Catarina Olefir is a contemporary visual artist working with watercolour.

A traveller by nature and a person who never gives up, Catarina has lived in many countries, including Russia, Ukraine, France, Italy, and the Czech Republic. Trained and certified as a medical doctor, she worked in her field in the Czech Republic before feeling a strong call for more sun and a Mediterranean way of life. After living in Paris and near Venice, she and her husband chose to settle in the Algarve. By then, they had two sons, and their daughter was born in Portugal.

At this point in her life, Catarina felt the need to prioritise family. Working long hospital shifts made it difficult for her to be fully present with her children. What truly sustained her during this time was painting. After long days at the hospital, she would paint purely for herself—as a form of self-care, a way to release stress and reconnect inwardly.

A dialogue of the inner state

“Painting is a contemplative act – a dialogue between the inner state and the surrounding environment.”

In Catarina’s practice, silence is not emptiness, but a space of clarity, sensitivity, and subtle intensity.

“My practice explores inner silence, presence, and subtle perception through fluid, contemplative painting.”

After moving to the Algarve and being surrounded by its striking landscapes, Catarina felt a natural shift: “Why not make painting my profession?” Being fluent in several international languages, Catarina is a very determined person who believes in her dreams and always follows her intuition. She started slowly, and soon she had clients for her painting sessions. She noticed that people are not really interested in having sessions in a studio; they prefer to paint on the beach or at other interesting locations in the Algarve.

Author: ArtDoSol;

For Catarina, painting is a form of meditation, and this philosophy lies at the heart of ArtDoSol. Workshops are designed to be calming and accessible, helping participants reconnect with their inner artist.

“It’s not a traditional art class. I want people to enjoy the process, not just the final result.”

Positivity over perfection

What matters most to her is that participants leave with positive feelings rather than frustration over perfect lines. Catarina offers gentle guidance throughout, creating a supportive and encouraging atmosphere. The usual theme is the Algarve landscape, and she promises that participants can learn the basics of watercolour painting in a very short time.

Depending on weather conditions, ArtDoSol workshops are held every Saturday at locations including Praia da Rocha, Praia do Vau, and Ferragudo. In case of rain, sessions are held indoors at selected locations in Alvor and Lagoa.

Catarina regularly attends international exhibitions, and her works are held in private collections worldwide, from New Zealand to the United States. Through her international network, she collaborates with artists from different countries and co-organises workshops in the Algarve. The next workshop will take place in April, in collaboration with Michael Solovyev.

Previously, Catarina also organised a highly successful art retreat on the island of Madeira, and she plans to do more in the future.

To learn more about ArtDoSol, visit https://www.artdosol.com/