But that’s exactly the path Cristina Balan has chosen, and she doesn’t regret it for a minute. From June 2018 until July 2019, Balan represented the former Soviet republic of Moldova as ambassador to the United States. But now, Balan is taking her art to the next level, and mounting her first solo art exhibit outside Moldova. I embrace all religions,” Balan said, adding that she’s been working on this exhibit for more than three years. As an abstract artist, Balan says her goal is to use shapes and colors to evoke reactions, emotions, ideas and impressions without depicting anything recognizable.