DREAMS COME TRUE THROUGH DEDICATION: DRAGANA GAVRIĆ TURNS HER PASSION INTO ART

Dreams we cherish come true only through hard work, dedication, commitment, and a little bit of luck. Dragana Gavrić from Ugljevik has fulfilled her long-standing dream by transforming her wishes into paintings on canvas.

PHOTO: Info Bijeljina

Her love for drawing and painting dates back to childhood, but only recently did she find the courage to present her artwork to a wider audience. Because of her modesty, only her closest family and friends were aware of her talent. Encouraged by positive feedback, she has devoted herself more seriously to artistic creation in recent months.

“I have always drawn and painted well. It was my favorite part of school. My mother was among the first to notice my talent and constantly bought me colored pencils and sketchbooks. I have been inseparable from them for as long as I can remember,” Dragana said.

She began with graphite pencils and now works with acrylics and oil paints.

“At the beginning it was difficult. I had to research online and practically learn step by step. As a child, I drew superheroes, nature, and animals. Now I paint everything I see, and often I transfer my emotions onto the canvas,” the young artist explains.

Portraits are her favorite subject. The first portrait she completed was of her own family.

“I painted our family portrait in October last year because I wanted to preserve that moment in time. It was meant just for me, but when the reactions started coming and were extremely positive, I realized that I truly want to dedicate myself to painting more seriously. Five years ago, I painted an icon of Saint Petka and a portrait of Patriarch Pavle — works that left no one indifferent. I have also painted portraits of Vojvoda Manda, Novak Đoković, and many others,” she says.

Dragana is a wife and mother of two daughters. While her children were very young, she devoted herself entirely to them, but over the past year she has been constantly creating with brush and paints.

“I am always learning. When I look at my early works, I notice mistakes I certainly wouldn’t make today. It is much easier for me to draw with a graphite pencil and shade than to work with acrylics, and it takes less time. Some paintings I complete in five to eight hours, while others take several days or even weeks. But I am proud that I didn’t give up and that this hobby has grown into a true love for art,” Dragana emphasizes.

Currently unemployed, she contributes to her household budget through painting and drawing. Satisfied customers have given her additional motivation.

Although she has not attended any formal courses or art workshops, she plans to enroll in an art school to further improve her skills and discover new techniques.

She hopes that her hometown of Ugljevik will support her and provide an opportunity to present her work to fellow citizens at a future exhibition.