies this sense of liberation, inviting others to explore their own creative potential.

Through the interplay of gravity, movement, and intention, I seek to express the freedom that comes from living authentically and boldly. My art is not confined by rules or limitations—it is a reflection of the limitless possibilities that exist when we allow ourselves to fully embrace our creativity. This freedom is not just about artistic expression, but about embracing the individuality and bold self-expression that make us who we are.

Conclusion: Art as a Reflection of Our Shared Journey

At its core, my art is a celebration of the human experience—a reflection of the power we hold to transform, grow, and express ourselves authentically. Whether through the lens of female empowerment, personal transformation, connection to nature, or creative freedom, my work invites viewers to reflect on their own journey and embrace the transformative power of art. In each piece, I strive to convey a message of hope, strength, and the beauty that comes from living authentically.

Enjoy!

Sonia J.

As a self-taught artist, my journey has never followed a traditional path. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t had mentors—mine just happen to speak through color, movement, and emotion rather than directly. The works of Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Paul Klein have each left a profound imprint on my creative process, shaping not just the way I paint, but the way I see the world and express emotion.

Each of these artists cracked open a different door for me—into chaos, into stillness, into nature, and into sound. Through them, I found permission to embrace my own abstract voice, one rooted in emotion, transformation, and feminine strength.

Jackson Pollock: The Freedom of Flow

Pollock gave me permission to be wild. To move. To trust the act of creation as much as the outcome. His technique—painting from above, pouring paint onto the canvas on the floor—mirrors how I work. There’s something primal about it. Grounded. Intuitive. When I paint this way, I’m not separated from the work. I’m in it. Moving around it. Feeling it evolve in real time.

Pollock taught me that chaos is a form of truth. His work doesn’t ask for perfection—it demands presence. And in that raw, physical process, I found freedom. Like him, I lean into spontaneity. I let the materials speak. I follow the movement, the gesture, the energy. Painting becomes a dance—a release.

Mark Rothko: The Language of Emotion

Rothko introduced me to the emotional gravity of color. His work doesn’t shout; it hums. It lingers. It sinks deep into your chest and says, “Feel this.” Rothko showed me that color alone—when layered with intention—can evoke profound emotion. I think of him every time I reach for blues.

My own use of blue, in its many shades and depths, is directly inspired by his ability to communicate without form. The calm, the vastness, the infinite—all of it lives in his canvases. He helped me understand that abstract art doesn’t need to be explained; it needs to be experienced. Like a soul speaking its own language.

Georgia O’Keeffe: The Feminine Force of Nature

Georgia O’Keeffe gave me the courage to lean into softness as strength. Her work is so often misunderstood—reduced to floral femininity—but to me, she was power. She captured the organic world with a clarity and reverence that resonates deeply with how I experience my environment here in Portugal.

She reminded me that nature and the feminine are not separate forces. They are intertwined. In her hands, desert bones became sacred, flowers became monuments. That spirit infuses my own use of raw materials—cotton, linen, earth-toned textures—connecting me to the grounding, sensual power of the natural world. O’Keeffe showed me that elegance and strength are not opposites, but partners.

Paul Klein: The Sound of Emotion in Color

While the others spoke to me through visual form, Paul Klein moved me through sound. His love for the Blues—and the way he translated that passion into color and mood—sparked something visceral in me. Blues, for him, weren’t just colors. They were stories. Longing. Joy. Resistance. Resilience.

That’s exactly how I feel when I work with shades of blue. Klein’s influence reminded me that every hue has its own rhythm, its own vibration. I think about the emotional tone of each piece the same way a musician chooses keys. The layering of blues in my work is a direct tribute to the way Klein felt music—and made you feel it, too. Through him, I began to understand that color is not just visual—it’s deeply emotional. It sings.

These artists—Pollock, Rothko, O’Keeffe, Klein—have shaped me in ways that go far beyond technique. They’ve helped me find my own language. A visual language born of movement, emotion, texture, and sound. A language that honors the messiness of transformation and the elegance of resilience.

My work is not an imitation of theirs—it’s a conversation. One that bridges past and present, tradition and rebellion, structure and fluidity. Through their legacies, I’ve found the confidence to create from a place of deep honesty.

And for that, I am endlessly grateful.

Enjoy!

Sonia J.

I never set out to become an artist. For over three decades, I led in the fast-paced, high-pressure world of tech—first as an entrepreneur, then as a CEO. I was driven, focused, and proud of what I’d built. But somewhere along the way, I felt the pull for something deeper. Not an escape, but a transformation. In early 2024, I stepped away from the corporate world and into something entirely new—a creative life rooted in authenticity, vulnerability, and the courage to express.

Today, I’m a self-taught, emergent artist living in the rural mountains of Portugal. My work is a reflection of my journey—from trailblazer in the boardroom to a liberated creative spirit surrounded by the grounding beauty of nature. My art is abstract, vibrant, and textured. It’s my way of telling stories that can’t be told in spreadsheets or strategy decks—stories of transformation, empowerment, and the quiet power of change.

Painting, for me, is about freedom. There are no rules. No formulas. Just intuition, color, and raw emotion. Much like leadership, it requires courage—the willingness to adapt, to take risks, to embrace what’s uncertain. I paint large-scale pieces, often on the floor, because that perspective shifts everything. It invites me to see, to feel, to connect with my work on a deeper level.

Blue dominates my canvases—always shifting, always revealing something new. To me, blue symbolizes depth, calm, and infinite possibility. It’s the color of inner strength and open skies, of resilience and hope. I use layers of blue to echo the complexities of life, and the beauty that comes when we allow ourselves to evolve.

I work with raw materials—cotton and linen—because they feel real. Honest. They embody the qualities I admire in women: resilience, authenticity, and grace in vulnerability. These fabrics, paired with organic textures and layered color, let me explore life’s transitions in a tactile, grounded way. Nature, especially the rugged beauty of Serra da Estrela where I now live, has become one of my greatest inspirations.

While I’m self-taught, my art is influenced by many who came before me—abstract expressionists like Rothko, Pollock, the organic strength of Georgia O’Keeffe, and the emotional resonance of Paul Klein’s blues. But just as much, my art is shaped by my own journey: as a woman, as a leader, and as someone who’s never been afraid to reinvent.

Art, for me, is a tool for connection. I paint to inspire others—especially women navigating industries where they’re underrepresented, like tech, finance, and leadership. My work is a celebration of their strength, their stories, and the power of embracing one’s full, authentic self. I believe art can move people in ways words never will. It invites emotion, memory, and transformation.

Looking forward, I see my art reaching broader audiences and opening doors for collaboration—with other artists, curators, and organizations focused on social impact. I want my work to live beyond the canvas—to be part of something larger, something that empowers and elevates.

Ultimately, my art is my tribute to the human journey—to resilience, reinvention, and the beauty of becoming. I paint to make people feel, to provoke reflection, to open hearts. Because as I’ve learned, people may not always remember what you said—but they will never forget how you made them feel.

This is why I paint.
Empowerment through art.

Enjoy!

Sonia J.