In one of the coolest streets in Lisbon, Rua da Boavista, there’s Franka Struys‘ studio, visual artist from Dutch origin.
Lisbon & atelier Dutch visual artist Franka Struys, November 2025
Work in progress! YouTube It was a wonderful experience to watch Franka being at work 🙂
Visual artist Franka Struys was born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Since 2000 Franka lives in Colares, close to the Portuguese Atlantic coast.
Franka Struys, Nov. 2025: ‘OPEN STUDIO’, in Lisbon YouTube
In 1990, Franka graduated in economics and began a diplomatic career until she moved to Portugal. In 2009, she decided to follow her passion and studied painting at Ar.Co in Lisbon.
Wonderful Portuguese coast near Colares & dog Nuru
Raw, quiet Portuguese Atlantic coast
At the foot of the Sintra mountains, very close to the sea, the town of Colares is absolutely delightful and has long been a very popular summer resort. More: Visit Portugal
Wonderful Portuguese coast near Colares & dogs Bana & Nuru
Franka: “Colares is a place where I feel an endless sense of wonder, joy, connection, passion and respect for nature“.
Visual artist Franka Struys & painting ‘MAMAN’
Franka: ‘MAMAN’ is a part of the ‘MOTHER EARTH‘ series, about the strength of creation and the fragility of life’.
Since 2013, Franka’s work has been shown at a variety of galleries and exhibition spaces in Portugal and The Netherlands.
Visual artist Franka Struys, Nov. 2025: ‘OPEN STUDIO’, in Lisbon
Deep connection with nature
Franka: “For many years now, the raw and quiet Portuguese coast of Colares has inspired me and reconnected me with nature”.
“That connection shows up in my paintings. Each piece carries something of this place”.
Stones from Portuguese coast near Colares
Franka: “During the COVID pandemic , I began collecting earth pigments from the local beach where I live , including them into my painting technique to create more texture and to embed a sence of place and time into my work”.
This resulted in the series “Connectedness”
New painting Franka Struys & Exposition Lisbon december 2025
“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”
December 4, 2025: opening “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”, a group exhibition of 19 female artists working in Lisbon.
December 4, 2025: opening exposition “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”
Exhibition women artists December ’25/January 26 in Lisbon
Group exhibition bringing together internationally recognised women artists.
Origanised by “THE CURATED Lisbon” , an online platform dedicated to Lisbon’s contemporary art and design scene. More information : Instagram
Visual artist Franka Struys in her studio in Lisbon
Exhibition ‘RESILIENT TRANSITIONS’ : from May 20 – June 20, 2026
Site-specific exhibition by artists Franka Struys and Vania R. Gonçalves.
Curation by Federica Elena, which creates an ambient environment within the interior and the environment that continues with material and spirit of the times.
Artists Vânia R. Gonçalves & Franka Struys, opening new exposition, May 2026 YOUTUBE: Opening day May 20, 2026
Exhibition RESILIENT TRANSITIONS : from May 20 – June 20, 2026
Tuesday to Friday, 2 PM – 7 PM,
Saturday, 3 PM – 8 PM
Franka Struys, opening new exposition, May 20, 2026
Want to learn more or visit Franka’s studio?
Studio: Rua da Boavista 84, Lisbon
(BTW: this street still represents LIsbon’s elegant architecural Pombaline (Marquês de Pombal ) style, developed after the 1755 earthquake).
Thank you so much Julie! It was a great easure working with you.
Thank you Franka! 🙂 Your paintings are wonderful !!