Nikolett S. Koltai

Year of birth: 1993.
Where do you live: Dunaföldvár, Hungary.
Describe your art in three words: soft, vibrant, emotional.
Website | Instagram

Your passion for art began at a very young age. How did your early experiences shape your approach to art today?

When I was a child, my mom used to draw a lot for me. It was a magical feeling to see how anything could be created with just a piece of paper and a pencil, so I started trying it myself. Besides my mom, my grandmothers also supported me a lot. For every special occasion (birthday, Christmas, etc.), I would ask for paints, crayons, paper, and colored pencils, and I had the opportunity to study in art schools.

When I paint, I completely shut out the world to create a new one. At the time, I didn’t know there was a word for this feeling – it’s called flow, which I quickly and easily mastered to this day. I want to teach this experience to my little son.

How do you decide on the color palette for each of your pieces? What role do pastel tones play in your work?

First and foremost, my journeys and current emotions shape the primary color palette of each creation. In fact, it’s mostly the colors that dictate the painting process. My color palettes serve to bring calm, peace, and a sense of slowing down in today’s fast-paced and noisy world.

Nikolett S. Koltai | Balaton

Your work often balances soft, vibrant colors with bold, expressive strokes. Can you share how you find that balance in your artistic process?

I experiment a lot and constantly seek the path that truly defines me, as well as what I want to express through my work. Even today, approx. one in five of my creations is something I’m truly satisfied with, but the remaining four—those that didn’t turn out as expected—are the ones that teach me the most. It’s important to understand that this is not a linear process; there are deep lows and soaring highs. My work reflects this wave, where soft, pleasant tones are accompanied by bold, decisive lines.

In what ways do your personal experiences and memories influence the themes and emotions expressed in your art?

I love traveling, hiking, and being present in nature, so this usually defines the themes of my artwork. I want to capture the beauty that surrounds me.

Even in my abstract paintings, the colors of nature, blooming flowers, sunsets, or the changing seasons serve as the foundation, which I express through colors. When I want to depict something more concrete, I usually use my own photographs as a reference or try to visually recreate my memories.

Nikolett S. Koltai | Cherry-blossom

Your art seems to evoke a sense of tranquility and introspection. How do you want viewers to feel when they engage with your work?

I’ve realised that everyone lives in their own lonely, closed-off world and doesn’t see the beautiful world they live in. With my art, I want to encourage my viewers to pause for a moment, be present, take a deep breath, slow down, and reconnect with themselves.

How do you approach the use of contrasting strokes in your paintings? Do you see it as a way to create harmony or tension?

I think this is a journey of self-discovery, so I’d say it’s both about harmony and tension. In a way, when creating, a person both rises and sinks at the same time. When I work on contrasts, I tend to feel more excited rather than calm. 

Nikolett S. Koltai | Cyprus

What is your creative process like from concept to finished piece? Do you rely on any specific techniques or mediums to bring your ideas to life?  

Sometimes it takes days to find my rhythm in creating again. During these times, I immerse myself even more deeply in my surroundings and thoughts.

Once the idea is born, I plan how to bring it to life and what color palette to use. In this phase, I start selecting the dominant colors and tones.

Next, I quickly sketch the composition, then work on the contrasts and depths, using neutral dark and natural light shades. At this stage, I often squint at the artwork to better perceive the sense of space.

After that, I refine the painting layer by layer, color by color, until the final touches. I take occasional breaks, stepping back to view the whole piece with fresh eyes before making any final adjustments.