We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ivona Martincic a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ivona, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I was already trained and working in a creative field – interior design – when I was invited to participate in an interesting project that gradually led me to transition into being an artist. I had already started making wool tapestries and knitted pieces for the home when I was approached by the organizers of a local street art project. They asked if I could create a couple of crochet installations on the walls of buildings in the old town. The idea was to find damaged locations in the city and “repair” them with pieces of knitting, drawing attention to the neglected state of Zagreb’s old town.

Ivona, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m an artist and designer from Croatia, creating mixed media paintings, prints, and wall tapestries. My background in interior design helps me produce contemporary pieces that naturally fit into modern interiors.

I entered the world of art after being immersed in a local street art project. That experience opened up a new world of possibilities, giving me the creative freedom to fully express my ideas and embrace who I am as an artist.

My work is both quirky and dreamy, celebrating the power of imagination while also cherishing moments of leisure – those times when the mind is truly free. I love to celebrate freedom, playfulness, and the lightness of being. My mission is to empower people, especially women, to embrace their uniqueness and be whoever they want to be.

I believe that a piece of art on the wall can influence one’s daily mood, inspiring and empowering both consciously and subconsciously. Interior design has a similar effect, but in a more subtle way. Art, however, speaks more directly and emotionally. This is why I chose to create art – to send an uplifting and empowering message, to brighten someone’s day, and to make a collector’s space and mood a little lighter and more joyful.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I don’t think NFTs will ever replace real art. A brushstroke, a texture – these elements directly convey the artist’s energy in a way that is almost palpable. In fact, I believe the opposite trend is emerging in response to NFTs and digital art. People are rediscovering and appreciating tangible, handmade works, including traditional crafts.

It is in human nature to seek connection – with real people and real emotions. Two dimensions are simply not enough for a full experience. We need to smell, touch, and closely examine the materials – qualities that cannot be replicated in an NFT.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Being an artist means constantly learning and staying curious – both about the world and about yourself. You develop a heightened awareness of your surroundings and emotions, which naturally leads to a deeper understanding of yourself.

In my experience, this process has helped me filter information more effectively and make decisions more intuitively. I’ve learned to recognize what truly resonates with me and let go of things that no longer feel right – whether habits, creative approaches, or even ways of thinking. Over time, this has made me more confident in trusting my instincts, both in art and in life. As an artist, you often become more comfortable in your own company, finding joy in creative exploration and solitude.

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to influence others and shape their mood. But with that comes the responsibility to be intentional about the messages we share.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ivonamartincic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voona.art/ , https://www.instagram.com/voona.design/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artbyivonamartincic# , https://www.facebook.com/voona.wool/

Image Credits

Mary Crnkovic Pilas