The studio is both my sanctuary and my playground—a place where I can lose myself in the act of creating while discovering something unexpected along the way. Through mixed media, painting, and drawing, I translate emotions, experiences, and observations into visual language, building layers of texture, color, imagery, and symbolism to express what words often cannot.

At the heart of my work is an exploration of connection and protection—two universal human needs that cross cultures and generations. I’m interested in the different places protection comes from: forces greater than ourselves, the strength we cultivate within, and the people and communities that surround us.

I am especially drawn to the Nazar, or mati in Greek, a centuries-old symbol traditionally associated with protection from the “evil eye.” It appears throughout my work alongside imagery drawn from wildlife and nature, creating a visual vocabulary that explores the tension between vulnerability and strength, fragility and resilience, and isolation and belonging.

Each piece develops through layers—some intentional, others discovered through the process—inviting the viewer to find their own connections within the work.

See more of my work on Instagram: @nerissaballandart