Painters will not just be famous after their deaths We visited painter GBeaArt and the Artiszt Wine & Spirit Bar in Eger

Eger is called spa town, the city of medicinal waters, the city of wines, Church centre, college town, the city of heroism, but it can be justly proud of its artists as well. Bea Galambos is originally from Hangony, she is a professional economist and worked in public administration for several years, but her life changed and she moved to Eger. She has always been attracted by this pearl of northern Hungary, and maybe it was the city milieu, the atmosphere inspired by small baroque streets, cafes, restaurants to bring her true love: painting. We asked her about her rebirth.

When did you decide to take up the brush?

There were three periods in my life when painting has popped in, the first one 15 years ago, when I prepared three of my paintings for decorative purposes, however this was only a small “flash” in my life. That moment was good for getting to know the materials. Next, there was a longer pause. Five years ago, when my friend Csilla Dósa, who is also a painter, gave me a Munkácsy brush as a gift, I tried painting again, but the turning point arrived about two and a half years ago. I felt again that I had to grab a brush, which is how I painted five paintings. I received a lot of positive feedback, which was quite motivating, so I have been painting continuously for two years. I have my own style, I found my own way.

When and where does inspiration come from?

I love taking photographs, wherever I go in the world, while travelling, walking in the city, a colour scheme fascinates me, or I see interesting pictures on the internet like a characteristic face, as I mostly paint portraits. Using technology I compose and edit the pictures, next come the colours. I usually paint large paintings of about one square metre, therefore I make a sketch on the canvas beforehand to maintain proportions.

Why did you choose the Ethno style?

I love colours, their relationship to each other and their expressive ability, contrasts, and I also adore the culture of various nations. The authentic clothing of a Peruvian, Turkish or Indian woman, their hair ornaments let me take advantage of the colours. I love playing with various techniques, many of my paintings are a bit embossed, I use quite extreme tools, such as a sponge in order to reach a blurred effect, and the colours are mixed together creating a wonderful flower for example.

Is there another artist in your family?

No, there isn’t. My mother is skilled with her hands, maybe I inherited this from her. I can’t say that I already wanted to be a painted as a child. Although I was the best at drawing in school, and I was sent to contests, it didn’t have any relevance. I started painting as a hobby, and my mum even warned me: “You know that painters will only be famous after they die?”, she asked me. But today she is very proud of me as a painter.

How did the bar and the art find each other?

As its name suggests, Artiszt Wine & Spirit is committed to the promotion of art. The bar itself has got a special style, a bit eclectic, but at the same time elegant, in addition it is a dog-friendly place, where more than 110 types of drinks, wine and Italian coffee is included in the list of beverages. But it is also possible to buy some of the artworks exhibited here made by contemporary artists living in Eger and its surroundings. In the heart of Eger, one of the elegant Art Nouveau buildings in the popular pedestrian mall serves as background to my paintings, bringing them to life and making them part of the cavalcade of the historic downtown.