Interview
Eugenia Balan
As a visual artist, Eugenia’s mission is to unveil the beauty that lies within the human experience. Through her art, she strives to capture the essence of emotion and the complexity of the soul. By blending various techniques and media, Eugenia creates artworks that are both visually pleasant and deeply meaningful, inviting the viewer to explore the depths of their own inner beauty.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I have always been creative; I don’t remember myself otherwise. From a young age, I explored various forms of expression—from floral compositions and goblin stitching to singing and designing my own clothes. I used to transform my mother’s dresses into clothes for myself, and she would wonder where her dresses disappeared to. I remember being a teenager and everyone at school asking me where I bought my clothes because they were so original.
Initially, I considered a career in fashion design until I met my father at the age of 15. He was a beloved journalist in my homeland Republic of Moldova and introduced me to the love of writing. I enjoyed creating worlds through words and later worked as an editor for magazines, freelance copywriter at online stores, and even managed my own blog with hundreds of followers. I wrote five books, but never published them. Maybe one day I will. At that time, I believed writing was my calling and what I wanted to do with my life. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of my journey. Over the years, besides writing, I have had numerous hobbies. One of the longest-lasting was paper quilling, which eventually led me to fine art. During the pandemic, at age 29, I taught myself drawing and painting through online courses and pursued further studies in graphic and digital design. I fell in love with fine arts, secretly dreaming of turning it into a profession. The Mastery Program, designed by Milan Art Institute, validated this dream. The instructors claimed that anyone could become a full-time artist if they were willing to put in the work.
In 2023, I dared to enroll in the program, and it was one of the best decisions of my life. After completing the Mastery Program at the Milan Art Institute, I became a professional fine artist. The program not only changed my life but also brought me back to myself and God within me. It rekindled my love for writing, which I had abandoned seven years earlier when I moved to Germany.”
What inspires you?
“Human beings and their inner beauty inspire me immensely. I draw inspiration from nature, music, traveling, everyday life, human emotions, books, life stories, and the beauty in imperfection.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“The human being inspires me the most, particularly their inner beauty, which translates to outer beauty. My curiosity about the connection between our emotions and happiness led me to pursue a master’s in clinical and health psychology in Romania, which transformed my life. Through this program, I learned that happiness is a state that lies within us and can be nurtured through activities that bring joy and beauty to our souls. I strongly believe that beauty is inside each of us. We just need to look deeper to find it and let it unveil through what we love most doing.
I am particularly drawn to portraying women because I believe they are the ultimate creators of life. They are the only ones who can bring life into this world. I once visited an exhibition of Constantin Brancusi, and in one of his flight series of sculptures of women, he said, ‘I don't sculpt birds, but flights.’ It touched my soul at its deepest core because I was at a point in my artistic journey where I couldn't rationalize why I wanted to paint only women. I tried other subjects, but I kept coming back to women. That exhibition changed my life, making me understand that I don’t paint women, but rather their overcoming and the life they embody. I hope that my art prompts people to delve deeper into themselves and listen to the voice inside them that tells them what their life is about - what I believe is God speaking to us. I hope my art inspires people to strive to become better every day. Everyone is a child of God. Each of us is the dearest project of the Creator. We were brought into this world with a purpose, and our life's mission is to find and pursue that purpose.
When you look at my art, I want you to feel worthy of love, acceptance, and adoration. God adores you. God adores me. We have a purpose. Art is a way to find that purpose. Art is powerful and healing because nothing else can take us so deep into our souls.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work is greatly influenced by the Impressionism movement. I also love realism, so after managing to find my style and voice as an artist, I concluded that my style is an expression of ‘impressionism realism.’ Some words to describe my work are inner beauty, connection, depth, and commitment. This is what my art expresses: looking for inner beauty, connecting to it, digging deeper into it, and committing to it. Commit to what you have found deep inside and help it grow while spreading it into the world. The world needs our beauty; don't keep it to yourself. Serve the world by spreading your beauty!”
Which artists influence you most?
“Impressionist and post-impressionist artists have had a significant influence on me, particularly Van Gogh. I feel a strong personal connection to him. My first discovery of Impressionism led to an instantaneous bond with Van Gogh. I studied everything I could about him, his influences, and their separate works. I was obsessed with him, so once, visiting Paris, I visited also Van Gogh’s last place of residence in Auvers-sur-Oise. Standing by his and his brother’s tomb, I realized that Van Gogh represented more than just a visionary to me; he symbolized brotherhood, much like my bond with my brother. Van Gogh believed that one day his work would be recognized, and he was right.
After this realization, I started exploring other artists associated with Impressionism and beyond, like Claude Monet, Salvador Dalí, Frida Kahlo, Leonardo da Vinci, and less-known artists like Seraphine de Senlis. I am an eternal student of art history. Among contemporary artists, I find inspiration from the Milan family, Diane Garces de Marcilla, Daniel Freakier, Alpay Efe, Katrina Koltes, Sawyer Guthrie, Eva Bratopoulou, and Veronica Caterisano.”
“The world needs our beauty; don't keep it to yourself. Serve the world by spreading your beauty!”
What is your creative process like?
“I am a mixed media fan and love combining various materials in my work, usually starting with a drawing or collages for abstract pieces using inks and water-soluble materials. Then, I move to mark-making with solid materials, spray paint, and acrylic colors, but I always finish with oil colors, my most cherished medium. The initial stages allow me to be loose and not worry about the outcome; I immerse myself in the process. As I work towards refinement, I become more aware of the painting’s final outcome without holding complete control. Often, the painting reveals itself to me, leading to an outcome that sometimes differs greatly from my initial inspiration.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“My mission is to spread my inner beauty to the world and help others do the same. I believe the artist’s role is to bring hope, beauty and love into the world. Artists are the creators of the future, and what we put into the world reflects the world we live in and will live in. The responsibility of an artist is immense; every piece we create is a small rock in the foundation of the future. Art has the power to bring the future near, as Kandinsky said and we, artists, are its representatives. I work every day to serve the world better with my art. I am preparing a book and a program to help people commit to a creative life. I know my life has a purpose, just as everyone’s life on this earth does.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I have showcased my work in group exhibitions in Germany until now, receiving critical acclaim for my unique style, excellent use of colors, and the ability to convey emotions through my art. ‘The first thing that captivates me about Eugenia Balan's artwork is the electrifying color! While her subjects wrap us in the contemplation of beauty, the colors she paints in stir us into a state of anticipation’ says Elli Milan (Artist and founder of the Milan Art institute).”
Website: eugeniabalan.com
Instagram: @eugeniabalanart
