Interview 2: Vanda Budai, Founder, Kameleon Art Studio

  • 5 Feb 2022 5:50 AM
Interview 2: Vanda Budai, Founder, Kameleon Art Studio
1. What’s been happening at work and at home since your first Xpat Interview?

Click here to read her first interview

There have been quite a few changes in our life. We have found a great studio in the 2nd district in Budapest. It is a fantastic location and we just love the studio itself.

There were a few people, who did not really understand our previous name (no paint no gain studio), so we decided to change the name to a more simple one. Now we are called Kameleon Art Studio, which is very easy to spell and to understand even for people who are not proficient in English.

We also have widened the scope of the types of workshops we offer. Besides the basic „square painting” workshops we also have „Painting with templates'' or „Portrait painting” workshops. We have also started some other abstract painting workshops, which are also so much fun.

What hasn’t changed from our side is the enthusiasm and the positive vibes we offer during the painting sessions.

The studio also has a wonderful new website: kameleonartstudio.com

You’ll find the workshop schedule here, as well as many photos of the paintings that have been done at our fantastic workshops.

And I always have new ideas to work on…

2. On a scale of 1 to 10 how happy are you with your life in Hungary, and why?

Being a native-born Hungarian, I am happy and satisfied with my life here. I have many friends here, a part of my family, wonderful memories, and of course the studio I have been working on for the past 2 years. So I would rate it a 9.


3. What’s the best party you’ve been to while in Hungary, and why?

It was my birthday party last November. A few friends, DJ, dancing, and partying at home, I enjoyed it a lot.

4. What’s your favourite drink?

Water, lemonade and tea. Is it very embarrassing?

5. What hidden talents do you have?

I am able to remember birthdays easily.

6. What was the most interesting travel trip you have ever taken?

Traveling in Norway. I would love to go back and spend some more time there.

7. If you were given a wish that could come true, what would you ask for?

To have my own art gallery, where I could sell my own works and those painted by others.

8. What’s the last book you read, and movie you watched?

The last book I read was from Sándor Márai: Az igazi (The one)

I mostly watch series on Netflix. I most recently watched Stay Close.

9. If someone wrote a biography about you, what would the title be?

“Opposites”, or “She Thought She Couldn’t Until She Did”.

10. What is the perfect pizza toppings combination for you?

Tomato sauce, cheese, onion, tomato sauce, cheese, onion, and some more tomato sauce. And maybe cheese and onion.



11. If you could trade places with any other person for a week, real or fictional, with whom would it be?

Someone who is in heaven…

12. On a scale of 1 to 10 how unusual are you, and why?

I would give myself a 3. I don’t think I am too unusual. I just try to live a life I enjoy.

13. What’s the best website you’ve ever visited, and why?

Canva. It is so helpful for me in my career right now.

14. Who do you admire the most, and why?

My children. They teach me to stay flexible, they always hold a mirror for me, and they are the reason I keep myself busy, so they have a good example in front of them. But if you would ask them, they would probably laugh and say: try again, mom.

15. What do you like best and least about living in Hungary?

Living in the middle of Europe is great because no matter which way you leave the country, you find beautiful places to see.

The least I like in Hungary is politics, negative thinking and envy.

16. What has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?

Living in different countries. In the US at age 18; I have learnt how important my family is. Living in Germany between age 35 – 43 taught me that my soul still belongs to Hungary.

17. If you won USD 30 million, what would you do with the money?

I would split the money between my family and friends who need help.

I would probably buy houses here and there, and I guess I would travel, travel, and travel.

18. If your life had a theme song, what would it be?

„Proud Mary” from Tina Turner or „The dock of the bay” from Otis Redding

19. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

Italy or Norway. I just love these two countries.

20. In ten years from now what will you be doing?

Hopefully painting on nice big canvases.



Photo: Emese Bata

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