Contemporary
Abstract Art

“No pen, no ink, no table, no room, no time,
no quiet, no inspiration.” – James Joyce

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Welcome

Hello, my name is Catalina Novac. I am an artist and writer with a deep passion for exploring happiness, joy, and well-being. I study abstract painting at the Art League in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, where I have the extraordinary privilege of learning from the amazing artist John Blee, whose work is featured in permanent collections at the National Gallery, MoMA, the LA Gallery, and galleries around the world.

I also hold a Ph.D. in developmental psychology from the University of Rochester, where I had the honor of studying with Professor Richard M.Ryan, a world leader in motivation and the science of well-being. I invite you to explore my website—discover my paintings, upcoming shows, publications, coaching services, and podcasts.

My paintings are a celebration of our search for joy—the art of happiness expressed through the kindest, most radiant pastel colors. Inspired by Self-Determination Theory (Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, 2000), they explore the three psychological needs essential for a healthy and fulfilling sense of well-being: autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

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Art of Being Happy

Art has the power to bring happiness — but what if it could last? What if happiness was not just a feeling that visits, but a way of living we intentionally create and sustain? Through my Art of Happiness podcasts, I explore how we can grow, maintain a healthy sense of well-being, and create environments that support engagement, meaning, and fulfillment. I invite you to join the conversation and take small, thoughtful steps toward a deeper, more enduring sense of happiness. And soon, my course on happiness will be here to continue the journey.

Discover the Program

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly;
what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Books
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The Japanese Cherry Tree The Japanese Cherry Tree
This poetry collection invites the reader into a fragile vision of justice in a world turned upside down—where fairness drifts beyond the horizon, yet our longing for what is right refuses to be silenced.
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Love Love
This poetry collection explores love through a social justice lens, tracing a journey across the world—from Hawaii to Venice—in search of compassion, connection, and humanity.
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Romanian Gulag Romanian Gulag
This book examines the trauma caused by Romania’s Communist totalitarian regime (1945–1989), which imprisoned thousands in the Romanian Gulag. Using interviews with six former political prisoners, I analyze how incarceration affected their psychological well-being and how trauma appears in their narratives.
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Selected Publications and Interviews

Articles, interviews, and published works exploring art, writings and well-being

John Blee
John Blee

We invite you into a thoughtful conversation with John Blee (my art mentor), a genius in abstract art, whose works are held in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), National Gallery of Art, LACMA, and all around the world; in this dialogue, he reflects on his formative years, his studies with Helen Frankenthaler, and the spiritual depth of painting as a source of renewal, joy, and inner truth.

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Alexandra Nechita
Alexandra Nechita

We invite you into a conversation with Alexandra Nechita, cubist artist — the internationally celebrated painter once called “The Little Picasso” — a child prodigy who began drawing at just two years old and grew into a powerful artistic voice whose work has entered prestigious collections.

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Cristian Ianculescu
Cristian Ianculescu

Experience a thought-provoking conversation with Cris Ianculescu, a distinctive voice in contemporary art whose work bridges emotion, philosophy, and spiritual depth. In this exclusive interview, we explore the inner journey behind his creative process, the symbolism woven into his visual language, and the deeper questions that shape his artistic path.

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Saviana Stanescu
Saviana Stanescu

Saviana Stănescu, celebrated playwright, poet, and screenwriter, is a groundbreaking presence on New York’s theater stages and a leading voice in international contemporary theater. A Fulbright Scholar with two Master’s degrees—including Dramatic Writing from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she won the John Golden Award and taught for eight years—Saviana also holds a PhD in Theater from the University of Theater and Film in Bucharest. With fearless creativity and extraordinary talent, she transforms artistic moments into theatrical masterpieces performed worldwide. A dear childhood friend, Saviana has long been an inspiration, and today, she continues to captivate and inspire audiences across the globe.

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Cristina Bejan
Cristina Bejan

Cristina A. Bejan, Romanian-American historian, playwright, and award-winning poet, blends scholarship and artistry with a passion for cultural dialogue. A Rhodes and Fulbright Fellow with a PhD from Oxford, she teaches Holocaust studies at the University of Denver and has authored three acclaimed books, including Green Horses on the Walls and FINALLY QUIET: Four Plays from Bucharest to Washington, DC. Founder of Bucharest Inside the Beltway, Cristina celebrates Romanian diaspora culture while inspiring audiences worldwide. In this interview, she shares her extraordinary journey and creative vision.

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Gabriel Boie
Gabriel Boie

Gabriel Boie, a talented Romanian-born photographer based in Middleburg, Virginia, captures the timeless charm and storybook beauty of his historic town, just an hour from Washington, D.C. Known for its equestrian traditions, historic estates, and picturesque streets, Middleburg comes alive through Gabriel’s lens, where every image is a vivid, meticulously composed work of art. From misty streams and floating boats to polo matches and centuries-old trees, his photographs transform everyday scenes into enchanting visual narratives, celebrating the town’s elegance, color, and soul.

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Let’s Connect

If one of my artworks speaks to you, if you are curious to explore the art of cultivating happiness, if you would like to read one of my books, or if you are seeking guidance from a life coach, I would truly love to connect. It would be a pleasure to share this journey of art, growth, and inspiration with you.

    The Creative Process

    I stand before the white canvas and begin within the unknown — allowing the rhythm of my heart to guide the first movements of color across shifting dimensions. I explore emotions as they rise, uncovering quiet miracles hidden within. As an abstract artist, I let soft waves of pastel tones unfold freely, creating a space that invites reflection, beauty, and a life worth living and exploring.

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