Butterfly “Nostalgia for freedom” - EPHEMERA series Artwork

Born in the fairytale city of Brașov, I grew up in a large family home surrounded by relatives and animals. My grandfather influenced me deeply—through games, sports, storytelling and his love of painting, which sparked my own creative path. I hold a degree in Travel and Tourism and have always explored art in many forms, from photography, coins collecting and fashion to hand-painting objects. I began painting intensively in 2017, and in 2018 I started a small business hand-painting vintage bags—an experience that revealed painting as my true calling. I love texture and work a lot with palette knife, impasto and sgraffito techniques. My paintings often include mixed media and found objects— vintage things, beautiful textiles, old and familiar lace or embroidery, jewelry, objects from my childhood, pieces from my coin collection —and I’ve created a portrait series using traditional Romanian embroideries hand-sewn by my grandmother. I harmoniously combine my two great passions—tourism and painting—and perhaps it’s no coincidence that my name is Atena: a destination, and the patron goddess of the arts. When I paint I am complete, understood with no need for words, I feel connection with Divinity, awareness of myself and space, freedom and liberation from limitations. I want to fill the hearts of those who look at my paintings with the same authentic feeling that I have when I create them: inner peace!