Wonder Women

Elsie was born and raised in Cyprus. As an islander, she has special connection with the sea, that she considers to be a healer in her life. She studied English Literature and Cultural Studies but later followed her instinct to Asia where she studied Holistic Therapies. Over the past few years Elsie expanded her knowledge in aromatherapy, cosmetology and herbalism. She is fascinated with nature and she considers herself a lifelong student of the plants and their abilities. After travelling for about 10 years and living abroad she returned to Cyprus to connect with her roots. During the last few years she developed a great love for her island, through her excitement for nature. “Cyprus’ biodiversity is rich and unique in so many ways, as well as its variety in terrain and climate, and by going deeper into observing nature through each season, I slowly fell in love with my native land”. Elsie has recently move to a village to be closer to nature in every way possible. Her idea of quality time is spending time with her dogs while collecting, experimenting and reading about plants. “I love mushrooms and trees, chocolate and nettles, foot soaks and massages, cooking and eating, planting seeds and watching them grow, laying on mountains and beaches, sharing creative time with friends and with myself, travelling and observing people”. Gaia Olea, her business, was born five years ago, through Elsie’s’ appreciation for nature’s gifts and with the help of her partner Zenonas, in Kalavasos village. Gaia Olea is a project that attempts to make these gifts available to people in the form of simple natural skincare and herbal apothecary products that respect people, animals and the environment. Elsie’s’ love for herbs and her spiritual connection with nature is inspiring in every aspect.  

1. I am passionate with…plants.
2. I believe in…humans.
3. I laugh at …myself.
4. I cry for…everything.
5. I detest…nothing.
6. I adore…my dogs, the sea and nature.
7. My greatest fear is…being far from my dogs, the sea and nature.
8. My dream is… to grow and produce all of my food.
9. My worst scenario is…you don’t want to know!
10. My best quality is…being able to make a joke out of anything (not everyone agrees).

  You can find all about Gaia Olea products by visiting the website and Instagram page and you can always follow or contact Elsie through her Facebook profile.

Wonder Women

Irene is a very busy and passionate person, who aspires to accomplish many goals in this lifetime. She is a singer and song writer with her new album “Journey out of slumber” recently released. She is the leading singer and co- founder of one of the most popular Jazz bands in Cyprus “Mood Indigo”. Along with her partner, Greg Makamian, they introduced Cyprus music platform to the American song book of Jazz. Irene is also a huge healthy food lover and has a YouTube channel under the name Irene Coco Queen, where she gives free vegan recipes to her viewers. “I hope for a future where humanity will treat animals and our planet with love and respect”. Her beautiful voice in combination with her sensitive soul is what makes her so truly inspiring!  

1. I am passionate with…inspiring people.
2. I believe in… the idea that all sentient beings should be treated as equals.
3. I laugh at…myself!
4. I cry for…people who do not express their true authentic selves.
5. I detest…people and companies who exploit the innocent for money.
6. I adore…my dog and my partner.
7. My greatest fear is…never knowing who we truly are as a species and if extra-terrestrials exist.
8. My dream is…to be in a position where I can help others.
9. My worst scenario is…saying goodbye to the ones I love.
10. My best quality is…empathy.

  Follow Irene Coco Queen at her YouTube Channel, Instagram, Facebook Page and find out  more about her band Mood Indigo.

Wonder Women

Rebecca Katsaris was born in Athens and until the age of five lived in the Arab Emirates. Even though she spent most of her life in Cyprus, her curiosity for diversity drove her to live in various places such as Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom. She studied Preschool Education and Psychology at the University of Cyprus and has a Master of Research degree in Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Cultural Studies from the University of Birkbeck in London, United Kingdom. Rebecca has worked in public and private schools, and has designed and facilitated various educational programs for galleries, museums, festivals and libraries, something which gave her the opportunity to meet and work alongside dancers, healers, shamans, farmers, musicians, painters, poets and storytellers. She is the founder of Trofí which is dedicated to Pedagogy of Diversity and offers seminars and workshops which their main focus is to enhance self-love, acceptance of the other and to cultivate a collaborative spirit between young people and families. The main focus of her workshops is music, art and creativity, physical expression, literature and nutrition. Let’s meet Rebecca from a different point of view:

1. I am passionate with…music, stones, seeds and the people I love.
2. I believe in…love and good-hearted people.
3. I laugh at …good jokes.
4. I cry for…big and small things, especially when I have the need to release emotional tension.
5. I detest…hypocrisy. 
6. I adore…spending time with my loved ones.
7. My greatest fear is…to loose hope.
8. My dream is…to live and create in my home island Cyprus. 
9. My worst scenario is…I do not wish to think about it.
10. My best quality is…bringing people together.

Currently Rebecca is living in Bogotá, Colombia where she facilitates workshops in various cultural spaces such, museums, libraries and universities for young children and families. In Colombia, Rebecca also dedicates a lot of her time on working on cultural exchange programs between Cyprus, Greece, United Kingdom, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia. As well Rebecca is fascinated with stones, creating alternative jewellery. If you wish to contact Rebecca and get informed about her work follow her on Instagram and Facebook Trofi page.

Wonder Women

Antria Petrou is a graphic designer and illustrator from Cyprus. She lives and works in London, after her graduation in BA Marketing and Advertising from Leeds Becket University. However, her passion for design and creativity led her to extend her studies in perusing skills and knowledge for graphic design in Shillington College. “As a graphic designer, through my illustrations I found a way to express my personality, style and beliefs”. Atria’s illustrations are inspirited by her love for fashion, the values of feminism, her passion with travelling and everyday life. At the same time Antria is working on her own personal project “B R U N C H I N G”, a denim jackets brand, where her digital illustrations are brought into fashion. Her ultimate goal is to create a powerful international brand with the combination of her two great passions, graphic design and fashion. Antria is a bold young woman who is determined to bring her dreams in reality. “I am intrigued by every new challenge that pushes my boundaries in order to develop myself in every aspect. My ultimate vision for my future is to become a successful woman and artist that will inspire others to.”    

1. I am passionate with…passionate people.
2. I believe in…the power that comes from within.
3. I laugh at …funny videos.
4. I cry…for two reasons; happiness and anger.
5. I detest…
6. I adore…my life.
7. My greatest fear is…death before success.
8. My dream is…to experience the world through my own lenses.
9. My worst scenario is…
10. My best quality is… transferring vision into reality.

  Follow Antria and her latest work in her Facebook profile, Instagram and Website.

Wonder Women

Helena is a woman with many talents. She studied musical theatre at Laine Theatre Arts and for the last three years she has been working as an actress in Greek tv series. She is being loved and recognised not only for her amazing talent, but also for the beauty she is inside out. Her love for expressing her self through art is what keeps her trying and evolving. “Dance, music and drama fill my soul. I can’t imagine my life without doing the things I love”.

1. I am passionate with…what I do.
2. I believe in…kindness of people.
3. I laugh at …my dad’s jokes!
4. I cry for…injustice.
5. I detest…imperiousness.
6. I adore…animals.
7. My greatest fear is…war.
8. My dream is…to play in a movie.
9. My worst scenario is…to be unable to express my feelings through art.
10. My best quality is…persistence.

You can follow Helenas’ latest news in Facebook and Instagram.

Wonder Women

Eleni Irakleous is a talented and passionate musician. She has been living and working in Berlin for the last ten years. She studied classical piano and music education, and she recently graduated from a Master degree based on singing with children. “I am a musician, a pianist, a singer and a children’s choir conductor. I love my field because it allows me to change roles, scenes and work with a lot of people”. In the last few months Eleni has performed on stage in three different countries with the junior choir of the Berlin as the constructor, with the symphonic orchestra in Berlin as a pianist, and as a singer at a chamber choir. Performing her own songs is the most personal aspect of her work. As a solo artist she gets to share with her audience her stories and experiences. Eleni is currently recording her first EP album. Lets meet Eleni in 10 personal questions:

1. I am passionate with…my work!
2. I believe in…love and the change small actions can bring.
3. I laugh at …myself for stupid thoughts when they no longer matter.
4. I cry…when I am emotionally stressed.
5. I detest…ignorance in every level.
6. I adore…my family.
7. My greatest fear is…me actually knowing the answer to this question.
8. My dream is…a more balanced universe.
9. My worst scenario is… bad weather, delayed trains, cancelled flights, and getting late and stressed to work.
10. My best quality is…coming up with new, creative ideas in a short time.

You can follow her work and news on her Facebook and Instagram pages.

Wonder Women

Natalia Markou is the founder of The Art Cocoon, an online contemporary art gallery in Dubai, UAE, with a mission to promote upcoming and mid-career Greek and Cypriot artists. Through, social media, exhibitions, and participations in international art fairs, the gallery exposes the artists’ work, to new international audiences, focusing in the Middle East region. She previously worked as a Senior IT Analyst at international companies in the industries of banking systems and telecommunications, traveling around the world for her companies’ projects. After her decision to make a career change, she worked independently as an Interior Designer, on residential projects, before moving with her family to Dubai in 2010. Her passion for art was combined with her experience in computer science to create an online platform to present and promote artists from her home country. Her gallery, The Art Cocoon, realized in 2015 where she presented a first selection of six artists from Cyprus. The gallery’s latest participation at World Art Dubai art fair in 2017, was awarded in the category of Best Regional Art Gallery. Natalia received her B.A. in Computer Science from Athens University of Economics and Business, a Diploma in Interior Design from Frederik University, and Curating Contemporary Art Course from University of the Arts London. In addition, she completed several art related courses on the art markets, combining her experience from the corporate world she helps artists move to the next level of their career. Natalia is a woman filled with passion and dedication to what she does. Her advice to all the women trying to achieve their goals is “Don’t let anyone discourage you from moving forward with your dreams. Stay positive and confident in your abilities. Everything is possible when you do what you love”. Lets meet her:

1. I am passionate with… art and learning new things.
2. I believe in…what goes around comes around.
3. I laugh… when I’m with friends.
4. I cry for…children abuse.
5. I despite…fear.
6. I adore…my family.
7. My greatest fear is…not doing what I love.
8. My dream is…to make a difference in the world.
9. My worst scenario is…I don’t have one.
10. My best quality is…being open minded.

Follow  The Art Cocoon Gallery in fecebook, instagram  and twitter.