What is the best thing that I love about my work?

As a place marketer and painter, I love the blend of strategy and creativity. I love how one discipline sharpens my analytical thinking, while the other nourishes my imagination. Both let me tell human stories, just in different languages. I see strategy and creativity not as opposites, but as partners. Both in branding places and creating art, I need a clear vision and creativity to express and evoke emotion. This combination keeps me going. 

What is my idea of happiness?
Happiness for me is freedom – the freedom to think independently, to create without imposed limits, and to question norms. Although I’m naturally well organized, I feel most alive when I can step outside the frame, follow my own path, and express my vision without external pressure. Whether I’m painting or designing place strategies, I value the space to stay true to my own voice. 

What is my greatest fear?
Losing curiosity. If I stop asking questions, observing, or wanting to experiment—both my art and professional work would flatten into routine. 

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?
My tendency to overthink. Whether it’s a brushstroke or a brand framework, I sometimes circle the same decision too long, fearing imperfection. I also often carry my emotions around for too long, I’ve only recently learned to scream when I want to, cry when I want to or laugh like a madwoman when I get distracted by something or come up with something crazy. 

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?
I admire people who work at the intersection of disciplines. 

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
If there were something I truly disliked about my work—I simply wouldn’t do it. I believe creative freedom means choosing what aligns with your values and passions, and leaving the rest behind. 

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

When I witness genuine reactions and emotions from people engaging with my work. That moment when something I created surprises them, moves them, or sparks a memory—it’s deeply fulfilling. Often, the owners of my paintings reach out to share how the piece continues to resonate with them, and that brings me incredible joy. Basically, I like results that work and last. 

If I could, what would I change about myself?
I’d silence my inner critic a bit more often. Sometimes I need to remember that imperfect things have power too. 

What is my greatest achievement in work?
Helping places to define their identity —then seeing the pride in people’s faces when it all came together. That’s when place branding really matters. Like paintings, my projects live on and continue to work long after they’re created, and this is very important for me. 

Where would I most like to live?

By the sea—where the horizon reminds me to think big and the rhythm of the waves resets my mind. I always go to the seaside when I need inspiration, a different perspective. It was by the sea that I decided to return to an old dream — to study painting and make it part of my life. Living at the seaside is my retirement plan. 

What is my most treasured possession?
I’m not particularly attached to material things. Today, almost anything can be recreated — except memories. So, if I had to pack just one suitcase, I’d take a few family heirlooms with me.

What is my most marked characteristic?
The ability to see patterns and metaphors where others might see noise. I like to balance logic with emotion—analyzing facts while tuning into how things feel. It helps me in branding and makes me a painter who tells layered stories. 

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?
I’m inspired by the everyday rhythm of my city—the streets I walk, the corners I pass. I often find meaning in things that seem ordinary at first glance.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?
Spanish restaurants and cafés—without a doubt. I love the flavors, the wine, the warmth of the atmosphere. Any place that serves good octopus and churros instantly becomes my little slice of heaven. 

What books influenced my life and how?
In my professional life, Kotler’s Marketing had a profound impact — it was the book that truly made me fall in love with the field. Years later, we met and it was an unforgettable moment. Beyond that, I don’t have one defining book; instead, I try to take a lesson, a feeling, or an idea from every book I read. Each one leaves a small imprint.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?
Definitely Chopin. For me, a musical absolute. But maybe, also the song “I did it my way” by Sinatra. 

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?
Perhaps this sounds too obvious, but The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry has always felt close to my heart. He is a quiet observer of the world, sensitive to the invisible, to what lies beneath the surface—qualities that I believe every painter shares. The way of looking at ordinary things—like a sheep or a rose —and seeing wonder, mystery, and emotion is something I always try to remind myself of. There’s something powerful in the way he captures complexity with such simplicity.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?
People who never give up and do thing their ways. E.g. Marie Curie, who broke through barriers in science and persisted in her work despite immense personal and social challenges. Or Frida Kahlo, who turned her pain into powerful art and never conformed to expectations. I admire the courage and independence.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime?
I absolutely love Inglourious Basterds — I must have seen it over fifty times. There’s something captivating about the way it blends intense storytelling with bold visuals and dark humor. In general, I’m drawn to visually rich, almost painterly films — like The Grand Budapest Hotel, which feels like stepping into a meticulously crafted art piece. I also have a deep affection for classic Polish cinema — those films carry a unique atmosphere and emotional depth. 

What role do stories play in my life and work?
Stories are the glue. Whether I’m painting, branding, or speaking—they help make sense of chaos and build bridges. Stories are often the starting point — the spark that begins the thinking process. Conversations become a creative space, shaping how we connect and collaborate with others and the world around us.

What do the words “You are the storyteller of your own life” mean to me?
I truly believe that everything depends on us—our determination, ambition, and hard work. If we play cards for the love of the game, not just for the prize, things have a way of working out. We shape our own story with the choices we make and the passion we put into them. 

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

My husband. He’s the first to see the results of my work—and the first to critique them, always with the aim of pushing me toward something better. When I hear that a color looks like faded laundry or that a strategy lacks flair, I get annoyed… and then, fired up, I push my own limits even further. 

Which people or companies would I like to work with?

I always strive to learn from the best, so I dream of working with people who are far more skilled or experienced than I am. Being around such individuals challenges me, pushes me to grow, helps me to develop and keeps my creativity alive. If I don’t have that opportunity, I feel stifled — and then I know it’s time to move on and keep searching for the right environment. 

What project am I looking forward to work on?
I’m excited to work on a hybrid place branding and visual storytelling project—one that engages residents to co-create both a visual identity and an artistic representation of their community, especially in underrepresented towns or regions. I want to work in a place that’s unfamiliar to me—one I need to explore, learn about, and understand from the local perspective first.

Where can you see me or my work?
For my paintings I invite you to look at my Instagram – magdalenaflorek.art. My place branding projects are owned by the places I used to work with and I hope they are ‘in the air’. 

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?
It means your inner fire doesn’t follow a career timeline. If your work comes from a genuine place—of wonder, love, curiosity—it evolves, but it never ends. Passion is a lifelong citizen of your soul. 

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story? 

Helena Stiasny is an amazing young Polish artist — just take a look at her work, and you’ll see she’s headed for something big.

How can you contact me?

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/magdalenaflorek.art/

Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/magdalena-florek-13a22813/