Stefania Nistoreanu is a painter and crypto art pioneer. Born with an innate passion for color and form, Stefania started painting when she was 13. Her work has been exhibited in art galleries and festivals throughout Europe.
In 2017, she became one of the very first artists in the world to sell a painting with Bitcoin. A Hong Kong art collector bought Nistoreanu’s painting “Cryptsy” for 2 Bitcoin. The event left an indelible mark on both the art world and the cryptocurrency market and gained media coverage around the world.
Stefania resides in Oviedo, Spain, with her fiancé and their dog and cats.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I have periods of routine and times when I like to act spontaneously and do things differently, so my typical day varies depending on that. But my days tend to start later in the morning and the first thing I do is take care of my cats and dog. We go for a walk and play in the garden.
Then I have some strong, unsweetened black or green tea, check my email and social media, and go through my agenda. Once I do that, I disconnect from devices completely and work at my easel until after lunch.
I’ve learned that I don’t have to make a day productive. In fact, the more I try to be productive, the less I am. If I’m calm and focused, if I breathe right and decide on my priorities for the day, everything falls into place. Sure, sometimes things don’t work out. When that happens, it’s best to give up and wait. Have you noticed how some of our best ideas strike us when we’re idle?
Somewhere after 2:00 p.m., I have my first meal – a good, substantial, quality meal. Then I mentally organize the rest of my day while handling small household chores. After that I usually go back into my workshop. In the evening, if I have time and energy, I work out, relax, do research for my next painting, or just allow my mind to wander. Bedtime is pretty late.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Most of the time, it’s through study and work. When I sense that I have a good idea, I start researching, experimenting, and making connections. That’s how a good sketch can be born, and from there I can further build the story of a new piece.
We’re vehicles that propel good ideas to life, so what’s important is that we capture those thoughts and explore them. In my case, that involves a lot of work! I cherish spontaneity but I also want to elevate my thinking so I can reach a higher meaning and purpose. I’m meticulous and obsessed with harmony and balance. And when you’re obsessed, it’s harder to get there.
Of course, sometimes, a great idea is both spontaneous and ready to materialize itself in its pure, naked, raw form. But how often does that happen?
What’s one trend that excites you?
Most trends don’t excite or inspire me, some downright disturb me. But one I like is that a lot of people seem to experience a sort of awakening and are seeking a more minimal, simpler life. They want to live cleaner, closer to nature, and close to their human nature.
I hope this trend sticks so it can bring the world back into balance. We need truth in our lives.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Retreating into complete silence, alone with myself. That’s when I can hear, listen, find myself, and create. Other than that, being disciplined and striving to have a peaceful life keeps me productive.
During critical moments, I reset myself by spending a lot of time out in nature or with my fiance.
What advice would you give your younger self?
To not be afraid of anything. Fear can be fatal, it’s the source of all misfortunes. Also, I’d tell myself to sleep less and work much more. Seize the opportunity, don’t miss those windows, and enjoy every moment because it’s unique and perfect.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
Something I believe that almost nobody agrees with me on is that there’s no set of steps you have to follow to achieve success. Our path can be so atypical, and we can set ourselves back if we’re too fixated on the process. The more fluid and flexible we are, the more aware we become of opportunity.
Also, just a thought: do we really have to “get there”? Is success our purpose? I wonder about that a lot.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I got into the habit of being mindful of how I breathe, and that helps anytime, but especially in times of stress. There’s a daily exercise that I recommend to everyone. It’s simple: inhale while counting to four, then count to four and exhale. Do that repeatedly until you feel your breath stabilizing. This exercise brings calm and clarity, and it always helps me feel more positive and motivated.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I try to anticipate the episode and avoid it, but when I can’t, I stop and do the most natural thing I learned from animals: I lie down and lick my wounds until I recover. I listen to music, dance, make love, eat well, and sleep. That’s how I heal and find my focus and energy again.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Associating with the crypto world and becoming one of the pioneers of crypto art. I started selling my paintings for bitcoin years ago, when the industry was just starting to grow. That brought me notoriety and increased the value of my work.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
There are quite a few, and there probably will be more. I’ve learned that you’re never in control, you can just do your best so you won’t regret not trying. Be content with that and accept where you are right now.
I had a period when I bet everything on an idea, focused all my efforts and resources in that direction, only on one market, and it was the wrong choice. It might have held me back for a few years, but I learned that you have to think holistically, not be stubborn, have a broad vision, and be willing to try new things.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I’m not the best at business ideas, but there seems to be an increasing need for storage spaces. From micro-spaces for tiny objects to bunkers, all can become successful businesses. It depends on how much each is willing and able to invest. And of course, investing in art can be extremely profitable, but I advise you to invest with your heart, not under the influence of experts.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Email. That’s where I organize things, set my agenda, prioritize, negotiate contracts. I don’t have an extraordinary relationship with other platforms; it seems I’m old-fashioned.
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
I recently got some new painting materials. It was more than $100, but that money is always well-spent when I use it for my art. Also, a large and beautiful hourglass I got from France. I use it when I work or exercise. We all have the pressure of time, but I can try to measure it differently. It’s more poetic, and it’s a beautiful and inspiring decor piece.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
There’s a fantastic book that I revisit over and over, and I always learn new things from it. It’s called “The Iron Ninja,” and it’s written by the world-renowned Ninjitsu expert Ashida Kim.
It’s a manual of breathing techniques that helps you evolve in all aspects. At the end, if you pass all the stages, it even promises immortality.
Every time I feel adrift, I reread this book. It’s so motivational. It corrects you, makes you understand exactly where you stand, and reminds you that everything is possible. You have to find your direction, shake off the dust, and go into battle.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
There are two movies I enjoyed a lot lately: “Air,” the story of Nike, Sonny Vaccaro, and Michael Jordan. It captures a time in our contemporary culture that revolutionized the world of sports and left a huge mark on society as a whole.
The second one is “Jeanne du Barry,” a historical and biographical movie with Johnny Depp. The main character, Jeanne, is the famous mistress of Louis XV. She revolutionized the way of living at the time, fashion, and the customs at Versailles.
Key learnings:
- We’re vehicles that propel good ideas to life, so what’s important is that we capture those thoughts and explore them.
- There’s no set of steps you have to follow to achieve success. Our path can be so atypical, and we can set ourselves back if we’re too fixated on the process.
- Enjoy every moment because it’s unique and perfect.
Carlyn runs the day-to-day publishing operation here at ideamensch and interacts with our awesome customers and entrepreneurs. She is likely editing this with a cat on her lap.