Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Stefania Nistoreanu

Stefania Nistoreanu shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Stefania , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
INTRO: Stefania Nistoreanu is a Romanian painter known for her symbolic, often ethereal works that blend spirituality, surrealism, and emotion. She gained international attention a few years ago when she became one of the first artists in the world to sell a painting using Bitcoin. Her art often explores the connection between the human spirit and the divine, with themes of transformation and light – very distinctive visually and philosophically.

My mornings aren’t always the same, they depend on the weather, my dreams, and my thoughts. But no matter what, the first fifteen minutes always belong to my little animals: my dog and three cats. I take care of them, prepare their food, and, of course, give them plenty of affection.

If it’s warm and sunny, I usually go for a walk in the garden with my dog, Lea, have a cup of black or green tea, sometimes with milk, do a bit of Pilates or yoga, check the internet, make plans with my fiancé, take a shower, and then spend the next few hours in front of the easel.

If it’s cold and cloudy, we all stay indoors – me and the whole furry team – and stretch out the tea time and cuddle a little longer. We make more plans, I study and sketch ideas for a new painting. Melancholy inspires me; I let myself dream even more, to travel through my ideal world as if I were still half-asleep.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m an artist. I started to paint when I was a child. At eleven, I became deeply passionate about drawing, and from that moment on, I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to visual art. I’ve never doubted or abandoned my path.

I believe my art is untouched by trends. I allow myself to be completely honest in what I create. It’s necessary for me to express myself in my own style – everything I paint is very personal. Sometimes raw and unfiltered, but more often subtle. I work with symbols; I live in allegories. Through painting, I step into myths and alternate realities.

A few years ago, I sold a painting using Bitcoin – one of the first such transactions in the world. I didn’t do it for the technology itself, but because I’ve always been open to the spirit of the times, to new ways of expressing and sharing art. I believe creativity must stay alive and evolve with the world around it.

My purpose is to remind people of the essential role art plays in their lives: real, authentic art that nourishes the soul.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I’m convinced that my view of life and the world is not fixed, it keeps moving, correcting itself, and growing. Although I’ve gone through many stages and tried different approaches, a part of my strict and religious upbringing has stayed with me.

The most important moment so far was meeting my mentor. That encounter opened a new path for me, one of understanding, freedom, tolerance, and courage. It was then that I realized how little I knew, and how lucky I was to be able to learn so much more, to polish more facets of myself, and eventually to give something back.

It wasn’t easy to let go of my old beliefs. Even now, there are moments when I stumble. But I’ve become aware and awake. I no longer have doubts, only goodwill.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Stefi, don’t be afraid – ever, of anything. You don’t need to be. Be brave, have faith. When you’re not afraid, anything is possible. When you let go of doubt and fear, you become unstoppable.

I learned that after many years of avoiding amazing ideas simply because I was afraid of failure or of looking ridiculous. (That’s what happens when your ego is as big as a French dinosaur!)

I’d also tell myself: observe, don’t judge. Play, and don’t take yourself too seriously. Be modest, but dignified. Express yourself, but don’t insist, you might become ridiculous. Love without expecting anything in return. In general, do things without waiting for a reward. Look with your heart.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends know that peace – both inner and outer – matters most to me. That’s my purpose: to be free. Because to me, true freedom means allowing yourself to find and maintain absolute peace. It’s the most precious thing one can have.

At least, that’s how I see it. And the people around me notice that I focus all my energy in that direction. The general noise around us today, especially on a subconscious level, is terrible. It wears us down, and we don’t even understand why we’re not well, why we’re not happy.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I’d stop worrying so much. I’d stop trying not to disappoint, trying to please. I wouldn’t live even for a moment as a reflection of others. I’d pack lightly and set out to discover the world, myself, the truth, our purpose. Or maybe I’d simply enjoy the time I have left on this planet, and in that process, who knows, perhaps I’d discover immortality.

Image Credits
Photos courtesy of Stefania Nistoreanu; stefanianistoreanu.com