Anastasia Knish (b. 1980, Riga, Latvia) is a self-taught visual artist whose deep connection to art began in childhood. From an early age, she was constantly immersed in creative projects—painting, drawing, building, and sewing. Her first experience with watercolor came around the age of seven, when her father introduced her to watercolor by recreating a landscape from a book. The two resulting paintings—his precise and miniature, hers bold and expressive—still hang side by side in her home studio, a lasting symbol of encouragement and shared passion. Influenced by the works of Michelangelo, Viktor Vasnetsov, Ilya Repin, and Edward Hopper, Anastasia found early inspiration in classical and realist traditions. At thirteen, she took preparatory courses with the intention of entering the Art Academy of Latvia, but circumstances led her down an independent artistic path instead. Despite not holding a formal degree in art, she is a lifelong learner—constantly refining her skills through workshops, studio classes, art books, and digital resources. To her, being an artist is to embrace perpetual growth: always a “work in progress.” For over two decades, Anastasia focused on commissioned watercolor portraits of homes, building a substantial portfolio of personalized, heartfelt work. In 2020, a pivotal apprenticeship with a local artist reignited her creative freedom. Encouraged to move beyond commissions, she began exploring landscapes—her first artistic love—through new mediums, including oil and acrylic. In 2022, Anastasia joined the North Shore Art League, a century-old institution in Winnetka, IL dedicated to supporting artists. This marked a turning point where she began creating work that spoke directly to her own experiences and emotional landscape. While she gravitates toward nature and scenery, she remains open to all subjects that resonate deeply. For Anastasia, painting is a meditative practice—an invitation to slow down and be fully present. Through her art, she hopes to share the same joy, stillness, and wonder that she experiences in the act of creation.