How our Artist of the Month Irena Uses Layers to Reveal Stories in her Flag Art

We are excited to start a new series of interviews as part of our Artist of the Month program! This initiative by the Women in Arts Network celebrates exceptional talent across various creative disciplines, offering artists a global platform to showcase their work. The program fosters a vibrant community of creators, providing invaluable opportunities for growth, recognition, and connection.

Our very first Artist of the Month for February is the incredibly talented mixed-media artist Irena. Known for her unique blend of acrylic paints, colored pencils, and distinctive scratching techniques, Irena’s work explores powerful themes of identity, resilience, and transformation. In this interview, she takes us inside her creative process, sharing how she combines traditional hand-painting with digital elements to create multilayered artworks. We also learn about her stunning flag paintings, which capture the essence of cultural identity and personal connections through vibrant colors and symbolic imagery.

This interview offers a deeper understanding of Irena’s creative philosophy, the meaningful custom pieces she creates, and how being recognized as Artist of the Month has opened new doors in her creative journey. We are thrilled to share her story and hope you enjoy discovering the inspiration behind her marvelous art.

I am a mixed-media artist specializing in multilayered techniques that blend acrylic paints, colored pencils, and the last black scratched layer. My work explores themes of duality, resilience, and human emotion, using texture and color to tell layered visual narratives. Each piece is a fusion of storytelling and fine art, where embedded words and intricate details invite deeper engagement. My recent works focus on figures and symbols representing strength, personal history, and transformation.

1. Irena, your paintings blend flags with vibrant color and emotion. What inspired you to create such unique interpretations of flags?  

Flags are more than just national symbols—they represent identity, heritage, and deep personal connections. Many people who order my flag paintings live far from their homeland, and for them, the flag becomes a thread that ties them to their roots. It’s a reminder of where they come from, of family, history, and belonging. In a world where people migrate, adapt, and merge cultures, flags hold an emotional significance that goes beyond borders. When I paint flags, I use vibrant colors and blended layers, serving an aesthetic and symbolic purpose. I love experimenting with color interactions and watching how they play and transform each other. But beyond that, the blending of colors represents something deeper—how traditions, identities, and cultures mix over time.

Boundaries exist, yet they are fluid. People carry their heritage with them, shaping new identities while holding onto their past. In today’s globalized world, we don’t have to travel to be part of cultural exchange; social media itself is like a vast country where identities mix and evolve. My flag paintings reflect this idea—not as a judgment but as an observation. While borders may shift and identities may blend, I highlight this reality’s bright, vibrant side. I want my flag paintings to evoke only positive emotions—a celebration of diversity, connection, and the beautiful ways in which our stories intertwine.

I am particularly drawn to themes of duality, where moments of struggle and beauty, chaos and order, light and darkness, exist in harmony.

Irena

2. The technique you use, combining hand painting with digitalization, gives your work a special touch. How did you develop this process, and what does it add to your art?  

I developed my technique through experimentation, combining traditional hand-painting with digital elements to create multilayered, textured compositions. My process begins with acrylic paint and colored pencils, where I build depth through layers of color and texture. Then, I use digital tools to refine or enhance certain aspects, adding another dimension to the work. This fusion allows me to push the boundaries of traditional painting, creating a dynamic interplay between the physical and digital realms. It gives my artwork a unique touch—preserving the raw, expressive energy of hand-painted textures while incorporating the precision and versatility of digital techniques. This process is not just about aesthetics; it reflects how art and identity evolve in a constantly changing world. Just as cultures, traditions, and personal stories blend over time, my technique mirrors this transformation—merging the tactile authenticity of painting with the endless possibilities of digital exploration.

3.  Your work speaks to the identity and culture of each flag. How do you approach capturing the essence of a country through its flag?  

Capturing the essence of a country through its flag is a deeply layered process—both literally and symbolically. I use a multilayered technique in my paintings because every nation is shaped by complex social, cultural, political, historical, and religious influences. Just like a country’s identity, my artwork is built in stages: I begin with painting, add details with colored pencils, seal the surface with wax, cover it with a final black layer, and then carefully scratch away portions of that layer. This process reveals hidden textures and depths, much like uncovering the intricate layers of a nation’s history and identity. Before creating a flag painting, I immerse myself in the country’s history, symbolism, and cultural significance.

Every color, emblem, and design element holds meaning, so while I make an artistic interpretation, I also ensure the flag remains recognizable and true to its essence. I often incorporate gold into my flag paintings because of its timeless quality—it symbolizes prosperity, heritage, and the richness of a nation’s culture. This approach aims to give people more than just a flag; I want them to feel the depth, history, and emotions that connect them to their homeland or heritage.

4.  You offer custom orders, including combining multiple flags. Can you tell us about a memorable custom piece you’ve created and its significance? 

I love creating custom flag paintings, especially when combining multiple flags. These pieces take longer, but the process and the final result are always worth it. The idea of merging two or more flags is powerful—it symbolizes unity, connection, and shared identity. Each commission presents a challenge, but at the same time, it offers endless creative possibilities to craft something truly unique. What makes these paintings so meaningful isn’t just the design but the personal stories behind them.

One of the most memorable custom orders I’ve worked on was a piece that combined 17 different flags into one composition. It was a special gift for a team member working in the immigration department—a tribute to the diverse backgrounds and nationalities they had encountered. This painting wasn’t just about flags but about the people they represented, the journeys they took, and the bonds they formed. These custom pieces remind me that flags are more than symbols of nations—they are deeply personal, representing heritage, belonging, and the ties that connect us across borders.

My work invites viewers to engage beyond the surface, discovering hidden details that reveal themselves over time.

Irena

5.  How do you balance the contrasts in your artwork while creating harmony and unity in each piece? 

Balancing contrast while maintaining harmony is one of the most intriguing aspects of my creative process. Flags naturally contain strong contrasts—bold, primary colors placed side by side to make a striking visual impact. This inherent sharpness is both a challenge and an opportunity. To create balance, I introduce additional colors that soften the intensity and blend the rigid shapes into a more fluid composition. It’s a process of finding equilibrium—allowing the original flag design to remain recognizable while enhancing its depth and visual rhythm. This approach turns my artwork into a dialogue between structure and expression. The contrast is always present, but by carefully layering and blending colors, I create a sense of unity, making the flags feel more organic and interconnected rather than static symbols. It’s a continuous exploration of how colors interact, challenge, and complement one another—just like the cultures and identities these flags represent.

6. Congratulations on being featured as Artist of the Month by the Women In Arts Network! How do you think opportunities like this help elevate your career and open new doors for your creative journey?  

Thank you! Being recognized as Artist of the Month by the Women In Arts Network is a great honor. Opportunities like this provide invaluable exposure, allowing my work to reach new audiences and connect with fellow artists and art enthusiasts who resonate with my creative vision. Beyond visibility, these features open doors to new collaborations, exhibitions, and creative projects. They give me a platform to share the deeper meaning behind my art—how I explore identity, culture, and connection through multilayered techniques. Most importantly, recognition like this fuels my artistic journey. It inspires me to keep pushing boundaries, experimenting with new ideas, and telling stories that bridge people and cultures. It’s a reminder that art has the power to connect, start conversations, and create lasting impact.

Irena’s work is a beautiful exploration of identity, heritage, and the emotional depth behind symbols like flags. Through her unique combination of hand-painting and digital techniques, she creates artworks that go beyond the visual, inviting viewers to engage with the deeper layers of her storytelling. As our Artist of the Month, Irena’s journey reflects the power of art to bridge cultures and evoke profound emotions. Her story reminds us that creativity has no boundaries and that art is an ever-evolving dialogue that connects us all. To learn more about Irena, visit the links below.