Today we’d like to introduce you to Marina Pahountis
Hi Marina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. From an early age, I turned to art and music—not just as passions but as a refuge. The piano became my sanctuary, and drawing allowed me to create worlds beyond my own. In a home where I often felt detached, creativity became my way of making sense of the chaos around me.
By my late teens and twenties, I was searching for something more—a sense of community, a deeper connection. I moved around the country, but I quickly realized I wasn’t built to fit into a mold. I made a conscious choice to embrace my uniqueness, letting it guide me deeper into art, music, and faith.
Life happened, and for years, I lost touch with the piano. But in my mid-20s, I found my way back—to music, to God, and to the creative force that had always been within me. That reconnection became the foundation of my artistic and spiritual rebirth, leading to Cerebral Serenade Art—a name born from my three greatest loves: music, visual art, and the profound complexity of human existence.
My work reflects these intertwined passions—intricate, intuitive, and spiritually evocative. I began with abstract pen and ink, where every detail mirrored the precision of music. Over time, I incorporated gold leaf, drawn to the way iconography had been a constant visual language in my upbringing in the Greek Orthodox Church. Having healed from the deep religious impact of my past, I was able to see beauty in things beyond the human form—in light, energy, and the unseen. My love for craftsmanship also led me to piano restoration, a practice that feels like breathing life back into something sacred.
Now based in Cary, North Carolina, I continue to create, teach, and share my vision, offering others a space to explore their own spiritual and creative awakenings. Through art and music, I hope to show that even in life’s most chaotic moments, beauty and divinity are always within reach.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. It’s been a journey through shadows and uncertainty, with forces from my past infiltrating my life, making success feel nearly impossible. There were moments when the weight was suffocating—times when everything seemed to conspire against me, leaving me in a constant battle to reclaim control. I learned the hard way about boundaries, trust, and how the absence of support can cost you in ways you never saw coming.
Personal healing, by nature, is a lonely path, and I often found myself isolating to process my pain. Juggling multiple jobs and keeping up a strong persona drained my energy and creative drive, sometimes leaving me feeling unworthy of good things. Overcoming that mental block was a challenge in itself.
But even in the darkest times and understanding the reality that nobody was coming to save me – there was always a fire deep within me. That fire pushed me through, even when everything else was pulling me down. Over the years, it became abundantly clear that fire was the presence of God.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What do you do? What do you specialize in? What are you known for?
I’m an artist, pianist, and storyteller, blending visual art and classical music to bridge the seen and the heard. My art explores spirituality and human existence using intricate detail, iconography, and gold leaf to evoke whatever it’s meant to in each individual person.
What are you most proud of?
What I’m most proud of has evolved. At 17, it was the years of discipline, blood, sweat, and tears that landed me in a top conservatory for piano performance. In my 20s, it was surviving and coming into my power, which then allowed me to see that my art resonated with people and was something I could pursue. Now, in my 30s, it’s my unshakable relationship with God, my spiritual growth, and the honor of being in a position to encourage others to look beyond the seen world and connect with themselves and the divine.
What sets you apart from others?
My art, music, and presence (being a walking art canvas) challenge assumptions and act as a reminder that perception is often misleading and that the sacred and the unexpected can coexist!
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I’ve lived in North Carolina for almost 3 years, and it’s given me exactly what I needed at this stage in my life—calm, clarity, and the space to reconnect with myself and my purpose. I’m so grateful for that.
I have nothing negative to say about this city, however, as an outdoor gal, I do miss the mountains!
Pricing:
- “Divine Love” – $1850
- “Spiritual Awakening” – Original: $680, Prints: $30
- Gold Leaf Commissions: Contact form on website
- Tee shirts: $25 – Visit website
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cerebralserenadeart.com
- Instagram: cerebralserenade
- Facebook: Cerebral Serenade Art
