Interview with Carolina Eban

It’s funny how I first met Carolina. It was November or December of 2019, and I was roaming the streets of Verona in the evening. I didn’t know anyone there, I had no friends, and at the time I had a particular fascination for wigs. Blue, blonde, brown, pink, black, long, short, you name it, I had it. That night I passed by a wig store by chance, and at first I walked past it, but then something pulled me in to go inside. I was trying on a brown realistic wig (I had short blonde hair at the time), and that particular evening Carolina was there too (she had even shorter brown hair). We wanted to try on the same wig, so the seller invited us upstairs to the mirrors to take our time to try it on one after the other. We laughed, complimented each other, and it was just like an immediate, striking connection that we shared. At the end of the try-on, I shyly asked for her phone number, and whether or not she wanted to go out for an aperitivo one of these nights. We went out that very same night, and from then on we were inseperable. After just 2 weeks of knowing her I trusted her so much to give her the keys to my apartment, so she could check on my cat, Mizuri, every couple of days while I was away in Norway. She accepted my weird side, my flawes, and she brought out the best of me. When I moved to Bologna, for a vicious mistake of mine, we ended up losing contact. I contacted her again this year, apologizing for my behaviour in the past, and asked if we could try to rekindle our friendship. So here we are. We still haven’t met in person, but she very eagerly accepted to do this interview with me. I hope you see the immense beauty of a person that she is, just as I see her.

 

At what age did you start painting, and why?

In my childhood memories, art has always been present. This is thanks to the passion for art that was passed on to me by my grandmother in Moldova; she used to paint naturalistic landscapes. I remember the huge landscapes painted on the walls of her house, where I spent my childhood. Then, at the age of 7, I moved to Italy with my family and continued painting and drawing (especially during math lessons 😉 ). I remember my classmates always wanted me to draw something for them. They made me feel special, even though at first, I didn’t know a single word of Italian. I communicated through my art!

What technique do you prefer to use and why?

In my art, I prefer the oil painting technique because it brings out the best results in the artwork. I love painting figurative subjects, specifically female figures. Oil paints give luminosity and realism to my paintings. It’s a complicated technique, but with a lot of practice, you can create wonderful effects.

It’s clear in your paintings that you care deeply about femininity and women’s emotions. Why did you choose this style?

I am a woman, and in my art, I love to express my personality. I enjoy creating women with a strong presence—women who are powerful and aware of their feminine strength. I like to paint mysterious women.

If you have a muse, who is it and why?

My muse is Marilyn Monroe, the ultimate icon of femininity. She was a woman of her time but far ahead of the generation she lived in. A woman who was objectified as a body to possess, display, and sensationalize—a strong woman who endured the constant male gaze. For me, Marilyn Monroe was a genius. I’ve read her biography countless times. She lived a tumultuous and devastating past that could have driven her to madness from a young age. Yet, through her inner strength, she built a name for herself and became an icon of beauty and intelligence. Unfortunately, her past resurfaced despite her fame, popularity, and power.

Marilyn Monroe, the diva, shaped and created by the male-dominated society of her time, yet preserving in her eyes her uniqueness. Her gaze is sweet and innocent. A strong woman, but one who carried a deep void in her heart—she simply had a profound need for genuine love.

Now you attend the Fine Arts School in Verona. What is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?

At the Fine Arts Academy in Verona, I’m learning a lot—especially art history and culture. It’s a wonderful place for artists to exchange ideas. I see different styles and have incredibly talented classmates from whom I learn so much! I believe that to become a great artist, the first step is to surround yourself with better artists. You need to immerse yourself completely in art. Take inspiration and personalize—never reduce yourself to mere copying, of course. Engaging with other artists and peers is essential to enrich your art and discover your own artistic signature. Finding your style requires exploration and study! You need to practice a lot to discover your identity in your paintings. 

I want someone to look at my paintings and see Carolina—little pieces of my personality.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

Where do I see myself in 10 years? I want to be the woman I dream of becoming—a mother and an artist. I want to keep painting and teaching art classes for children. I believe that practicing art from a young age is very beneficial for kids, and I think art therapy should be taught in schools. 

In 10 years, I hope to be living with my long-time partner Francesco. I’d like to have two children and live in a house surrounded by greenery, maybe a bit isolated from the noise of the city. I want to be a happy and serene woman. I imagine myself painting with my children in a lush green meadow. I enjoy living a life of simplicity.

If I weren’t a painter, what would I do in life?

It’s hard for me to imagine not making art—it’s such an integral part of who Carolina is. I dream with my eyes open. For me, creating art means reconnecting with my most genuine and spontaneous self, almost like going back to being a child. I can’t picture a non-artistic Carolina. My days would probably feel much duller.

Art, for me, is what brings color to my life. I often find myself thinking about new projects. There are periods when I’m especially creative, and it’s fantastic because everything fuels itself.

What has been the most challenging project you’ve worked on?

So far, I haven’t faced a particularly difficult project in the artistic field. At the academy, we have the freedom to choose the works we want to create. The important thing is to improve our technique through practice—not just technique but also the search for our own artistic style. For example, my goal is to refine my skills and, at the same time, continue exploring and defining my unique artistic identity.

Have you ever collaborated with any artist, and if not, who would you like to collaborate with?

So far, I haven’t had the opportunity to collaborate with other artists, but I’ve met many different ones with whom I’ve been able to exchange ideas and opinions in this field.

Lately, I’ve noticed you’ve been exploring different styles, even painting on jeans and jackets. What other ideas do you have to promote your art?

I enjoy experimenting with different materials. On Instagram, I follow various artists who express their art through diverse techniques and materials. I take inspiration from them and experiment myself. Painting on denim jackets was a discovery for me. I bought a fabric paint kit on Amazon and started practicing on clothes I no longer used. I really liked the results! The effect is quite similar to painting on canvas.