Inga Poslitur 

Inga Poslitur is a Russian-born representational artist. She brings a high-level of technical skills and aesthetic sensibilities honed from years working as an artist, illustrator, and muralist to both her collections of vivid landscapes and narrative-centric fantastical paintings. She is best known for her unconventional use of color and powerful composition, that evokes surprise and delight from viewers.​

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When artist Inga Poslitur set up her easel outside the Sierra Nevada Field Campus one summer morning, she had no idea the resulting painting would earn top honors at Art 2025 Tehachapi, Tehachapi Arts Commission Annual Art Exhibition & Sale (ArtsTehachapi.org). The inspiration came naturally — her daughter had received a late-season bouquet of peonies as a gift, and the cool morning light falling across the blooms was simply too beautiful to ignore.

 

From Small Study to Large Statement

 

What began as an 11”×14” oil study evolved into something far more ambitious. After returning home, Poslitur felt compelled to revisit the subject on a 30”×30” canvas — a deliberate choice that shifted the format from rectangular to square, giving the flowers what she describes as “more breathing room in the composition.”

 

Her goal was bold: she wanted the viewer to feel the powerful presence of the peonies, almost as actors on a stage. Achieving that required careful problem-solving. An early version of the background bushes — too light and too green — competed with the flowers and flattened the depth. Poslitur stepped back, worked through the problem with pencil and paper, then repainted the bushes darker and more muted. The flowers didn’t fully come alive, she notes, until she began mixing generous amounts of green into the pink petals themselves.

 

The painting holds personal significance beyond its technical achievements. Her daughter, who arranged the bouquet, is a constant source of inspiration. “Every time she does it, I just want to paint it,” Poslitur says. In a sense, the painting became a quiet tribute to their relationship.

 

A New Connection to Tehachapi

 

Driving through the region for the first time, Poslitur was struck by the landscape — the lyrical movement of the hills, scattered trees, and an openness free from visual clutter. She found it reminiscent of the work of Maynard Dixon and Georgia O’Keeffe: quiet strength and simplicity. She hasn’t yet had the chance to paint on location here, but she’s already planning a return trip with her easel and brushes, particularly drawn to the ranches and the animals that animate the land.

 

“The Tehachapi Art Exhibition is a powerful example of how a vibrant local arts community can enrich the lives of those who live there,” she says. She extends special thanks to Dwight and Laura Dreyer and everyone involved in making the show possible.

 

What’s Next

 

Poslitur is currently working on several new pieces, including a nostalgic still life featuring vintage dolls, a copper pot, quince, and chamisa; a blooming magnolia painted on location in San Francisco; and a portrait of her daughter. She is also developing paintings specifically with the 2026 Tehachapi exhibition in mind. This November, she will have a solo exhibition at A Sense of Place gallery in Fresno.

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Inga Poslitur is a painter based in San Francisco. Visit her at IngaPoslitur.com or connect with her on Instagram @ingaposlitur. She is also represented at Holton gallery in Berkeley and A Sense of Place in Fresno.

 

Advice for Emerging Artists

 

When asked what she would tell artists just starting out, Poslitur’s advice is direct and hard-won:

 

Invest seriously in learning foundational skills — get good first. Trust yourself and follow your own path. Ask for feedback, and follow through on it. Understand that an art career is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay a student, even after you’ve gotten good. Stay curious. Notice something beautiful every day. Surround yourself with people who support you — and give back to your community.