I’m a fine artist, photographer, designer, and former curator, originally from Slovakia (formerly Czechoslovakia), now living in the United States. Slovakia’s rich cultural history—from traditional folk art to modern and contemporary movements, particularly during periods of political upheaval—has deeply shaped my perspective and informed my creative journey.

Growing up under Soviet totalitarianism, I experienced the realities of communist oppression firsthand. These experiences fueled my passion for art and a hunger for freedom. In high school, I became involved in activism, speaking out against the Communist regime. I later participated in the Velvet Revolution of 1989, a historic turning point that ended communist rule in Czechoslovakia.

After earning a degree in Art History in Banská Bystrica, I began exploring beyond my home country. I worked for several years as a travel agent and history guide in Venice, Italy, where I deepened my knowledge of art and history, learned the language, and prepared for the next step in my journey: moving to New York City. There, between freelance projects, I worked in the fashion and editorial industries as a set designer at Chad Dziewior’s Studio and the Katy Barker Agency, collaborating with photographers and designers across disciplines.

During 9/11 in New York City, smoke lingered for months, panic swept the streets, and work in the industry came to a halt. With the city in crisis, I moved to Los Angeles, where I later began working in film production. I also had the opportunity to work for pop artist Steve Kaufman, Andy Warhol’s former assistant. I later settled in Portland, Oregon, where I further developed my artistic and curatorial voice as an artist and curator at the former Anka Gallery.

My creative practice spans three primary mediums—painting, photography, and design—through which I explore the boundaries between disciplines. I work primarily with acrylics on canvas or wood panels, creating abstract, figurative, and landscape-based works. Over time, my practice has evolved into an in-depth exploration of patterns, often derived from my original photography or fine art. This ongoing experimentation merges mathematical precision with an esoteric line of inquiry, examining the relationship between nature, form, and abstraction.

In addition to my creative work, I am a longtime public education and arts integration advocate. I am also engaged in journalistic activism and have worked for several years as an investigative journalist and researcher with the Greg Palast Investigative Fund, as well as with independent media and advocacy organizations focused on human rights, environmental justice, and voting rights.

My life and work reflect a journey that has shaped me; a story of resilience, curiosity, and passion for art. I reside with my family in the Pacific Northwest of the USA.