Catalina Novac

Joined Artfinder: April 2026

Artworks for sale: 7

United States

About Catalina Novac

 
 
  • Biography
    I am an artist drawn to the exploration of happiness, joy, and well-being, expressed through gentle, radiant abstract paintings. Studying at the Art League in Old Town Alexandria under the abstract artist John Blee, alongside my background—a Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Rochester, where I studied motivation and well-being—has shaped both the heart and motivation of my work. Guided by Self-Determination Theory, my paintings celebrate autonomy, competence, and relatedness, inviting viewers to pause, feel connected, and experience quiet joy. I am inspired by Artfinder’s dedication to original art and meaningful connections, and I hope my work can bring warmth, light, and a touch of happiness into everyday spaces.
  • Links
  • Education

    2001 - 2005

    University of Rochester

  • Awards

    2026

    The People's Artist - finalist-level candidate

    Officially in the running to be featured in Artforum Magazine, take home the $25,000 grand prize, and exhibit my work at The Art of Elysium’s Salon in Los Angeles.
  • Upcoming Events

    Upcoming events

    Event: ANIMA MUNDI 2026 — CONSCIOUSNESS

    Dates: 19 Jun 2026 - 3 Jul 2026

    Venue: Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello, Venice, Italy

    ITSLIQUID Group, in collaboration with ACIT Venice, sponsors CONSCIOUSNESS, the second appointment of ANIMA MUNDI 2026. This international exhibition, scheduled from June 19 to July 03, 2026, will be hosted within the prestigious 16th-century Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello and other historic Venetian locations and will feature an exclusive selection of worldwide talents, creating a dynamic dialogue between photography, painting, video art, sculpture, and performance art in the heart of Venice, during the 61st Venice Biennale of Art.

    As the city comes alive for the Venice Biennale of Art, ANIMA MUNDI 2026 invites artists to immerse themselves in Venice’s vibrant creative energy.

    Event: SENSES — International Art Fair
4th Edition 2026

    Dates: 5 Jun 2026 - 28 Jun 2026

    Venue: MUST – Museum of Contemporary Art, Lecce, Italy

    his prestigious exhibition, dedicated to photography, painting, video art, sculpture, and performance, will be hosted within the historic spaces of the MUST Museum, a prestigious cultural institution in Southern Italy. Scheduled to run from June 05 until June 28, 2026, the fair offers a unique opportunity for international talents to showcase their work in a setting of high institutional value, promoting a dialogue between contemporary research and the museum’s monumental heritage.
    SENSES International Art Fair will represent a unique occasion that brings together creatives from around the world in Salento, a charming and fascinating area, located at the extreme tip of Apulia, internationally known as a treasure of natural beauty, rich history, delicious food, and vibrant culture. Lecce, the capital of this region, stands as a Southern Italian jewel, where the profound spiritual power of its Baroque history and sun-kissed limestone buildings and churches resonates through its architec

    Event: ANIMA MUNDI 2026 — RITUALS

    Dates: 20 May 2026 - 4 Jun 2026

    Venue: Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello, Venice, Italy

    TSLIQUID Group, in collaboration with ACIT Venice, is proud to announce this international exhibition, scheduled from May 20 to June 04, 2026, will be hosted within the prestigious 16th-century Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello and other historic Venetian locations and will feature an exclusive selection of worldwide talents, creating a dynamic dialogue between photography, painting, video art, sculpture, and performance art in the heart of Venice, during the 61st Venice Biennale of Art.

    As the city comes alive for the Venice Biennale of Art, ANIMA MUNDI 2026 invites artists to immerse themselves in Venice’s vibrant creative energy.

    Event: TRACE

    Dates: 9 May 2026 - 9 Jun 2026

    Venue: https://pixelauragallery.com/pages/previous-exhibitions, online

    https://pixelauragallery.com/pages/previous-exhibitions

    Show previous events Hide previous events

    Previous events

    Event: Venice International Art Festival

    Dates: 16 Apr 2026 - 30 Apr 2026

    Venue: Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello, Venice, Italy

    The 24th edition of the Venice International Art Fair 2026, organized by ITSLIQUID Group in collaboration with ACIT Venice: from April 17 to April 30, 2026.
    Hosted at the historic 16th-century Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello and other prestigious Venetian venues, the exhibition brings together international artists across photography, painting, video art, sculpture, and performance, creating a vibrant and dynamic artistic dialogue in the heart of Venice.

Links


Education

2001 - 2005

University of Rochester


Awards

2026

The People's Artist - finalist-level candidate

Officially in the running to be featured in Artforum Magazine, take home the $25,000 grand prize, and exhibit my work at The Art of Elysium’s Salon in Los Angeles.

Upcoming events

Event: ANIMA MUNDI 2026 — CONSCIOUSNESS

Dates: 19 Jun 2026 - 3 Jul 2026

Venue: Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello, Venice, Italy

ITSLIQUID Group, in collaboration with ACIT Venice, sponsors CONSCIOUSNESS, the second appointment of ANIMA MUNDI 2026. This international exhibition, scheduled from June 19 to July 03, 2026, will be hosted within the prestigious 16th-century Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello and other historic Venetian locations and will feature an exclusive selection of worldwide talents, creating a dynamic dialogue between photography, painting, video art, sculpture, and performance art in the heart of Venice, during the 61st Venice Biennale of Art.

As the city comes alive for the Venice Biennale of Art, ANIMA MUNDI 2026 invites artists to immerse themselves in Venice’s vibrant creative energy.

Event: SENSES — International Art Fair
4th Edition 2026

Dates: 5 Jun 2026 - 28 Jun 2026

Venue: MUST – Museum of Contemporary Art, Lecce, Italy

his prestigious exhibition, dedicated to photography, painting, video art, sculpture, and performance, will be hosted within the historic spaces of the MUST Museum, a prestigious cultural institution in Southern Italy. Scheduled to run from June 05 until June 28, 2026, the fair offers a unique opportunity for international talents to showcase their work in a setting of high institutional value, promoting a dialogue between contemporary research and the museum’s monumental heritage.
SENSES International Art Fair will represent a unique occasion that brings together creatives from around the world in Salento, a charming and fascinating area, located at the extreme tip of Apulia, internationally known as a treasure of natural beauty, rich history, delicious food, and vibrant culture. Lecce, the capital of this region, stands as a Southern Italian jewel, where the profound spiritual power of its Baroque history and sun-kissed limestone buildings and churches resonates through its architec

Event: ANIMA MUNDI 2026 — RITUALS

Dates: 20 May 2026 - 4 Jun 2026

Venue: Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello, Venice, Italy

TSLIQUID Group, in collaboration with ACIT Venice, is proud to announce this international exhibition, scheduled from May 20 to June 04, 2026, will be hosted within the prestigious 16th-century Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello and other historic Venetian locations and will feature an exclusive selection of worldwide talents, creating a dynamic dialogue between photography, painting, video art, sculpture, and performance art in the heart of Venice, during the 61st Venice Biennale of Art.

As the city comes alive for the Venice Biennale of Art, ANIMA MUNDI 2026 invites artists to immerse themselves in Venice’s vibrant creative energy.

Event: TRACE

Dates: 9 May 2026 - 9 Jun 2026

Venue: https://pixelauragallery.com/pages/previous-exhibitions, online

https://pixelauragallery.com/pages/previous-exhibitions

Show previous events Hide previous events

Previous events

Event: Venice International Art Festival

Dates: 16 Apr 2026 - 30 Apr 2026

Venue: Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello, Venice, Italy

The 24th edition of the Venice International Art Fair 2026, organized by ITSLIQUID Group in collaboration with ACIT Venice: from April 17 to April 30, 2026.
Hosted at the historic 16th-century Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello and other prestigious Venetian venues, the exhibition brings together international artists across photography, painting, video art, sculpture, and performance, creating a vibrant and dynamic artistic dialogue in the heart of Venice.


 

Biography

I am an artist drawn to the exploration of happiness, joy, and well-being, expressed through gentle, radiant abstract paintings. Studying at the Art League in Old Town Alexandria under the abstract artist John Blee, alongside my background—a Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Rochester, where I studied motivation and well-being—has shaped both the heart and motivation of my work. Guided by Self-Determination Theory, my paintings celebrate autonomy, competence, and relatedness, inviting viewers to pause, feel connected, and experience quiet joy. I am inspired by Artfinder’s dedication to original art and meaningful connections, and I hope my work can bring warmth, light, and a touch of happiness into everyday spaces.