I Don't Have Dreams, I Have Plans

Hungarian-born painter Anikó Boda trained in medicine. She is not chasing algorithms or markets. She paints because, as she says simply, there is always "the burning necessity to create."

Boda's career is unconventional by any measure. She graduated in general medicine from Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical University in 1998, then traded the operating room for the easel. She studied afterward at the Art Students' League and the School of Visual Arts in New York, at the Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts under Orshi Drozdik, and later at the Schatz Studio. What she does not hold is a degree in the arts.

"I have no official degree in the arts because I graduated from medical school," she says. "But I replaced it with enthusiasm." That enthusiasm has since evolved into a body of work that has earned international acclaim, from major exhibitions to prestigious awards.

Transitioning from science to art might seem like a leap, but Boda approaches painting with the same precision she once applied to anatomy. Each composition is a study in patience and focus. Her process is rigorous and unhurried, qualities she attributes to her medical training and her deep respect for precision and endurance.

"One of my most useful assets is resilience," Boda explains. "I'm good at utilizing my energy steadily and keeping going after recharging my batteries. That's the secret of long-term projects and large works. No burnouts, no boredom, just continuous, solid work."

That discipline has paid off. In 2023, Boda received an international exhibition and scholarship prize from the British Visual Artists Association. A year later, she was named Best International Artist by the same organization. Her first monograph was published in August 2026 by the Spanish house The Guide Artists, a rare honor that solidifies her reputation within contemporary realism. She was also featured among the "Greatest Discoveries of the Last Decade" by Berlin's BBA Art Prize, and her Instagram following has passed 100,000.

The Power of Steadfast Creativity

Boda rejects the notion of chasing trends or tailoring her art to market demand. "Talent is overestimated and romanticized in this day and age," she says. "Hard work, discipline, and a healthy lifestyle supporting that work should be more emphasized."

She also believes that art should not be an all-or-nothing pursuit: "The world needs more part-time artists. They would make it a happier place." That pragmatic yet idealistic ethos underscores her success. For Boda, art is not about staying ahead. It is about staying true.

Her preference for large-format works reflects both her temperament and her technical control. "That's where I'm most comfortable," she notes. "These works attract attention and rouse admiration, which is useful at this stage of my career. Not easy to sell yet, though."

Lessons from the Modern Art Market

Despite her growing recognition, Boda remains grounded. Her rising visibility has attracted not only collectors but also opportunists. "My visibility attracts people with scam projects," she admits. "I had to learn to screen business offers carefully. All that glitters is not gold on the art market."

In an industry increasingly mediated by screens, Boda still champions personal connection. "Building strong business relationships and selling yourself as an artist still must include being able to talk about your work intelligently and interestingly in front of live audiences," she says. "Personal connections also build trust and long-term cooperation."

Plans

Beyond the monograph, her calendar included an appearance in Masterpieces of Contemporary Realism, an edition of The Guide Artists' "Artbook of the Year," a solo exhibition with ArtAffair Gallery, appearances at NordArt and Shanghai's Arte Laguna Prize, and a new collaboration with international printmaker Printspace.

Yet despite her growing list of accolades, Boda insists her ultimate goal remains unchanged: to keep painting in her cozy studio, uninterrupted. "That's the most important and happiest aspect of my life," she says. "I don't have dreams, I have plans. Some succeed, some don't — but I learn from all of them. What has to come will come in time."