Sophia Buddenhagen is a Houston-based artist whose work blends figurative and abstract expression. A graduate of the University of Houston with a BFA, she creates vibrant, layered paintings that celebrate movement, color, and story. Influenced by her love of surfing, skateboarding, and the open spirit of the West, her art captures energy, emotion, and the rhythms of life.

Having lived in Northeast and West Africa, Europe, and the West Indies, Sophia’s global experiences have shaped a perspective that goes beyond any one place or culture. Her nomadic background continues to inspire her sense of exploration and connection to the world around her. Each painting becomes a visual journey, an expression of movement, freedom, and belonging wherever she is.

Sophia works in mixed media, combining acrylics, watercolors, ink, spray paint, and oil paint sticks to build texture and depth. She approaches each piece intuitively, allowing it to unfold organically through layers of color and gesture. Her art aims to uplift, spark creativity, and encourage reflection, inviting viewers to find a piece of their own story within the work.

Beyond the studio, Sophia is passionate about using art to empower others. She has worked with at-risk teens, helping them discover confidence and healing through creative expression. Her professional career also includes art licensing, with her work featured by global retailers such as IKEA, I.O. Metro, At Home, and Living Spaces.