Artists of the Week: Nina Litvin, Krisztina Lőrincz & Monacuba

This week at People & Paintings Gallery we are pleased to feature three artists whose practices reveal the many ways contemporary painting can capture emotion, memory, and personal experience. Through distinctive visual languages, Krisztina Lőrincz, Nina Litvin, and Monacuba invite viewers into worlds shaped by introspection, storytelling, and a deep sensitivity to the human condition.

Krisztina Lőrincz

Hungarian artist Krisztina Lőrincz creates paintings that balance technical refinement with emotional depth. Drawing inspiration from both the human figure and the quiet poetry of everyday objects, her work explores themes of identity, memory, and personal connection. Women frequently appear as central subjects in her compositions, portrayed with tenderness and psychological nuance. Equally compelling are her still lifes, particularly those featuring heirloom objects, where light, shadow, texture, and atmosphere become vehicles for storytelling. Influenced by her background in music, Lőrincz approaches painting with a strong sense of rhythm and harmony, using rich colors and carefully orchestrated compositions to evoke feelings that transcend words.

Artist Profile: https://peopleandpaintings.com/krisztina_lorincz

Nina Litvin

Nina Litvin’s paintings are distinguished by their expressive energy, vibrant color palettes, and profound emotional resonance. Originally trained at the Lviv Academy of Arts and now based in Israel, Litvin often explores themes of femininity, music, inner strength, and human connection. Her figurative works convey moments of contemplation and vulnerability, while her celebrated jazz-inspired series translates sound into visual rhythm through dynamic brushwork and luminous contrasts. Whether depicting musicians immersed in performance or intimate psychological portraits, Litvin's art captures the invisible currents of emotion that shape our experiences, inviting viewers to engage with both the visible and the deeply felt.

Artist Profile: https://peopleandpaintings.com/nina_litvin

Monacuba

Working under the name Monacuba, Elena Chulkova has developed a highly individual artistic voice shaped by a lifelong immersion in culture, art, and intellectual inquiry. Her paintings reflect an independent perspective on contemporary life, blending personal symbolism with philosophical reflection. Rather than focusing on direct representation, Monacuba is interested in revealing the aesthetic and spiritual dimensions hidden within everyday existence. Her works often invite contemplation, encouraging viewers to look beyond surface appearances and engage with deeper questions about perception, memory, and meaning. The result is a body of work that feels both introspective and universal, grounded in a recognizable style that remains distinctly her own.

Artist Profile: https://peopleandpaintings.com/monacuba

Through their unique artistic approaches, Krisztina Lőrincz, Nina Litvin, and Monacuba demonstrate the power of contemporary painting to communicate emotions, preserve memories, and spark meaningful dialogue. Their works remind us that art remains one of the most compelling ways to explore both our inner worlds and the shared experiences that connect us.

Artistele Săptămânii la PPG: Nina Litvin, Krisztina Lőrincz și Monacuba

În această săptămână, People & Paintings Gallery vă invită să descoperiți trei artiste ale căror practici artistice demonstrează diversitatea și profunzimea picturii contemporane. Prin limbaje vizuale distincte, Krisztina Lőrincz, Nina Litvin și Monacuba explorează teme precum memoria, identitatea, emoția și experiența umană, construind universuri vizuale care invită la reflecție și dialog.

Krisztina Lőrincz

Artista Krisztina Lőrincz dezvoltă o practică picturală ce îmbină rafinamentul tehnic cu sensibilitatea. Inspirată atât de figura umană, cât și de poezia discretă a obiectelor cotidiene, lucrările sale explorează teme precum identitatea, memoria și conexiunile personale. Figura feminină ocupă adesea un loc central în compozițiile sale, fiind reprezentată cu delicatețe și profunzime psihologică. Deopotrivă remarcabile sunt naturile sale statice, în special cele dedicate obiectelor de familie, unde lumina, textura și atmosfera devin instrumente de evocare a poveștilor și amintirilor. Influențată de pregătirea sa muzicală, Lőrincz abordează pictura cu un puternic simț al ritmului și armoniei, folosind culoarea și compoziția pentru a transmite emoții care depășesc limitele limbajului verbal.

Profil artist: https://peopleandpaintings.com/krisztina_lorincz

Nina Litvin

Pictura Ninei Litvin se remarcă prin energia expresivă, paleta cromatică vibrantă și încărcătura emoțională profundă. Formată la Academia de Arte din Lviv și stabilită în prezent în Israel, artista explorează frecvent teme precum feminitatea, muzica, forța interioară și relațiile umane. Lucrările sale figurative surprind momente de introspecție și vulnerabilitate, în timp ce seria dedicată jazzului transpune ritmul și intensitatea muzicii în compoziții dinamice și pline de lumină. Fie că reprezintă muzicieni absorbiți de actul creației sau personaje surprinse în momente de reflecție, Litvin reușește să redea acele emoții subtile care modelează experiența umană și creează legături autentice între operă și privitor.

Profil artist: https://peopleandpaintings.com/nina_litvin

Monacuba

Sub pseudonimul artistic Monacuba, Elena Chulkova și-a construit o prezență vizuală distinctă, modelată de o relație profundă și de lungă durată cu lumea artei și a culturii. Lucrările sale reflectă o perspectivă personală asupra realității contemporane, îmbinând simbolismul cu reflecția filosofică. Mai mult decât reprezentări ale lumii vizibile, picturile sale urmăresc să dezvăluie dimensiunile estetice și spirituale ascunse în experiențele cotidiene. Prin imagini sugestive și un limbaj artistic propriu, Monacuba invită publicul să privească dincolo de aparențe și să descopere noi sensuri legate de memorie, percepție și existență. Rezultatul este o operă profund contemplativă, care îmbină experiența personală cu întrebări universale despre condiția umană.

Profil artist: https://peopleandpaintings.com/monacuba

Prin abordările lor unice, Krisztina Lőrincz, Nina Litvin și Monacuba demonstrează capacitatea artei contemporane de a transforma experiențele personale în povești vizuale cu rezonanță universală. Lucrările lor ne reamintesc că pictura rămâne un spațiu privilegiat pentru explorarea emoțiilor, a memoriei și a legăturilor care ne definesc ca oameni.

Cosmina Marcela OLTEAN

Interviews for People & Paintings Gallery (II) / Meet the Artist: Nina Litvin - From Design Back to Painting

 Nina is a Ukrainian artist based in Israel and one of the House Artists at People & Paintings Gallery. Her colorful art exudes movement, energy, and a deeply personal touch. I had the joy of learning from her about how she sees and feels art, and about the journey that has brought her to where she is today.

[A Ukrainian version of our conversation is available below.]

Cosmina / PPG: Hi Nina! We’re grateful for the chance to hear your perspective—thank you for joining this conversation. To begin, could you tell us a bit more about yourself?

Nina: I am a professional artist, originally from Ukraine, now living in Israel. I graduated from Lviv Academy of Arts and worked as a designer for many years before returning to painting full-time in 2013. Art has always been a language for me, through which I express my deepest thoughts, feelings and intuition. I often say that I paint not with my hands, but with my inner world.

How did your artistic story begin?

Nina: My story began in childhood, when I found inspiration and solace in drawing. I received an art education, but life took me to the world of fashion and design. Later I returned to painting with a new sense of meaning. Since then, I have been exploring themes that reflect both my personal journey and universal human experiences.

What is your definition of art?

Nina: For me, art is a form of silent dialogue between the soul and the world. It is not just a way to convey beauty or emotions - it is a way to listen, to ask questions and to remember. True art touches something eternal in us. It is the light we find in the darkness, the answer we did not expect, but have been looking for a long time.

How would you describe your style and the themes that excite you most?

Nina: My style is expressive and intuitive - a combination of figurative and abstract elements. I often work in oil or acrylic, using color and form as a way of layered expression. My main themes are the inner world of man, transformation, silence, identity, connection with nature and finding light in the shadows. I try to capture what cannot be said in words.

Where do you find your inspiration? Is there an artist in art history that you particularly identify with?

Nina: I find inspiration in music, light, nature and human emotions. Sometimes a fragment of a dream, a fleeting moment or a glance becomes a spark. I admire many artists, but I am especially drawn to the emotional depth of Egon Schiele, the color palette of Klimt, and the poetry of Marc Chagall's works.

What were the key moments of your artistic history?

Nina: Returning to painting after a long break was a turning point. Participation in international exhibitions and the opportunity to present my works in New York became an important recognition and support for me. It confirmed that my voice as an artist matters and can be heard beyond borders.

What's next in your artistic practice? What do you dream of or want to explore?

Nina: I feel like I'm entering a quieter, more contemplative phase of my creative journey. I want to explore themes of silence, inner light, and those invisible threads that connect people to each other and to nature. I dream of creating a series of works that are like breathing - subtle, intimate, but filled with meaning.

Most of all, I want my paintings to give a sense of presence, to slow down time and remind us of something important and almost forgotten. At the same time, I dream of exhibiting more widely and being more recognized as an artist - not for fame, but because I want people to feel a real connection with my work. I hope that my paintings bring joy, depth and recognition of something common, something human.

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We invite you to visit Nina’s profile on our Gallery website to discover her art.

An interview by Cosmina-Marcela Oltean,

PPG media moderator & art writer

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Расскажите немного о себе...

Меня зовут Нина Литвин. Я профессиональный художник, родом из Украины, сейчас живу в Израиле. Я окончила Львовскую академию искусств и много лет проработала дизайнером, прежде чем в 2013 году полностью вернуться к живописи. Искусство всегда было для меня языком, через который я выражаю свои самые глубокие размышления, чувства и интуицию. Я часто говорю, что рисую не руками, а своим внутренним миром.

Как началась ваша художественная история?

Моя история началась в детстве, когда я находила вдохновение и утешение в рисовании. Я получила художественное образование, но жизнь увела меня в мир моды и дизайна. Лишь позже я вернулась к живописи с новым ощущением смысла. С тех пор я исследую темы, которые отражают как мой личный путь, так и универсальные человеческие переживания.

Каково ваше определение искусства?

Для меня искусство — это форма безмолвного диалога между душой и миром. Это не просто способ передать красоту или эмоции — это способ слушать, задавать вопросы и помнить. Истинное искусство затрагивает в нас что-то вечное. Это свет, который мы находим во тьме, это ответ, которого мы не ждали, но давно искали.

Как бы вы описали свой стиль и темы, которые вас волнуют больше всего?

Мой стиль выразительный и интуитивный — сочетание фигуративных и абстрактных элементов. Я часто работаю маслом или акрилом, используя цвет и форму как способ многослойного выражения. Мои основные темы — это внутренний мир человека, трансформация, тишина, идентичность, связь с природой и поиск света в тени. Я стараюсь уловить то, что нельзя сказать словами.

Где вы чаще всего находите вдохновение? Есть ли художник в истории искусства, с которым вы особенно себя ассоциируете?

Вдохновение я нахожу в музыке, свете, природе и человеческих чувствах. Иногда искрой становится фрагмент сна, мимолётный момент или взгляд. Я восхищаюсь многими художниками, но особенно близка мне эмоциональная глубина Эгона Шиле, цветовая палитра Климта и поэзия работ Марка Шагала.

Какие моменты стали ключевыми в вашей художественной истории?

Возвращение к живописи после долгого перерыва стало поворотным моментом. Участие в международных выставках и возможность представить свои работы в Нью-Йорке стало для меня важным признанием и поддержкой. Это подтвердило, что мой голос как художника имеет значение и может звучать за пределами границ.

Что дальше в вашей художественной практике? О чём вы мечтаете или что хотите исследовать?

Я чувствую, что вхожу в более тихую, созерцательную фазу своего творческого пути. Мне хочется исследовать темы тишины, внутреннего света и тех невидимых нитей, которые соединяют людей друг с другом и с природой. Я мечтаю создать серию работ, похожую на дыхание — тонкую, интимную, но наполненную смыслом.
Больше всего мне хочется, чтобы мои картины дарили ощущение присутствия, замедляли время и напоминали о чём-то важном и почти забытом.

В то же время я мечтаю шире выставляться и быть более узнаваемой как художник — не ради славы, а потому что хочу, чтобы люди чувствовали настоящую связь с моими работами. Я надеюсь, что мои картины приносят радость, глубину и узнавание чего-то общего, человеческого.