How Creating Art in Nature Brought David Popa Global Recognition

In this episode, land artist David Popa shares the pivotal moments and creative philosophies that have shaped his unique career. Known for his large-scale ephemeral earth frescoes, David combines ancient techniques with modern technology, crafting breathtaking works that are captured through drone photography and shared as visual narratives. His art, created with natural pigments such as charcoal and earth, often fades back into nature, echoing the transient beauty of life. David opens up about his early influences from fine art and street art, and the courageous leap of faith that led him to create a genre-defining practice. He also discusses how staying true to his vision has allowed him to collaborate with major global brands while still honoring the spiritual and adventurous aspects of his work. From blending creativity with nature to embracing the impermanence of his art, David offers profound insights for artists seeking to align their work with personal meaning and authenticity. “Don’t chase the money. That part comes after making the work you’re truly compelled to create. There’s something inside you that needs to come out… chase that. The audience who will resonate and emotionally connect with it will find the work.” – David Popa Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:00 David Popa’s Artistic Journey and Practice 02:07 The Uniqueness of Ephemeral Earth Frescoes 03:11 Merging Art, Nature, and Adventure 04:10 Early Influences and Transition to Land Art 05:12 Moving to Finland and Taking a Leap of Faith 06:37 Overcoming Artistic Frustration and Experimenting with Materials 09:00 Developing Drone Photography and Large-Scale Art 11:00 Creating a Breakthrough Piece: Portrait on an Islet 13:00 The Role of Self-Doubt and Artistic Persistence 15:00 First Social Media Success and National Recognition 17:00 Building a Global Audience Through Art Drops 19:00 The Power of Emotional Resonance in Art 21:00 Crafting Personal Narratives Through Social Media 23:00 Using Vulnerability to Expand Artistic Reach 25:00 Balancing Brand Collaborations and Authenticity 27:00 Staying True to Core Values in a Monetized World 28:00 Highlighting Key Collaborations 29:50 Final Advice: Perseverance, Passion, and Authenticity 30:40 Closing Thoughts Access the members-only full unabridged conversation here: https://hub.professionalartist.com/c/deep-dives-vault/david-popa Links to artworks discussed: David’s art can be seen in the YouTube version of this podcast here. Connect with David Website: https://www.davidpopaart.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/david_popa_art/ Learn more about The Professional Artist Association: Join 50,000+ artists getting Free advice & inspiration: https://professionalartist.com/letter Join ≈1,000 committed artists around the world for less than $1, £ or € a day: https://professionalartist.com/join Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professionalartistaccelerator Free training and resources: Free training on how to find art buyers without a big following: https://professionalartist.com/find-your-next-3-fine-art-collectors/?utm_source=PODCAST&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=2025-06 Free insider report on how Painters, Sculptors, and Fine Art Photographers make their art income stable and consistent: https://professionalartist.com/report/?utm_source=PODCAST&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=free_report If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with another artist and leave us a review. We read every single one.