Eugen Gorean: „Each painting is like the Olympics, you only have one chance”

Eugen Gorean, a young man originally from Chisinau, turned his passion for painting into a successful career. He began with plein air works and explored various artistic techniques, eventually focusing on watercolor. He participates in various international exhibitions and aims to further develop the watercolor technique, proudly representing his country at cultural events. "I think that it is vital for an artist to discover something new, to remain curious and to bring something, something new to his painting," says Eugen for Ziarul de Gardă.

„For an artist it is vital to discover something new”

He has a passion for art since childhood. As a college student, he realized that he wanted to develop particularly in this activity. Gradually, he turned his passion into a remarkable career. He says that if he hadn't become a painter, he would have been a winemaker. "Wine is as complicated as watercolor,” says Eugen.

The painter Eugen Gorean in his studio. Photo: personal archive

He was born in Chisinau, in a family of teachers. He studied at the College of Fine Arts „Alexandru Plămădeala” and later at the Academy of Music, Theater and Fine Arts in Chisinau. His artistic path was initially influenced by his teachers, but once he reached a certain level of maturity, he sought inspiration outside the usual boundaries. "It is natural for an artist to be influenced by his teachers. It was the same for me, but when you get to a certain level and even surpass the teacher, then you look elsewhere for inspiration. I began to be influenced early on by great internationally recognized watercolor artists. Later I exhibited together with them", says the painter.

At first he made outdoor works. They captured landscapes of different European countries. Over time, the topics addressed have diversified.

"The Sisters", painting by Eugen Gorean. Photo: personal archive

„I tried to develop other styles as well. During the pandemic, people disappeared from my painting and animals came instead. This laid the basis for a large series of paintings. I think that for an artist it is vital to discover something new, to remain curious and to bring something, something new to his painting”, says Eugen.

„It's very important to focus on what you have to do”

Although he experimented with various techniques, Eugen Gorean was particularly drawn to watercolor. Although it is difficult because of the impossibility of making corrections, it captivated him with its complexity. "I tried various techniques and this is the charm of professional studies, that you have the possibility to discover other techniques, other plastic languages. In some of them I still continue to work today, such as engraving, pastel, tempera, but I stayed at the moment to develop the watercolor technique. Initially, I found it difficult, which is probably what attracted me. It is a very sensitive, aristocratic environment. It's a combination of pigment, water and paper," the young man confesses. Each watercolor work is unique and represents a real challenge for the painter. "Technical corrections practically do not exist, therefore, every painting is like the Olympics, you only have one chance", says Eugen.

"A Venetian Story", painting made in the watercolor technique. Photo: personal archive

His sources of inspiration are different: travels, talks, visiting museums, books and movies. He admits that he sometimes has artistic blocks, but continues to work by changing the medium or the technique to find solutions. "It's natural to have some artistic blocks, but that's what makes the difference between an amateur and a professional artist. The amateur, when he has no inspiration, gets stuck. An artist continues to work because the work often draws inspiration and vice versa. When I don't know how to solve an artistic problem, I change the environment, the technique and this gives me an answer to the problem", says the painter. Although he also had difficult days, Eugen believes that in order to be successful, it is essential not to give up. "It's very important to focus on what you have to do," he says.

„I am proud to carry out this cultural diplomacy and represent the country with dignity"

The time required to complete a work varies depending on the size, technique and complexity of the idea. "The basis of my creation is the idea, the narrative, what this painting is about, what is the message conveyed. Then comes the technical part. But until you have a well-composed idea, it takes some time", says the young man. Eugen believes that fine art involves both challenges and satisfactions, the important thing being "to continue and put all your heart into this process".

Eugen Gorean had many memorable experiences. These include exhibiting works in a glass room in the middle of a rice field in China. He was also impressed to make 50 wine paintings as a "protocol gift for every European leader at the European Political Community Summit". „I was impressed to have as a guest at the opening of the personal exhibition in Guernsey the governor of the island, from the British royal family. I was equally impressed to exhibit in the European Parliament in Brussels”, recalls the painter.

„La Primavera”, painting made in the watercolor technique. Photo: personal archive

For Eugen Gorean, the future in watercolor art is full of unlimited possibilities. He aims to constantly develop and innovate the watercolor technique, always remaining open to new challenges. „I want to be able to develop this technique even further, because there are no limits in this regard. When I exhibit in exhibitions, biennales, festivals, I am proud to carry out this cultural diplomacy and represent the country with dignity”, he claims.