“Earth Artist exploring the transcendent. Art created with earth and water”. With these words, David Popa defines himself on Instagram, encapsulating the essence of his work: a profound dialogue between art and nature, between humanity and the transcendent. In winter, when snow and ice dominate the northern landscapes, his creations find their most magical and poetic setting, becoming an invitation to reflect on the fleeting beauty of the world and our connection to it.

David Popa, a New York-born artist now based in Finland, has transformed the cold landscapes of Northern Europe into his art studio. His works, created on ice, rocks, and snow, are not mere paintings but acts of communion with nature. Using natural pigments like white chalk, ochres, and charcoal mixed with pure water, he creates monumental pieces that exist for only a brief moment before dissolving back into the earth. This fragility reflects the cycles of life and the inexorable passage of time.

Among his most captivating creations are those made on drifting sheets of ice. Picture the artist, armed with pigments and a precise vision, venturing onto surfaces that could shatter at any moment, turning the creative process into a delicate balance between risk and inspiration.

In his works, nature itself becomes his collaborator: the play of light on the ice, the wind scattering pigments, even birds leaving unpredictable marks—all become integral parts of the artwork. Every detail is a dialogue, an interaction that underscores how alive and dynamic art can be, much like the natural world that inspires it.

His works also carry a powerful ecological message. By using materials that do not harm the environment, Popa reminds us that we are part of something greater and that our actions leave a profound impact. For him, art becomes an act of respect and protection for the planet, an ode to the intrinsic beauty of nature.

Photos Courtesy of https://www.davidpopaart.com/fractured