Mónica Vitorino is a Portuguese-British artist based in London. Her vibrant watercolours blend classical influences with contemporary themes. Drawing on over 20 years of experience as an architect, her work reflects a meticulous attention to detail, structure and composition, yet it is never rigid. Instead, her paintings are full of energy, colour and character.

Fashion photography serves as a key source of inspiration. Mónica transforms fleeting images into enduring artworks. Her figures, always women, radiate strength and presence, empowered by their gaze, posture or spatial positioning. They are more than models, they embody self-assurance and independence. These are not muses, they are protagonists.

Her Portuguese heritage adds another vital dimension. Traditional azulejos (glazed tiles) inform her use of geometry, repetition and pattern. These motifs interact with contemporary figures, creating a dynamic visual dialogue between past and present.

Her bold use of colour adds clarity and visual impact to each piece. In particular, her thoughtful use of complementary colour contrasts heightens the strength and vibrancy of her compositions. 

Influenced by artists like Botticelli, Mónica combines the delicacy of classical painting with a bold, modern sensibility. Her watercolours are unapologetically vivid, precise and expressive, works that only she could create.

In 2024, she received the Cass Art Prize at the 212th Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours Exhibition, recognising her innovative use of colour.