From Vienna with Vision: My Transformative Artist Residency in Vienna

Vienna has long been on my list of cities to see, so when I stumbled upon the art residency program at SOON Art Studio—a vibrant creative hub run by Elisabeth and Rob Perez—I didn't hesitate to apply. After arriving, I immediately felt the weight of history in the air. For the past decade, I've balanced my life as a project manager in industrial construction with my passion for creating art. This journey began when I moved from Romania to Germany to pursue my career as a civil engineer, a radical shift during which art became the anchor that helped me find my rhythm.

Recently, I had the rare opportunity to step away from my daily routine and immerse myself entirely in this dedicated artist residency in Vienna. This period served as both a creative incubator and a profound lesson in art history, allowing me to explore new dimensions of my craft. Today, I want to share the insights gained during this transformative experience and how it elevates the artwork you can add to your collection.

A City Steeped in Art History

Vienna is a living museum. Walking its streets feels like turning the pages of an art history book, from the sweeping curves of the Belvedere Palace to the intricate details of St. Stephen's Cathedral. The architecture alone provides endless visual stimulation.

During my residency, I spent countless hours exploring these landmarks. The sheer scale and geometric precision of the city's historic buildings left a lasting impression on me. As an artist who combines detailed fineliner drawings with fluid resin paintings, I found a new appreciation for the balance between realism and abstraction, classic and modern. The classical art surrounding me inspired me to refine my technique, while observing the works of Austrian masters taught me new ways to use visual metaphors to convey complex themes of fulfillment, satisfaction, and hope. This unique blend of old and new infuses my work with fresh energy.

With every lesson I learn from the classics, my artistic style becomes more defined, making these creative experiences essential to my growth. For you, the collector, this means the newest pieces in my collection carry the subtle influence of one of Europe's most culturally rich cities, offering more diverse and unique stories for you to connect with.

Embracing Digital Innovation: Procreate Dreams

My art is often inspired by the world around me and my everyday life. While I deeply cherish the tactile joy of putting pen to paper, I challenged myself to expand my creative expression during this residency. I wanted to optimize the digital extensions I attach to my artworks and decided to dive into the world of digital animation using Procreate Dreams.

Learning this software was a steep but rewarding journey. It allowed me to breathe movement into my static fineliner drawings. During the residency, I created a digital collage of an anatomical heart that expresses my many interests. I envisioned it beating and coming alive, not just remaining a static image. Animating this piece allowed me to show the audience the beating heart behind my creative practice—my true vision for the composition.

Integrating digital animation doesn't replace the physical artwork; it enhances it, offering a dynamic experience that bridges the gap between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary innovation.

Layering Reality with Artivive

A thrilling discovery for visitors at my final residency exhibition was the digital layer I added to my physical artworks using the Artivive app. This tool brings augmented reality to traditional art—you can even see it in action at the Belvedere museum.

By layering animations created with Procreate Dreams over my physical pieces, I built a hidden dimension within the canvas. When you view these specific artworks through a smartphone or tablet using Artivive, the art comes alive. This technology transforms the viewing into a deeply personal and interactive experience.

From an investment perspective, this dual-layered approach adds significant value. It guarantees authenticity, as the digital animation is uniquely tied to the physical piece. This secure integration provides an exclusive insider experience, ensuring the artwork you acquire is not just visually striking, but technologically one-of-a-kind.

Curating the Final Exhibition

Choosing the right pieces for an exhibition is never simple. I always approach it by considering the story I want to tell, whether for a solo show or a themed group event. For my solo exhibition following the art residency, I decided to feature a mix of artworks, each with its own digital extension. Curating this event with SOON Art Studio required us to look at my work with a critical eye, ensuring the progression of the pieces told a cohesive story.

The final selection was diverse. It included resin mixed-media pieces with digital and audio layers, an excerpt from my "Threads of Heritage" project—complete with inspiration photos from the Museum of Ethnography and Border Regiment Caransebeș and insightful descriptions by PhD candidate and ethnologist Alexandra Negrilă—and a few new pieces created during the residency. When arranging the gallery, I wanted visitors to feel the same sense of discovery I experienced while exploring Vienna, guiding them through my personal journey of finding joy, purpose, and control through art.

Connecting with other artists, curators, and collectors during the exhibition was a wonderful experience that reinforced my belief in art's power to communicate on a deeper level. The positive feedback I received confirmed that these new techniques resonate strongly within the contemporary art market.

Elevating Your Art Portfolio

Building a meaningful art collection is about discovering rare and authentic pieces. The artwork I developed during my Vienna residency marks a significant milestone in my career, merging the precision of my civil engineering background with fluid, emotional expression and cutting-edge digital technology.

These new pieces will be available in the website shop by the end of April, delivered in the remarkable Whitewall quality we've all come to love. I’m also thrilled to introduce two new product types to my offering: textile-printed canvases and high-quality prints in vibrant, Pop Art-style neon frames. I am sure you will love them as much as I do.

Acquiring a piece from this collection is more than just a purchase; it’s a secure investment with a deeply documented backstory. You receive not just a painting, but a verified piece of my transformative journey. The integration of Artivive technology also ensures absolute provenance, giving you peace of mind with your acquisition.

Whether you focus on contemporary artists or unique mixed-media installations, these new works offer a rare opportunity to diversify your portfolio. They stand as a testament to my belief that both life and art are to be admired from more than one perspective.