Welcome to an interview with Dina Klumbys, an artist whose work transcends the visual to touch the soul. Dina's journey is one of profound transformation, where personal healing blossomed into vibrant artistic expression. Through her unique blend of contemporary art and heartfelt animal portraiture, she invites viewers to find moments of calm, connection, and deep introspection. Join us as Dina shares insights into her creative process, the universal language of emotion in her art, and the personal milestones that have shaped her remarkable career.
Dina, could you please tell us when and how you first realized that art was your calling?
Not long ago, I was in poor health – physically and emotionally. I had to step away from my job as a teaching assistant, unsure of what was next. That space felt empty at first, but it slowly became sacred. Through meditation and yoga, I’ve learned to slow down, breathe deeply, and find peace within. What one felt chaotic now feels more manageable. I’m more present, more grateful, and more aligned with my inner self. This isn’t just a practice – it’s a way of living. Meditation and yoga taught me to be still, to listen, and to breathe. In that silence, I found clarity – and with that clarity came colours. I picked up the brush and began to paint. Now each stroke on canvas feels like an extension of my soul. What began as healing became expression. What began within now lives outside me, in art.
You masterfully combine contemporary art with animal portraits. What attracts you to this unique combination, and how do you manage to harmoniously merge abstract forms with detailed animalistic painting?
Through contemporary art, I express my own inner world—emotions, memories, and the quiet shifts that come with healing. It allows me to express emotion freely, without needing to explain it. It’s where I process what can’t be said in words.
Animal portraiture, on the other hand, lets me turn my gaze outward. Through it, I reflect the emotional depth in the beings we share this world with. It’s my way of honoring the emotional intelligence of animals—their presence, their dignity, their softness, and their strength. I paint them not just as subjects, but as sentient beings with inner lives, just like us.
Together, these two styles form a dialogue: one inward, one outward; one asking, one offering. In every painting, I seek connection—between self and spirit, human and animal, viewer and feeling.
Your animal portraits demonstrate impeccable skill. What inspires you when creating these portraits? Do you have favorite animals that you depict most often?
Animal portraiture is where my heart lives. I’ve always felt a deep, almost unspoken connection to animals. They’ve been a constant in my life, offering presence, comfort, and a sense of being understood without needing words. I see animals not just as companions, but as equals: wise and emotionally rich. When I paint them, I try to capture that inner world—their soul, their dignity. Each portrait is a tribute, not just to an individual animal, but to the shared emotional space between species. I believe animals feel deeply, just as we do.
Dogs are my favorite subject to paint. I share my life with three of them, and they’ve taught me more about loyalty and unconditional love than words ever could. When I capture them on canvas, I aim to reflect not just their likeness, but their soul—the way they look at us, the emotions they carry.
Your art invites viewers to meditative contemplation. What emotions or thoughts do you hope to evoke in people who observe your work?
I want people to feel not noise or complexity, but calm. A moment of pause. A breath. A connection—to themselves, to the subject, to something more essential. My work isn’t about answers; it’s about awareness. It’s a place where you don’t have to explain what you feel, only feel it more deeply. If my painting reminds someone to return to their breath, to their body, to their heart—even for a moment—then I’ve shared something true.
I don’t seek perfection or control in my process. I allow intuition to guide me, much like in meditation, where we observe without judgment. There’s so much darkness around us—in the world, in our daily lives, and sometimes within ourselves. Through my art, I want to offer something different: a moment of light. A sense of peace. A reminder that even in silence, there is softness and strength.
You are a participant in the Woman’s Essence Show London 2025 and a laureate of the Top 60 Masters Awards. How have these international recognitions influenced your creative journey and worldview?
Over time, my work has received recognition through several international awards. While I’m deeply grateful for this external acknowledgment, it has also shifted something internal. These honors didn’t change why I create—but they deepened my belief in the power of vulnerability and authenticity. To have my art resonate with people across cultures and continents has shown me that emotion is universal. We may come from different places, but we all seek meaning, connection, and healing.
Your works are regularly published in renowned publications such as Contemporary Art Station, Master Artists to Collect, and Art Tour International Magazine. How important is it for you to be featured in international art publications, and how does it contribute to the development of your career?
Being published internationally puts your work in front of a broader audience—curators, galleries, collectors, and fellow artists. It signals that your art has universal resonance, which builds credibility in the art world. Art isn’t just visual; it’s communication. International publications give you a platform to share your story, philosophy, and process. This deeper connection helps people understand the “why” behind your work, making it more impactful and memorable.
Among your many prestigious awards, which one is the most significant to you, and why?
Receiving the Top 60 Masters Award is more than just professional recognition; it’s a deeply personal and emotional milestone. This award honors not only my work as an artist but also the journey, sacrifice, and passion that brought me here. Behind every brushstroke, every late night, and every moment of doubt, there has been a quiet, unwavering source of strength: my two daughters.
Their understanding, patience, and support gave me the space to pursue my vision, even when it meant time apart or emotional ups and downs. They believed in me, even when I struggled to believe in myself. This recognition is not mine alone; it belongs to them too. Their love has been the foundation beneath every piece I’ve created. They’ve seen the process, the persistence, and never asked me to be anything other than who I truly am.
Apart from exhibitions and publications, what other ways of promoting your art do you consider the most effective?
Your online home is a website, which should include your bio, artist statement, and gallery. Instagram is still one of the best platforms for visual artists. Use it to show your process, finished work, and studio. Engage with other artists by commenting, sharing, and connecting. The art world thrives on community.
How does your creative process unfold — from the initial ideas to the final stages of your work?
My creative process lives at the intersection of emotions, movement, and connections. Whether I’m working on contemporary pieces or detailed animal portraiture, each painting begins not with a plan, but with a feeling.
In my contemporary works, I allow intuition to guide me. I experiment with texture, layering, and—more recently—line painting as a way to build rhythm and tension. These works often evolve organically, shaped by mood, energy, and the unspoken. I don’t aim to represent the world exactly as it is, but to translate what I feel into visual form. Color and form are my language; each mark is a moment captured in motion.
When it comes to animal portraiture, the process becomes quieter and more intentional. I’m not simply painting a likeness—I’m capturing spirit. Their eyes hold entire worlds. I study their posture, their strength, their vulnerability. My goal is to honor their presence, and in doing so, reflect something deeply human as well.
In both styles, my process is deeply layered—emotionally and physically. I build surfaces slowly, allowing time for reflection, for stepping back, and for allowing the work to speak back to me. At times, I include affirmations instead of titles, letting the painting carry not just the image, but intention.
Art, for me, is not just about what’s seen—it’s about what’s felt. My work seeks to connect, to comfort, and to remind us of the beauty and resilience that exists both in nature and within ourselves.
Which of your projects or artworks do you consider the most significant for yourself? Why?
Among all the pieces I’ve created, my horse portrait, titled “Strength,” holds a place closest to my heart. This artwork is more than just a portrait—it’s a symbol of resilience, power, and silent determination. Horses have long represented inner strength and grace, but this particular piece carries my own personal story woven into every brushstroke.
“Strength” was born during a time of challenge and transformation. As I painted, I wasn’t just capturing the form of a horse—I was painting through my own emotions: moments of exhaustion, perseverance, and ultimately, rising again. The bold lines, the deep gaze, the sense of motion frozen in stillness—all reflect a journey of standing tall in the face of difficulty.
What new directions or experiments do you plan to explore in your art in the near future?
As an artist, I believe evolution is essential. Lately, I’ve been exploring new directions in my creative process, particularly through the introduction of line painting. This shift isn’t just about technique; it’s about finding a new visual language, one that adds structure, rhythm, and energy to my work.
Lines have a quiet power. They can guide the viewer’s eye, suggest movement, or define space without filling it. In my recent pieces, I’ve begun weaving lines into the composition—sometimes bold and intentional, sometimes delicate and intuitive. They act like threads, connecting elements of color, form, and emotion in ways that feel fresh and alive.
In this new direction, I’ve chosen not to title my paintings in the traditional sense. Instead, each piece carries an affirmation—a quiet offering to the viewer. These affirmations are not instructions, but invitations. They reflect the energy behind the work, the internal space I was in when creating it.
What does it mean to you to be an artist today, in the modern world?
Being an artist in the modern world means more than just creating beautiful work – it means being awake, connected, and courageously expressive in a complex, fast-moving society. Artists today are no longer just painters or sculptors; they are also digital creators, storytellers, and influencers.
In the modern world, artists have unprecedented access to tools and platforms. Creativity is no longer limited by geography or expensive materials. While more people are calling themselves artists today, making a sustainable living remains a challenge. Many artists have to juggle multiple roles—freelancing, teaching, doing commissions, or managing online shops. The need to “sell” can sometimes clash with personal vision, forcing artists to find a delicate balance between passion and profit.
