Art in Scheidegg has shaped the last two years of my life in ways I could never have anticipated. This month, I celebrate the 2-year anniversary of my studio while sharing new products, recent milestones, and reflections on my evolving artistic journey in Bavaria.

In this June update, I share the latest additions to my shop — cotton T-shirts, tote bags, and a special jewelry release: Real Wild Strawberries Preserved in Resin Earrings, with only two pairs available.

I am also delighted to share that one of my artworks was featured in Saatchi Art’s New This Week Collection on June 22, 2026.

 

Latest SHOP Additions – Juny 2026

I’ve just added a limited edition collection of high-quality printed T-Sirts and Cotton Tote Bags to my shop. Each piece features my original cow illustration, inspired by the Bavarian countryside and the gentle rhythm of summer hills with grazing cows.

The white cotton T-Shirts are available in sizes S, M, and L, while the organic cotton tote bags come in two spacious sizes. Everything is produced in small batches, so availability is limited — you can choose each item individually or create your own Cow Duo Set with a T-Shirt and a matching Tote Bag.

Shop page

 

🎉 2-Year Anniversary – My Journey as an Artist in Bavaria (Art Studio in Scheidegg)

Reflections, changes, and the evolution of my creative path

Looking back, I realize that these two years have passed faster than I ever expected. The first months, and especially the first year of my artistic practice, were intense and often overwhelming. My path as an artist came with many moments of doubt and discouragement.

Today, things have settled slightly, but the journey remains both challenging and deeply constructive. Running an art studio in Bavaria, more specifically my art studio & gallery in Scheidegg, has been an ongoing process of learning, adjusting, and redefining what it means for me to live as a full-time artist in contemporary art Germany.

 

How it all began – moving into art full-time in Bavaria

When I moved from Moldova to Bavaria, I felt an increasingly strong inner call toward creating art. This led me to transition from my profession as a web & graphic designer into a full-time artistic practice, opening my own Art Studio & Gallery in Bayern, in Scheidegg in May 2024.

At the beginning, I carried far more hope and optimism than a realistic understanding of the process ahead.

Looking back now, I realize that one of the key early lessons was experimenting with a very wide range of small handmade products. My intention was to understand the market and what people respond to. However, this resulted in a visual diversity that was not yet unified — works and objects that did not yet reflect a consistent artistic language in terms of style or color.

 

My first sale and early encounters

I still clearly remember the joy of my first customer — a gentleman from a local clinic who purchased a medium-sized printed canvas. The artwork was based on a photograph I had taken: a flower with a dancing ballerina rising above it, a composition shaped strongly by my background in graphic design.

At the same time, more local visitors began entering the studio, curious to discover who I am, what I create, and what I bring into this small creative space in Scheidegg.

These early interactions marked the beginning of my presence as part of the local creative workspace Germany community.

 

What changed over 2 years – building my artistic identity

Over time, I began focusing more intentionally on building a recognizable personal brand — something that remains in the viewer’s memory when they pass by the studio window.

I feel that this direction is slowly becoming more coherent and effective.

I learned that smaller works and decorative objects tend to have higher commercial potential, as they are more accessible and easier to integrate into everyday life. A particular success has been my handmade jewelry pieces, created by combining natural elements with resin. Each piece is unique — a small fragment of nature transformed into wearable art.

Gradually, I also made adjustments in the studio space itself, especially in how I present jewelry and small objects. Some display structures were handcrafted with the help of my husband, while others were sourced from regional second-hand markets.

I removed an old, damaged carpet from a side window area and refreshed the space by painting the floor white. This simple transformation brought more light, clarity, and a more contemporary feeling to the overall atmosphere of my Art Studio in Scheidegg, Bavaria.

Step by step, I reduced the excessive variety of handmade objects and began focusing on a few core directions that work better and reflect my artistic identity more clearly.

 

What has remained constant

I realized that even though large-format works are still not selling consistently, and even though I sometimes focused more on handmade jewelry, my inner artistic direction has always pulled me back.

Back to creating art in a broader sense — through graphic works and abstract art explorations — where I feel my true creative core lies.

I deeply enjoy experimenting with new techniques and materials. During this period, I explored scratchboard art, textured paste, acrylic markers, textile paints, glass paints, and many other mixed media approaches. This experimentation remains an essential part of my practice in contemporary art Germany.

 

The studio energy and ongoing challenges

The energy of the space is still something that can be improved, both in terms of visitor flow and in terms of lighting and thermal comfort.

The studio needs more light, as it is naturally quite dark, but this requires additional investment that I cannot afford at the moment.

The building itself is old and not insulated. During the colder season, even with heating, it is difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature.

If you feel connected to my journey and would like to support the development of my art studio in Bavarian Alps, any contribution is deeply appreciated:
PayPal: alabotnarescu@gmail.com

 

Moving more into the digital space

During periods of lower sales, I increasingly shifted my focus toward the online space — developing this website, updating content, and strengthening my presence on social media.

This is a time-consuming but essential process that allows my work to reach a much wider audience beyond Scheidegg the local region and around the world .

I began documenting my creative process, writing blog articles regularly, and keeping my audience updated about new artworks, studio activities, and events. I also consistently share newly created jewelry pieces, ready for sale.

Follow me or subscribe on social media to stay updated:

 

What’s coming next

For those who are curious, I will soon launch paid educational content on my Patreon page, focused on handmade jewelry making — including practical hacks, behind-the-scenes videos, and creative process insights.

I may also announce upcoming workshops soon, so stay tuned for updates.

For more background, you can read my 1-year anniversary article or visit my atelier page.

 

Ala Botnarescu – New This Week Collection on Saatchi Art

I’m delighted to share that my painting “Textured Botanical Mixed Media Painting with Surreal Pollinator” has been selected by Saatchi Art’s Chief Curator, Rebecca Wilson, for the “New This Week Collection”, with the possibility of being featured on the homepage.

A gentle reminder that art has a way of finding its own path through the world.

You can preview the collection and discover my artwork there. Collectors can also discover and acquire the work directly through my website.

 
 

Real Wild Strawberries Preserved in Resin Earrings – Only Two Pairs Available

Real wild strawberries gathered by me during my walks in nature are forever preserved inside handmade resin bead earrings. Only two pairs exist—one crafted as sterling silver stud earrings and one as stainless steel hook earrings—each capturing a genuine fragment of nature as unique wearable art. 🍓

Visit the Ala Botnarescu Studio in Scheidegg – Kirchplatz 3, 88175 to purchase in person, or place your order via Instagram DM: abstract_alunna_jewelry

❤️‍🔥 Feel free to like, comment, and subscribe to my YouTube channel.

 

All copyrights to this article belong exclusively to © Ala Botnarescu.