Alfia Ponomarenko, a Russian painter, was born in 1965 in the town of Engels of the Saratov region. Since early childhood admired the surrounding nature: flowers, snowflakes, clouds, water. Her grandmother noticed this passion and at the age of 5 took the girl to the children's art studio. Being a schoolgirl Alfia graduated from Arts school with brilliant results. Then were the years of studies at the professional Arts College named after the Russian painter Bogolubov. At Arts College she revealed great skill in portrait painting. She portrayed people with enormous attention to detail and subtly caught the model's character. With particular sympathy she painted portraits of children, and substantial place in her activity belongs to flowers, a lot of flowers. She also worked much at landscape painting en plein air.

After graduating from Arts College Alfia was employed as a portrait painter at Arts workshops at the All-Russian Union of Russian Painters. At the age of 20 she was intrusted to portray the members of the Political Bureau with M.Gorbatchev at the head. These portraits often sized 2x3 metres.

Alfia Ponomarenko was represented regularly in the municipal, regional and All-Russian exhibitions in the towns of Saratov, Samara, Kazan, Moscow, Nizhni Novgorod, St.Petersburg, etc.

She started her personal exhibitions in the native town of Engels in 1994, 1998, 2000. In 2001 in Moscow she suggested to the viewer the series of paintings under the title "Summer". Then came the series "Russian Winter" (Nice, France, 2002), "Walking towards the light" (Moscow, 2004), "Mirror of the Russian soul" (Monaco, Monte-Carlo, 2006), "Women and Flowers" (Monaco, Monte-Carlo, 2009).

In March 21, 2006 Alfia Ponomarenko was awarded the title Professor and Lomonosov gold medal for sizable contribution in the promotion of native culture and art by the National Committee of Public Awards of the Russian Federation.

A sizable part of her creative activity is given to the commissioned portraits of the Government members and private persons.

The portraits by Alfia's brush were presented to the world famous leaders:

1. The portraits of the members of the Political Bureau of the USSR and the portrait of Gorbatchev M. (1985-1988).
2. Katalicoz of all Armenians Vazgen I (1994).
3. Chairman of the Council of Ministers - Stolipin P.A. (1998).
4. Prime Minister of Israel Ahud Barack (1999).
5. Governor of the Saratov region Ayatskov D.F. (2000).
6. Mayor of Saratov Aksenenko Y.M. (2000).
7. Tsar of All-Russia Peter I (2001).
8. President of Russia Putin V.V. (2001).
9. Archimandrid of Saratov and Volsk Alexander (2002).
10. Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Aleksi II (2004).
11. His Highness Prince Rainier III (2004).
12. Dalai-Lama XIV (2005).
13. Moscow Mayor Luzhkov Y.M. (2005).
14. Celebrated hockey player Tretiak V.A. (2005).
15. His Highness Prince Albert II (2006).
16. Count Georges Maurice de L'Arbre (2007).
17. Countess Georges Maurice de L'Arbre, born Jeanne Hortense Carton de Ponay (2007).
18. Count Maurice de L'Arbre, Chevalier des Palmes Academique, Chevalier de L'Ordre Constantinien de Saint-Georges (2007).
19. Governor of the Saratov region Ipatov P. (2009).
20. President of Russia Medvedev D.A. (2009).
21. Honorary Consul of Russia in the Principality of Monaco Claude Pallanca.

The Government commissioned Alfia the portraits of the Presidents of Azerbaijan, Bashkortostan, Prime-Minister of Israel A.Barack. In 2001 President Putin V.V. on the occasion of his birthday was presented with his portrait by Alfia's brush. Subsequent portraits included Governors and their families and the portrait of Dalai-Lama, presented to him by President of Kalmikia K.Ilumjinov. The Patriarch of Moscow and All-Russia Aleksi II on the occasion of his inthronization received his portrait as a gift from Ayatskov D.F., Governor of the Saratov region. Aleksi II highly praised Alfia's work and gave her his Patriarch blessing. The portrait of Moscow Mayor was commissioned by Alpatov Y.M. and presented to him on his birthday. A world famous hockey player Tretiak V. was also portrayed.

His Highness Prince Rainier III was presented with his portrait in 2004. This portrait is kept in his family castle in Monaco.

From October, 31 to November 19, 2006 Alfia Ponomarenko's personal exhibition took place in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. Much attention was attached to this event. A lot of quests were invited: the Government of Monaco, titled persons, residents of Monaco, France, Germany, Italy, England, Russia, etc. All the quests enjoyed the friendly atmosphere of the exhibition.

The Honorary Consul of Russia Claude Pallanca was presented with books about the region and crystal sterling - the symbol of Saratov. The public were impressed with the portraits of His Highness Prince Albert II and President of Russia V.Putin.

The portrait of His Highness was purchased and presented to him on the National holiday of Monaco. Today this portrait is a family property.

From November, 23 to December, 13 in the gallery "La Maison de L'Amerique Latine de Monaco" (Monaco, Monte-Carlo) Alfia presented to the public a series of pictures under the title "Women and Flowers".

The next exhibition will be held in November of 2010 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco.