Artist Statement
As an artist, I strive to capture the beauty that exists in all things through a bold exploration of color, texture, and movement. My work tends to revolve around life in all its forms and the whimsical side of the human experience. Our dreams, journeys, triumphs, and transformations inspire me–the moments that remind us to appreciate the wonders all around and look beyond the static world. Even the turbulence and messiness of life have beauty to embrace as they drive our spirits in unexpected directions.
For me, creating each piece is an adventure that sparks from a single idea and comes to life as I explore it with both my eyes and my fingertips. I am drawn to visual and physical texture, and many of my works incorporate organic materials including real flowers, leaves, and bark in combination with traditional mediums such as acrylics, oils, inks, and resins. I am also moved by bright colors–yellow in particular–and find that experiencing them lifts my mood and immerses me into an energized space. Through my art, I aim to embrace change, bestow joy, and always remember that
Life is good!
Artist Bio & Exhibitions
Greek-Canadian artist Nina Antonakes’ natural and vivid spaces of terrene and elemental wonders are one of a kind. The artist works with acrylic, mixed media, and other materials to produce these immense visions of pristine beauty. Floral vegetation, rocky elevations, and the palettes of winter, autumn, summer and spring flood her canvases and fuel the impulse to touch and interact with their designs. Her pieces commonly depict the landscapes of Greece and Canada—two places she calls home and are dearest in her identity. Stylistically influenced by Igor Medvedev, Emile Bellet, and Phillipa Hudson, Antonakes then creates her art with the intent and pureness of reminding people, “life is good”. Incited by passion, she developed her hobby of painting into a business, where she now receives numerous sales and commissions.
Antonakes is a retired instructional designer who once developed online courses for the architecture and interior design community. She has a Bachelor of Commerce Honors degree from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario and an Advanced Diploma in Interior Design from Georgian College in Barrie Ontario. Her hobbies include traveling, golf and theatre.
Exhibitions and Publications
2023: Art’s Birthplace, Time of Art Gallery, Kifissia, Greece
2023: Imagination, Time of Art Gallery, Kifissia, Greece
2022: A Step Beyond Ordinary, Agora Gallery, New York City, NY
2022: Artbox Project Miami 3.0, Miami, Florida
2022: Collect Art, Abstract Art Special Edition Magazine
2022: Gallea Exhibition at LAUFT, Don Mills, ON
2022: Gallea Exhibition at BlueRock Therapeutics, Toronto, ON
2022: Fusion Art, Feature Artist, Online Exhibition
Awards
2023: Distinction, Gallery 4%, Unreal and Non-Representational Juried Exhibition
2023: Finalist Award, Teravarna, Portrait International Juried Art Competition
2023: 5th Place, Fusion 7th Annual Colors Art, Juried Online Exhibition
2023: Artistic Excellence Award, Circle Foundation for the Arts
2022: Finalist, Fusion 7th Annual Animal Kingdom, Juried Online Exhibition
2021: Finalist, Fusion 6th Annual Landscapes Art, Juried Online Exhibition
2021: Finalist, Fusion 7th Annual Colorful Abstractions Art, Juried Online Exhibition
2020: Certificate of Artistic Achievement, Luxembourg Art Prize 2020