Mandala Sunrise

Mandala Sunrise, acrylic on art board, 11"x14", 2023 

Available via the Aspen and Evergreen Gallery in Estes Park, Colorado

Starry Night Above the Rockies II

 

Starry Night Above the Rockies II, acrylic on art board, 14"x11", 2023 ~SOLD
See Other Available Art Here: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product-category/paintings-drawings/

 

Beaming Mountain Sunset V

 

Beaming Mountain Sunset V, acrylic on art board, 11"x14", 2023 ~SOLD

See Other Available Art: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/

Starry Night Above the Rockies I

Starry Night Above the Rockies I, acrylic on art board, 11"x14", 2023 ~SOLD

See Other Available Art: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/

Beaming Mountain Sunrise IV

Beaming Mountain Sunrise IV, acrylic on art board, 14"x11", 2023
Available via the Aspen and Evergreen Gallery in Estes Park, Colorado

Reawakening

Reawakening, acrylic on board, 48"x48" framed, 2023 ~Available
Visit Kasia's Online Art Shop: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/reawekening-48-x-48/

The Painting is also available as a Giclee Print in various sizes: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/reawekening-48-x-48/

I live in the foothills of the San Juan Mountains in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. I love spending time in the mountains, taking in the views of the mountains that seem to go on forever. When the sun rises from behind the mountains and lights up the landscape, giving it a new life, waking it up for the day ahead - that moment is so special. A couple of years ago, I created 2 sets of lotus sculptures to express the magic and the power of new beginnings that each day brings us.

I created the above set of 5 lotus flower sculptures covered in hand cut glass mosaic and handmade ceramic tiles I made in the studio. The flowers face East toward Sangre de Cristo Mountains seen from my 40 acre Mystic Valley Sculpture Park in Mosca, Colorado. These lotus flowers are symbolic relics, opening up toward the rising sun that comes up from our beautiful Mt Blanca. On a different part of the property, I installed my other 5 lotus flowers which face the West toward San Juan Mountains and the setting sun. Seen below, they have more of a night shade color scheme. They represent the flowers getting ready to close for the night. Together these 10 flowers represent the cycle of new beginnings, a theme I love to explore. 

 I looked back on these sculpture installations while painting the sky in the above newest painting.

Above is the painting in-progress - the mountains complete and the sky is in the works! I included the pinks form my day time lotus sculptures as well as the blues form the night shade sculptures. In the sky, I added the lotus pattern to express the early morning as a time of renewal and reawakening, encouraging opening up toward the sun just like the lotus flower does each morning.

Below is a glimpse into my little painting nook in the studio. Working on a lot of this painting was a sort of meditative process. My mind was very busy and I was very conscious of that. I tried to relax and breath as I added thousands of tiny, colorful strokes to this relaxing vista. I hope that it has a calming effect on whomever looks at it as I know we all need that in our life from time to time, to be reminded of the stillness and gentle beauty of the rising sun in a pristine, mountain setting.

 Below are some process shots of the making of this painting.

The Bloom Series Sculptures

Many people recognize me as an artist for my 2d mosaic landscape work as well as my outdoor mosaic sculpture as I have been creating and teaching mosaic art since 2007. In the last couple of years, I picked up the paintbrush after a 15 year break from the medium and today painting has once again become the main focus of my creative life. Still, I create large outdoor sculpture as my secondary passion and have expanded from beyond mosaics to large, welded steel forms. These works are exhibited each year in juried annual art exhibits though out Colorado as well as permanently installed in the 40 acre sculpture park I am building near the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Below is a peak at my new series of sculpture called 'Bloom'.

 

The series 'Bloom' is rooted in the intricate folk art of paper cutting from Poland, my place of birth. With 'Bloom III', I wanted to share the wonder that these forms inspire in me, hoping that the sculpture can do the same for others. The bright colors and fun, bulbous shapes are made to be eye catching, grabbing the viewer and pulling them in for a moment, adding something unique to their day out on the town. (Contact kpolkowska@gmail.com to order a custom 7.5ft tall flower sculpture or a set)

For all of my art across the mediums I love exploring, I take inspiration from what I find most beautiful in my surroundings as well as my life experiences. With my sculptures I aim to add beauty and interest to new places where the passerby can feel uplifted, inspired and discover something new. Above and below are two examples of my hand made mosaic sculpture - both are permanently installed at Mystic Valley Sculpture Park in Colorado - a collaborative art project with my life partner Kyle.