I invite you to explore the transformative experience of creating art and the self-knowledge it can unlock. Over the past ten years, I have developed a unique, body-focused art therapy method, deeply inspired by my own creative journey. In this collection, I’ve selected works that played a pivotal role in shaping this approach.
Each portrait and painting is accompanied by descriptions of my personal experiences, offering insight into the profound healing power of art on both physical and mental well-being. Whether you are new to this perspective or already curious about the connection between art and self-discovery, I hope my gallery resonates with you.
Feel free to take a virtual tour and immerse yourself in this world of art and healing.
This painting, inspired by freedom and flow, was created as a heartfelt gift for Dr. Csaba Buda, the talented web designer of my website. Our collaboration on the site became an unexpected journey of self-discovery for me.
I am deeply grateful for the masterpiece we brought to life together—a true miracle of creativity. Every corner of the website brims with color, life, and hope, reflecting the vibrancy of my own life. It feels alive, pulsing with energy, just like my reality. I absolutely love it.
This painting reflects my personal connection to the Greek Orthodox Church and my deep ties to my South Slavic heritage through my father. His ancestors hail from Vranje, in southern Serbia, where Orthodox traditions run strong. My father himself was baptized in a Greek Orthodox church, honoring this rich cultural heritage.
To this day, I cherish the vibrant culture he passed down to me—the music, dances, cuisine, and the enchanting essence of the Balkans, spanning Yugoslavia, Serbia, and Montenegro. These traditions are a source of inspiration and joy, forever woven into my identity.
The character who inspired this portrait embodies, for me, the essence of a man who transcends himself—a mature, integrated individual who embraces his emotions, befriends his inner depths, and acknowledges his pains and struggles without denial.
The most profound and exhilarating aspect of creating this piece was working with the element of water. The droplets streaming down the man’s face seemed to wash over me as well, symbolizing a cathartic process. As I drew, I recognized a part of myself that bravely faces difficult emotions, grants them permission to flow, immerses in their depths, and emerges renewed, with strength regained.
This piece captures the profound bond between mother and child, distilled into a simple yet deeply expressive and symbolic moment of connection. Creating it was also a journey of self-discovery, as I worked through my relationship with my inner child.
The face of the small child in the portrait embodies the lasting imprints on my childhood psyche—shaped by the fear and trauma of war and the bombing of my homeland at a young age. These emotions, too complex for words, find expression here.
The mother’s face, devoted to her child, with their eyes merging into one another, symbolizes for me a sense of holding, connectedness, and security—a sanctuary of love amidst life’s uncertainties.
The title and energy of this portrait reflect themes that were deeply relevant in my life at the time—awakening my inner power, embracing radical honesty, and expressing intense emotions. The image weaves together qualities of feminine strength: self-assertive and confident, yet vulnerable and deeply sensitive.
In my ongoing self-inquiry, the exploration of my strength and the integration of my rage remain pivotal aspects of my personal work. This drawing became a mirror for these processes, allowing me to view myself from fresh perspectives—as both a self-aware individual and as someone connected to others navigating similar emotional landscapes. Through art, I continue to seek understanding, healing, and connection with myself and those around me.
The act of painting this piece was profoundly energizing, filled with a sense of freedom, vitality, peace, and tranquillity. The swaying female figure at the heart of the composition symbolizes the inherent beauty and natural rhythm of life—the ebb and flow, the „ups and downs” that define our existence and mirror the cycles of nature.
For me, the painting carries an essential message: the swings of life can be soothed and steadied. True freedom lies in recognizing that we can step out of those swings when they bring more helplessness than liberation. It’s a reminder that even amidst life’s oscillations, we have the power to reclaim our balance and choose our path.
I spent nearly six months bringing this piece to life, a process that unfolded alongside a significant decision—one that has profoundly shaped my life and future. The length of time reflects the weight of this transformation.
Interestingly, the most intricate and time-consuming aspect of the painting was crafting the seating and the legs supporting the woman. This detail became symbolic for me; I could only complete the work once I had found peace of mind in my decision and the first sparks of stability began to grow from a place of uncertainty.
The “woman within me” represents a source of self-created safety and strength, a nurturing presence capable of awakening this creative power in others. She embodies conscious care, flowing with life while honoring her boundaries—a balance of grace and self-awareness.
As both an artist and an observer, I am deeply drawn to the representation of natural elements hidden within the human body. For me, humanity is not merely a part of nature; rather, nature resides within us, complete with its intricate laws and rhythms.
This wisdom is also reflected in the female figure displayed on the screen at the 5th Hungarian Clip Show, where it was shown during the screening of the music videos for the songs from the Vihar Után EP, Naturally. The figure, like the music, captures the deep connection between humanity and nature, reinforcing the themes of internal wisdom and elemental forces.
Though it may sound cliché, I firmly believe that „the eye is the mirror of the soul” is an evergreen truth. This work was originally created at the request of Tamás Sándorfi, the founder of the KaFiBi SzomatoDráma Center, and it now graces the Center’s website.
The gaze in this piece is titled Our Spiritual Eyes because it radiates significance, strength, and empathy. Just as self-expression and speech have an artistic dimension, so too does attention. I believe that when we truly pay attention to someone, we have the power to transform their life—to offer them something profoundly healing, perhaps even life-saving.
Creating with a Pitt pastel pencil is one of the most thrilling artistic processes for me. My favorite part is the way shapes emerge on a dark background. It feels deeply symbolic—like the low points I encounter in my own self-discovery, and the rebirth that follows. Just as white and pastel hues reveal themselves against the black cardboard, I’ve learned that even in my darkest moments, there is always a ray of light within reach.
The piece titled Prayer reflects my connection with faith and the powerful energy of the Universe—the divine presence within us all. Through this connection, even the most insurmountable challenges can be faced and overcome. It’s a reminder that with grace and strength, we can rise from the depths.
In body symbolism, hair is often linked to dormant power, life energy, and the instincts within us. I created this piece during an art education class, focusing specifically on the theme of hair. In doing so, I found it to be a powerful opportunity to reflect on my own relationship with the inner strength and instincts that reside within me. To what extent do I acknowledge and give space to them?
As an Interested Observer, these same questions may invite you to explore your own relationship with your inner power and instincts. How do you connect with and honor these aspects of yourself?
The portrait of the Rising Moon symbolizes for me the cycles of femininity—the recurring patterns that define womanhood and the psycho-physical transformations that accompany them. Creating this piece was a meaningful journey, one that took me deep into my own exploration of femininity and the themes surrounding it.
The portrait conveys both mystery and naturalness, qualities that I see as central to my own experience of femininity. It captures the essence of change and growth, reflecting the fluid and dynamic nature of what it means to be a woman. This work remains a cherished reminder of my personal connection to the ever-evolving journey of self-discovery.
I am fascinated by how images with beautiful tones can be brought to life not only through photography, with various „effects,” but also through pastel techniques. While the palette available to us with pastels is more limited, this simplicity seems to offer greater freedom in the creative process.
In this piece, the charm and uniqueness of the Visegrád Citadel are brought to life in a way that feels even more expressive within the atmosphere I’ve created—one that evokes the timeless quality of old photographs. The soft, muted tones capture the essence of the Citadel’s beauty, while also inviting a sense of nostalgia and quiet reflection.
For me, the magic of watercolor lies in the moment when a drop of paint finds its way onto the canvas. In this process, it’s thrilling to observe how much freedom we allow the shades to flow with the help of water—that is, how much we let the creation reveal itself. This freedom mirrors the heartspace, the fluidity of energies both within and around us, the burst of vitality, the inner axis, and the release of emotions, culminating in the joy of dissolution.
What makes this work particularly special is that I hardly used a brush at all during its creation. Instead, I embraced the flow and splattering techniques, letting the paint move organically, creating a dynamic, unrestrained expression of life and emotion.
I see my acrylic piece, The Bridge of Love, created with a painting knife, as a personal statement of faith—something I feel is deeply important both in my artistic practice and in my life. The bridge, as a symbol of connection, also serves as a channel through which love can flow in the painting. How we allow love to move through this channel is entirely up to us.
It may not always be easy, as there are times when something inside us feels like it blocks the flow—whether it’s the ability to give or receive love. On the bridge of love, however, there is space for these interruptions, as well as the potential for healing, if we are brave enough to step onto it. It is a place where we can confront our barriers and, in doing so, open ourselves to deeper connection and transformation.
One of my great favorites is a special technique called newsprint, developed by the artist Loui Jover, who was born in the former Yugoslavia and moved to Australia as a young man, where he has lived ever since.
Butterflies Are Free was created during the COVID-19 pandemic for the Art Competition of the Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary, which I was honored to win. The title reflects my state of mind and coping mechanisms during that time. Despite the isolation and the virtual nature of human connection, I was determined to live my inner freedom as fully as possible. Reading, drawing, music, exercise, and yoga were my greatest sources of support.
A particular challenge I faced at the time was preparing for my final psychology exams, which made the butterfly—a symbol of psychology and the soul—a central motif in this piece. It became a symbol of inner freedom and a source of strength. The female character depicted in the work is one in whom I recognize elements of myself, embodying both the struggles and the liberation I experienced during that period.
The key concept behind the creation of this work was relationship. It is an honor that the portrait also serves as a decorative element on the website of the KaFiBi SzomatoDráma Központ. In the embrace depicted, I wanted to convey the intimate connection we can form with our own inner child—the expression of unconditional acceptance and love for the parts of ourselves that need healing.
Embracing the vulnerable, wounded inner child opens new doors, both within ourselves and in our relationships with others. While creating this piece, I reflected on which part of me might most need this holding and a heartfelt embrace. The thought experiment itself was transformative, bringing me closer to my inner child. The process of creating this work deepened that connection even further, allowing me to experience a more profound sense of self-compassion and healing.
This portrait weaves together the recurring themes in my artwork: femininity, physical and mental healing, and the natural elements that are so integral to my expression. The butterfly resting in the woman’s hair symbolizes metamorphosis, transformation, and the unfolding process of change. The posture of the female figure reflects the transitions I experience within myself during times of significant decisions and shifts.
It embodies a feeling of positive expectation, hope, and the excitement that comes with it, alongside the doubts that inevitably arise. When the desired state or goal has already been conceived in my mind, there is a strong possibility of its realization, yet my body must still align with my soul. The decision is maturing within me, and I’m searching for the feeling that will allow me to move toward the vision I’ve created.
There is something uplifting and profound about this transitional phase—perhaps because it is in these moments of waiting, for ourselves or others, that love can truly blossom. It is a gift to have the space to wait for the right moment, and even more so when we are given this time by another. This work celebrates the grace in the pause and the beauty of self-discovery during transitions.
This portrait is inspired by the inner experience of maturing into a woman and the cyclical nature of that process. In the drawing, the butterfly perched at the tip of the woman’s nose, gazing at her, symbolizes the act of unfolding, revealing oneself, and meeting one’s true essence. More specifically, it represents the way a woman awakens to herself—discovering her inner colors, her uniqueness, and her authenticity.
The act of looking at one another in the portrait captures the gift of connection: in the discovery of my own femininity, the presence of a supportive relationship is crucial. Many reflections guide us to experience our femininity—not as a mere belief or concept, but as something we live, feel, and sense as it unfolds within us. Like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, the journey of embracing womanhood is both a process of knowledge and of feeling, of attuning to where the potential within us leads.
Femininity, in all its beauty, can also be a painful experience. It may even echo the struggles and stories of our ancestors. My own life has been shaped by many such experiences. Unraveling them, patiently and step by step, and rewriting a new story for myself is both a challenging and beautiful task. Yet, with each step, a new woman unfolds—one who is more self-identified, more liberated than before.
Each journey of the ButterflyWoman is a pathway to the light, an open invitation to embrace ourselves more fully.
I responded to a very special request on Pentecost of 2020, when I created this artwork by painting a 70 cm high sign on three sides of the sales area, which stretches approximately 27 meters. For three days, I painted almost non-stop, working in the air—a real challenge, but the experience of flow was unforgettable and incomparable. I loved and enjoyed every moment of this project.
This beautiful hand-painted sign is an unique feature of Újpest Market, located within the Újpest Event Space – a modern environment where tradition and quality coexist harmoniously.
I would like to thank Dr. Csaba Buda for designing the layout of my English site and Viola Bolbás for her language proofreading.
For my journey in English so far, I would like to thank Somodiné Nagy Ilona for her background support.
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Adatkezelési tájékoztató / Privacy Notice
Az Adatkezelési tájékoztató kidolgozásáért, szakmai megfeleltetéséért köszönet illeti Dr. Ivanics Krisztina ügyvédet (Ivanics Ügyvédi Iroda).
A honlap készítője: Dr. Buda Csaba, a logó tervezője: Dr. Buda László, fotók: Nemes Szabina