Clara Berta shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Clara, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I start my day with morning meditation at 6:40 a.m. on a Zoom call with my Space for Grace group, which is through the Oneness Movement. I am so grateful for the support and love I receive from them daily. In fact, I will be attending Field of Awakening “Beyond the Mind” on Sept. 24th – 28th in Westlake Village.
I love my healthy smoothie and then I start thinking about the rest of my day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Clara Berta is a Hungarian-American contemporary abstract painter based in Laguna Beach, California, USA. She has been practicing art since 2000 and has become known for her large-scale paintings that embody the vibrancy and tranquility of the natural world through her use of organic forms and layering of harmonious colors.
The dynamic movement and restorative potential of water are an enduring source of inspiration for Berta. Water draws a connection between her heritage in Hungary, where thermal springs are known for their healing properties, and the power and majesty of the ocean that her works conjure.
With an academic background in psychology, Berta is fascinated by the human emotional response to color and abstract forms. In her work, she recognizes the transformative power of art and its potential for self-expression. These are the central themes of her teachings as an art educator and her creative workshops for women. The physical process of creating her large paintings also ties in with her interest in movement and the body and traces a lineage to her earlier exploration of performance art.
Berta studied advanced composition and technique at the Santa Reparata School of Art in Florence, Italy, and printmaking in the US. Her paintings have been exhibited and collected worldwide, including in Europe, China, Dubai, and notably at the Chiba City Museum of Art in Japan. Her work has been featured in high-profile film and television productions on prominent networks such as Disney, 20th Century Fox, ABC, and CBS.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I realized later in life that I am powerful and I can accomplish so much more than I thought. I have learned to let go of old beliefs and embrace the new me as I have grown as a person and also evolved as an artist. I love expanding and learning.;
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Definitely the loss of my late husband back twenty years ago, and now the loss of my fiancé. These were major wounds as my heart needed to heal. I found my art practice has helped me a great deal and then now in the last two years my morning meditation group has been a huge support and loving. I learned to practice journaling, writing my story and have been gathering stories to write a book.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
I like to keep my word; I feel that is an important virtue to maintain. I find that many people, at times, are unable to keep their word. That’s something I learned from my parents, especially my father. So I am very grateful for these important lessons in life.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I am pleased to share that I have made a positive impact with my abstract artworks. Also, I completed my International Certification for Art4Healing program. They are making an impact on the senior community in Laguna Beach and the surrounding areas. I am currently expanding these workshops. I am now ready to help my community give pain a voice through facilitating Art4Healing Workshops.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://claraberta.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarabertaart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claraberta/
- Twitter: https://x.com/ClaraBertaArt
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClaraBertaArt
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/clara-berta-laguna-beach
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@clarabertaart
Image Credits
Headshot photo credit:: Rick Mendoza
