About me

Smiljana Petranović Bajić, 1979, Novi Sad, Serbia. Abstract Artist based in Niagara Falls, Canada

I attended art school in Serbia, Croatia, and Italy. I focused on painting during my studies, but I also minored in fashion design.

My paintings are abstract expressionism, with very dominant colors, textures, and layers. The story behind my art is made of emotions, music, and memories.

When I'm creating my art, I listen to music that feels good at that moment in time and I let my emotions pour out onto the canvas. Sometimes I listen to the same music for a very long time, while other times, I'll stay in that headspace for just a day.

The techniques I use are acrylic, ink, with various media for texturing.

You might be wondering how to look at my paintings. What is the correct way? From whichever side you like at that given moment. That's the right side. I want everyone to have their own perception of my paintings because I too see them differently each day.

I paint because it fulfills me, while giving me an outlet at the same time. When I feel sad, nervous, or dull, it gives me relief. On the other hand, when I'm overjoyed, I want to immortalize that feeling. I want to give you, my audience, something to look at and find meaning, any meaning, the important thing is for you to find it … at least for that day, tomorrow, you can look for it again, for something else … happiness, fulfillment, sadness, vanity, passion …

Whatever you find in my paintings, I hope it's just what you needed that day because that's what art gives me and I hope to share that gift with you.

My education

1994-1996 High-School for visual art and design “Bogdan Suput” Novi Sad, Serbia

1996-1998 Secondary school of Applied Arts and Design, Pula, Croatia

1998-1999 Art Academy “Accademia di belle arti Venezia” (Fine Painting) Venice, Italy

2001-2004 University in Zagreb “Faculty of Textile and Technology” (Fashion design), Zagreb, Croatia

My exhibition

1996 Group exhibition in Novi Sad, Serbia. “Museum of modern art”

1998 Group for making scenography for “Regnum novum” Theatre exhibition in Pula, Croatia. “Istrian national theatre”

1999 group exhibition “Grizia” Rovinj, Croatia.

2000 group exhibition “Grizia” Rovinj, Croatia.

2000 group exhibition “B2 Galery” Rovinj, Croatia.

2008 Mural in “Turbo Limac” kids store in Belgrade, Serbia.

2023 Group exhibition “Grimsby public art Gallery” Ontario, Canada.

2024 Group exhibition “Northern Contemporary Gallery” Toronto, Canada.

2024 Solo exhibition “Rosberg Art Gallery” Niagara Falls, Canada.

2024 Group exhibition “Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre” Niagara on the Lake, Canada

2024 Solo exhibition “Smiljana Art Gallery” Chippawa, Canada

2024 “Perseus”art gallery NYC,NY USA

2024 “Cotton factory “art fair Hamilton Canada

2024″Exenge”group exhibition Niagara Falls Canada

2024 “Art crawl”St. Catherine Canada

2024 Exchange” solo exhibition Niagara falls Canada

Upcoming

2025 "Northern Contemporary" Art gallery solo exhibition Toronto Canada