Dragoș Nicolaie Ilie

You originally studied mechanical and electrical engineering and work as a project manager in the petrochemical field. How do you feel your engineering background influences your approach to painting?

Being gratuated in Engineering since 2012, I have gained along with the time, the ability to observe, dimensioning, deep-detail orientation, scaling of objects and creativity.

Dragoș Nicolaie Ilie | Crusader Battle From Arsuf | 2025

You began painting for your own home in 2016 and later joined a professional art studio in 2025. What motivated you to take this important step from a hobby to a more serious artistic practice?

I created over +60 painting during my amateur period (until 2025), most of paintings have been donated to the friends, family or job colleagues. Then, i decided to be become professional in order to become more visible on the local arts market, to participate and to gain trophies to national and international art contest and to remain in the memory of my country as a promissing painter.

Dragoș Nicolaie Ilie | My Cousin Mariana | 2025

You also studied the violin for four years. Do you find any connections between music and your visual art?

For sure, the music has a strong connection with the arts. For example, i gained the ability to feel every small movement of the hand in order to perform a detail by brush, the knowledge to use my patience and the ability to observe and anticipate the next step in the creation. For both of arts passions, i had to dedicate myself alongside with a hardwork.

How do you choose your subjects, from still lifes and portraits to imaginative historical scenes like Crusader Battle from Arsuf?

Well, I have been addicted to still life and portraits painting since my childrenhood, but i never thought i will become a arts student in the future.

As a Romanian and Eastern European citizen, i was a deeptly impressed by our national painter artist such as Nicolae Tonitza, Theodor Pallady, Nicolae Grigorescu, Stefan Luchian and others, so, I have the moral duty to continue my Romanian art mission for classic and traditional art concepts.

Also, i was fascinated by the Crusaders historically campaigns, being inspired by movies, video games and books. I intend for my portopholio to add around 10 oil paintings with diffrerent Crusaders scenarios.

Dragoș Nicolaie Ilie | Traditions And Technolgy | 2025

Who are the artists or art movements that have most inspired you?

To be honest, I have been inspired mostly by my painting professor and contemporan Romanian artist, Vali Irina Ciobanu.

In contemporan period, i was influenced by Romanian artist such as Mihai Olteanu, Maria Jarda, Mariana Papara and my mentor, Vali Irina Ciobanu.

Since July 2025 you have already won national and international art contests. Which experience has been the most memorable or meaningful to you so far?

I have started to participate and gain trophies as arts amateur since August 2025. My first and most memorable contest until now have been the internationl arts contest held in Cluj Napoca County, August 2025.

I remember that i was counting every day left until the results since i have starting the registration into the contest. I was my first trophy won, being a memorable experience for my confidence.

Dragoș Nicolaie Ilie | Tulips And Objects | 2025

What do you hope viewers take away from your art when they encounter it for the first time?

I would like that the viewers to appreciate my hardwork, time spent for studying a difficult and serious art discipline.

I have learned that behind every initiation student arts period, there is around 80% hardwork, passion, patience, then remaining 20% is about native talent.
So, the viewers, mostly, will ask me about the hours spent for each artwork, rather than price or final destination of painting.