"In Embrance" Painting

I was born in 1980 in Levice, and even as a child I was fascinated by the paintings of the old masters. I could spend hours flipping through books, looking at those beautiful images over and over again. This early fascination eventually led me to the Department of Fine Arts at FHV UMB in Banská Bystrica, where I began shaping my artistic vision and my own creative path.

During my studies, I focused mainly on installations and had the opportunity to exhibit at the Tatra Gallery in Poprad. At that time, I was searching for a connection between the physical and spiritual worlds — a theme that still resonates with me today. Over time, however, I discovered that classical painting fulfills me the most. Sometimes I let abstract elements slip into my work, adding a new layer and a subtle tension to the composition.

My paintings are dominated by figures and portraits, often of women. For me, a woman symbolizes strength, softness, dreaminess, and provocation. I’m drawn to her expression, gesture, emotion — that quiet something she carries within. The light I use often has a calm, intimate quality, helping to create an atmosphere where the viewer can pause for a moment.

I work primarily with oil paint. It’s a technique that relaxes me, yet constantly challenges me to grow. For years I learned through trial and error, always searching for new ways to deepen my painting. My early works were more colorful, but over time I found my own palette — softer, more muted, closer to what I want to express.