My Story
I paint the serenity of landscapes and the inner worlds hidden within portraits
I create under the artistic name MonArp, formed from the initials of my first and last name. I live and paint in Slovakia.
My journey into painting began quite unexpectedly — with a paint-by-numbers kit I bought at the end of 2020. When I finished the painting, I had a few small jars of acrylic paint left over. It felt wrong to throw them away, so I took an old piece of cardboard and spontaneously painted my first winter landscape. That moment of pure joy revived a childhood dream of painting that had long been forgotten.
I have no formal art education, so I paint intuitively, guided by feeling in the moment. I draw inspiration from nature, the rhythm of music, and everyday moments.
(NON)portraits
Watercolor currently dominates my work. Through its lightness and unpredictability, I explore the world of emotions. My portraits are not classical studies of the face. I search for what lies beneath the surface: inner experience, hidden tension, and the fleeting nature of a moment. I often focus on women and their confrontation with their own minds.
Landscape Painting as a Source of Energy
Landscape painting is my reset and source of strength. When I paint a landscape, I do not merely stand in front of the canvas — I become part of the world I am painting. With every brushstroke, I am truly there, surrounded by the nature unfolding before me.
I also work with acrylic painting on canvas. Its fast drying time, precision in detail, and intense colors allow me to build layers and create lasting works.
Yet my creative curiosity constantly drives me to search for new forms of expression, which is why I occasionally expand my palette with oil painting and soft pastel.
“My work is a continuous interplay between impressionistic freedom and realistic precision. I long to lose myself in a blurred haze of color, yet I am constantly drawn back to the sharp contours of reality.”
Publications and awards
2026 - Region Art 2026
I participated in the regional competition of non-professional visual art, Region Art 2026 in Nitra, where I received an Honourable Mention from the professional jury.
2021 - Publications by Shan Peck
Some of my artworks were selected for thematic publications by the American author Shan Peck, documenting contemporary non-professional visual art by artists from various countries.
Available from https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B014CFNC0I
 Fine Art PaintingsFine Art Paintings My oil painting "Garages" was featured on the back cover of this edition. The publication also includes my works: "At the End of the Day", "Van Gogh's Color Palette", and "Burdock Bay". |  Fine Art PortraitsFine Art Portraits Featuring my acrylic portrait "Lagertha". |  Architecture in ArtArchitecture in Art Published paintings: "Nitra in 1920", "With Courage", and "On the Corner of Kluch Palace in Nitra". |
|---|