Meet Artist Hasret
Hasret Balcioglu is a self-taught digital artist and painter whose professional background as a Professor of Economics, Expert in Microbiology and Immunology, and certified Lunar Analog Astronaut has influenced the subject of her work.
As a child, Hasret was interested in microscopes and telescopes. She was inspired by the small things in nature, and the vast sky above. Though she was eager to learn more, her mother was unsupportive of her interests. As a result, Hasret turned to art to freely express her curiosity that her mom would not allow her to pursue.
Into adulthood, Hasret was finally able to study microbiology with her mother’s support. Things took a turn when her parents were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). As a family, they came to the devastating conclusion that there was no cure for Alzheimer’s disease and ALS, fueling Hasret’s search for answers and leading her to major in Microbiology and Immunology. After losing her parents, she became increasingly interested in the meaning of life, including life in space, and God, the source of all existence.
Since then, Hasret has become an analog astronaut to gain a better understanding of space and space medicine. While in the habitat in Poland, she learned how to express herself through drawing using the ‘Space Dragon’ technique, which is a technique that uses the fingers of the hand to paint psychological feelings in three colors: red, blue, and green. These colors represent feelings of stress, anxiety, and ease. Hasret then immersed herself in digital painting, expressing life, love, space, body, and other concepts in unique, scientific ways.
Hasret’s creative works raise philanthropic awareness and provide insight through exciting visuals. In 2006, Hasret took part in an exhibition to benefit a cancer society in Cyprus. In 2021, her painting was selected as one of the top entries for NASA’s Astro Photo Challenges. In April 2024, the Planetary Society published her digital art piece ‘Universe’ on their website.
A statement from Hasret…
I see life as a grand theater where we are the primary thespians. Each stage in our journey offers an opportunity for transformation, much like that of a butterfly. This perspective fuels my fascination with the cycles of birth and death, and the hidden mechanisms that sustain and perpetuate the universe. I am drawn to the belief that light exists even in the darkest places, a theme that permeates my work.
My artistic vision is continuously reshaped by the influences of ancient history, mathematics, art, and medicine. These subjects inspire me to explore hidden expressions and uncover the mathematical shapes and concepts present in nature. Emotions, too, are a significant source of inspiration, as I seek to capture their colors and nuances in my work.
Digital art is my chosen medium, where color becomes a source of light in my paintings. The digital realm offers me the freedom to express myself without limitations, allowing for the exploration of intricate details and the dynamic interplay between vivid colors and darkness. Through this medium, I explore the meaning of Bio Art and Astro Art, merging the organic with the cosmic.
In every piece, I strive to convey the profound interconnectedness of all things, using digital art as a bridge between the tangible and the abstract, the ancient and the modern. My work is a testament to the belief that art, like life, is an ever-evolving journey of discovery and transformation.
Artist Interview – Hasret
In this exclusive interview, Hasret shares how human anatomy influences her work, the significance of each element of her designs, and her message to society.
“What was your most challenging piece and why?”
Each piece of art was challenging for me because it required special attention, detail, knowledge, and conceptual balance. Because I use the human body and nature in my drawings, I need detailed information about human anatomy and nature to reflect in the artwork and properly embed the visions with the appropriate colors and shapes.
“What are you currently working on?”
I am currently working on unconditional love, specifically unconditional love in the universe.
Simply put, unconditional love means love with no strings attached. It is love that you give freely. You do not base it on what someone does for you in exchange. You simply love them and want nothing more than to see them happy. This type of love, also known as compassionate or agape love, may sound familiar.
Many people believe that a parent’s love for their own child exemplifies unconditional love, while others use the term “agape” to describe God’s love for humanity.
Using various drawing techniques such as geometrical, abstract, collage and others encourages people to think deeply and understand that life is dependent on unconditional love, and unconditional love ensures healthy generations in the future.
“What message do you convey in your work?”
In my artwork, I like to convey a message of life. Different components, aspects, forms, strategies, and perspectives on life in the universe lead us to the clues of creation.
I know that the concept of life refers to the inherent significance or philosophical meaning of living (or existence in general).
For example, Mahatama Gandhi’s philosophy of life can be summarized as “My Life is my Message.” His diverse and dynamic personality was built on nothing but the truth.
What matters most, in my opinion, is what you consider to be most important. Every person has unique values and beliefs that give their lives meaning. There are no wrong answers. What gives someone else a sense of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment may not be useful for you—and that’s okay.
“What emotions do you experience as you create art?”
Creating art is an extremely rewarding experience for me, with both psychological and physical benefits. It instills a sense of purpose, satisfaction, and accomplishment. Art also helps me to reduce stress, gain self-confidence, and improve my problem-solving abilities.
When thinking about the art work, aesthetic emotions (art, balance, beauty, and elegance) are most prominent, while driving positive emotions such as liking, empathizing, and joy, and when the art piece is completed, relaxation, self-satisfaction, achievement, and pride occur.
When drawing, for example, HORIZONTAL lines convey a sense of peace and calm, whereas VERTICAL lines convey a sense of ascent, energy, and power. The OBLIQUE lines convey agitation, movement, and dynamism, whereas the CURVED lines are more relaxing and gentler.
Art evokes feelings of excitement, hope, and responsibility in me by connecting past experiences, new memories, willingness, and visions.
“Who is your favorite iconic artist?”
Leonardo da Vinci is my favorite artist. Leonardo aimed to create a universal language through his paintings. He attempted to create accurate depictions of life by using perspective and his scientific observation experiences.
Among the characteristics that distinguish da Vinci’s work are his innovative techniques for applying paint, his detailed knowledge of anatomy, his use of the human form in figurative composition, and his use of sfumato.
I’m confident that the key to Vinci’s extraordinary creativity was his ability ‘to access different ways of thinking, to see more clearly the interconnectedness of everything, and to achieve a different state of consciousness.’
Da Vinci’s keen sense of observation and skill as an illustrator allowed him to notice and recreate natural effects, giving his portraits a unique vibrancy. Leonardo, driven by curiosity, constantly tried to explain what he saw.
I believe that the embedding of the inspiration to the art work makes each individual different from others.
“What do you want The Art Spread supporters to take away from your work?”
In real life, we are the major actresses and actors in our own lives. Every experience permits us to evolve, much like the stages of a butterfly. I’ve always been interested by birth and death, which are the universe’s hidden sources of sustainability and continuance. Ancient history, math, art, medicine, and other areas are continually influencing my thinking. This motivation drives me to look for hidden expressions, mathematical shapes and notions in nature, as well as the hues of emotion. 
I think that there is light even in the darkest of places. As a result, colors add light to the artworks.
In my art, I believe that everyone can discover the meaning of life, the value of being alive, the value of love, the value of consciousness, and other concepts.
Every art piece focuses on the steps and experiences of creation in a mixed real and imagined environment with harmonious colors. They may also sense the sincerity in each component.
“In your studio, do you listen to music or a podcast while you create? Or do you prefer
silence?”
I adore and find inspiration in music; therefore, I listen to it while I’m drawing at my studio.
It may serve as a distraction for others, it fosters my creative flow. I normally curate a playlist especially for a piece of art, and I listen to music that reflects the tone or vibe of whatever I’m working on.
We may avoid being tight by giving ourselves a little shake of the head, nod, or tap of the foot. Tension is a major obstacle to sketching! I find that listening to music facilitates the transition from verbal and analytical reasoning to spatial thought.
When painting while listening to music, I experience synesthesia, or the mixing of senses; I perceive colors, shapes, and other objects when I hear noises. Through my actions, I’m allowing music to directly impact what and how I paint.
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Hasret’s unique personal and professional background is so unique. It makes her work even more powerful and emotive. Thank you for sharing with us.