Nadezhda Bedei

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What inspired you to start working with soft pastels, and what draws you to this medium specifically?

I originally started my artistic journey working mostly with oil paints, captivated by their depth and richness. But over time, I found myself drawn more and more to dry materials, and soft pastels quickly became my favorite.
What I love most about pastels is their tactile nature—there’s something special about working directly with the pigment, feeling the texture of the surface, and blending colors with just my hands. There’s no need for brushes or waiting for layers to dry; everything happens instantly, making the process incredibly expressive and intuitive.
Pastels also offer a wonderful freedom—they can be used in so many ways! From soft, delicate transitions to bold, textured strokes, from smooth blending to layering vibrant hues, the possibilities are endless. This versatility and immediacy keep me constantly inspired, allowing me to experiment and push my work in new directions while staying true to the emotions and atmosphere I want to create.

Can you describe your creative process? How do you begin a new piece, and how does it evolve over time?

Every piece begins with a feeling—a fleeting moment of light, a landscape that lingers in my mind, or an emotion I want to translate into color. Sometimes, I start with a clear idea, and other times, I simply let intuition take the lead.
I begin with an underpainting, often using watercolor or a wet pastel wash to set the foundation. This helps me establish the composition, values, and overall mood before I start layering dry pastel. From there I build up textures, refine details, and adjust contrasts, always looking for that perfect balance between structure and spontaneity.
The process can be completely immersive, to the point where time ceases to exist. More than once, I’ve started a painting in the evening, only to look up and realize the sun is rising—the world outside has moved forward, but I’ve been completely lost in color, light, and movement.
I know a piece is finished when it feels alive—when the atmosphere is present, the light is right, and the emotions I wanted to capture are fully realized. But I always step away for a while, letting the work sit, before making those final touches that truly complete it.

Nadezhda Bedei | Eternal Ice of Patagonia

How does your environment, particularly your current location in Argentina, influence your work?

Argentina is a place of incredible contrasts, and that diversity has had a huge impact on my work. From the vast, open landscapes of the Pampas to the dramatic peaks of the Andes and the ever-changing light over Buenos Aires, there’s endless inspiration everywhere I look.
Beyond the landscapes, the cultural energy of Argentina is something I deeply admire. There’s a passion in everything—art, music, daily life—and that sense of movement and emotion naturally finds its way into my work. Being surrounded by such a rich artistic and cultural environment encourages me to experiment more, to explore new techniques, and to push my work in directions I might not have considered before.
Living here has also deepened my connection to nature—how it changes, how it breathes, how it holds stories. Whether it’s the glow of a sunset over the mountains or the quiet stillness of a misty morning, Argentina constantly reminds me why I paint—to capture those fleeting moments and share their emotion with others.

Your art seems to beautifully capture the light and color in nature. How do you approach the challenge of translating natural light into your pastel works?

Thank you so much for noticing! Light is what brings a painting to life—it’s the soul of a landscape, the element that defines mood, atmosphere, and emotion. Capturing it is always a challenge, but also the most exciting part of my process.
I don’t just try to replicate what I see; I focus on how the light feels—its warmth, its movement, the way it transforms a place in a matter of moments. Some days, it’s soft and diffused, creating a sense of stillness; other times, it’s dramatic and full of energy. I love translating those shifting moments into my work, letting color and contrast guide the story.
Nature never repeats itself—every sunrise, every reflection, every shadow is unique. That’s what makes painting light so fascinating. It’s never about chasing perfection, but about capturing an impression, a fleeting emotion, something that resonates beyond the image itself. I want a viewer to see that connection.

Nadezhda Bedei | Iguazu Beyond the Silence | 2024

What themes do you explore in your artwork, and why are they significant to you personally?

My work revolves around themes of nature, light, memory, and transformation—all things that constantly change yet leave a lasting impression.
Nature, for me, is more than just scenery; it’s a living, breathing force that reflects emotions and stories. Light plays a huge role in my paintings, not just as a visual element but as a way to express mood—whether it’s the gentle glow of dawn or the last golden rays of sunset.
Memory is another theme that finds its way into my work. I don’t aim for strict realism but rather for a feeling—how we remember places, how colors seem richer in our minds, how certain landscapes feel familiar even if we’ve never been there before.
And then there’s transformation—the way light shifts, the way landscapes evolve, and the way we, as people, change along with them. Painting allows me to capture these moments and share them with others, inviting viewers to find their own connections and emotions within the scene.

You’ve mentioned cultural traditions as a source of inspiration. Can you tell us more about how your travels and cultural experiences have shaped your art?

Traveling is not just about seeing new places—it’s about understanding their essence, and that’s what I try to reflect in my work. Each culture has its own nature, color, and stories, and I love incorporating those elements into my paintings.
I often research local myths, legends, and traditions, using them to add deeper meaning to my landscapes. A mountain isn’t just a mountain; it might be a sacred place in folklore, a symbol of resilience, or a guardian of untold stories. The way people perceive their surroundings—whether through ancient tales or modern-day rituals—enriches my understanding of a place and allows me to paint not just what I see, but the layers of meaning that exist within it.
At the heart of it all, my goal is to capture not just what I see, but what I feel—the emotion of a place, its energy, its unique sense of time. Traveling has taught me that no two landscapes, no two cultures, and no two moments are ever the same—and that’s exactly what makes painting them so exciting!

Nadezhda Bedei | Heart of the Volcano

How do you see the connection between nature, humans, and inner emotions in your artwork?

For me, nature is not just a background—it’s a living, breathing presence that reflects our emotions and experiences. Just like people, landscapes change constantly. A quiet misty morning can feel introspective, while a golden sunset might evoke warmth and nostalgia. Light, color, and movement in nature all have an emotional depth that speaks to something within us.
I see a strong connection between how we feel and how we experience the world around us. Sometimes, a vast open landscape can symbolize freedom, while a winding forest path might feel like a journey into the unknown. I love exploring these subtle parallels between nature and human emotions, creating paintings that invite viewers to find their own meaning in them.
Ultimately, my goal is to create a space where nature, memory, and emotion intertwine—where the viewer can step into the scene, not just as an observer, but as someone who feels connected to the light, the atmosphere, and the story within the painting.

Nadezhda Bedei | Light of Hope