Beaming Mountain Sunrise II

Beaming Mountain Sunrise II, acrylic on board, 12″x12″x1.5″, 2023 ~SOLD
See Other Available Art: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product-category/paintings-drawings/

This painting is inspired by the vivid atmosphere of a colorfully rising sun in the mountains. From my experience, sunrises seem to be more often subtle so when I catch one that is so bright and magical I know its going to be a special day. For me its an extra treat to witness the brilliantly colored pinks and oranges creating a gentle gradient while a beaming, momentarily pink sun rises quickly from behind the mountains, creating this transient effect.  I love that brief moment when the colors of the landscape become saturated with color after a long night – the mountains change seemingly having no color to having various shades of greens and blues – it is such a lovely sight to see, as fleeting as it may be.

Autumn Enchantment Paintings

Do you often find yourself daydreaming of Fall Magic? I find that each year, Autumn gifts me with the most beautiful views, unique colors and atmospheres, especially when the sun lights up the golden trees and its fading light creates a never before seen pattern in the sky.

I took the above photo while camping at Twin Lakes, Colorado - one of my favorite spots for fall foliage enjoyment. I love exploring the area as well as just sitting back and taking in these kind of views. Each year's visit is a gift and I always see something new. These photos are from September of 2022 when many of the aspens were peaking in brilliantly warm hues. The yellows gleamed, with hints of orange and the start of the leaves getting a little bit crispy and turning brown before they start dropping to the ground, ending the years' color extravaganza which I look forward to all year and am never disappointed.

With these two Autumn mountain vistas, I strove to create an enchanting mountain atmosphere of sunsets/sunrises during the peek fall foliage seen in the surrounding foothills. I take inspiration from magical moments like the evening at Twin Lakes where I caught glimpses of the soft, gentle pinks and yellow accents in the fading light blue sky before darkness sets in. 

Another photos from the same camping trip at Twin Lakes near the foot of Colorado's tallest peak, Mt Elbert. 

Autumn Enchantment II, acrylic painting on board finished in satin varnish, 9″ x 12″ ~SOLD
See Other Available Art: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product-category/paintings-drawings/

Autumn Enchantment I, acrylic painting on board finished in satin varnish, 11″ x 14″ 

Available on Sale at the Aspen and Evergreen Gallery in Estes Park, Colorado

 

 

Beaming Mountain Sunset III

  

Beaming Mountain Sunset III, acrylic on board, 10″x8″x1.5″, 2023 ~SOLD

See Other Available Art: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product-category/paintings-drawings/

 

This painting is inspired by a beaming, setting sun in the mountains. I love that brief magic hour when the colors of the landscape become more intense and vivid. The atmosphere is just right to intensify all the hues, not just in the sky but in the landscape itself. Its as if someone came by and pointed a magic wand at the view and said ‘Be bright and magical but make it quick!’ Momentarily the landscape feels like its ablaze with warmth and color, creating a nearly unreal landscape. Yet those who spend time in the mountains are lucky to enjoy many views like this. I hope that this reminds you of a lovely day in the outdoor.

The painting is varnished in satin, has a signed certificate of authenticity on the back as well as a hanging wire. It is painted on a deep 1.5″ artist board that has a painted accent stripe and is varnished just like the front of the painting. It does not need to be framed for display but if the buyer prefers framed art, the painting is a standard size so sourcing a frame should not be too challenging.

Beaming Mountain Sunsets

Beaming Mountain Sunset I, acrylic on board, 12″x9″x1.5″, 2023 ~SOLD

See Other Available Art : https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product-category/paintings-drawings/

Both of the paintings I shared in this post were inspired by a beaming, setting sun in the mountains. The atmosphere is just right to intensify all the colors and momentarily make the landscape feel like its ablaze with warmth and color, creating a nearly unreal landscape. Yet those who spend a lot of time in the mountains may have been lucky enough to witness such a phenomenon. And if you have not seen a similar scene in person, I hope that it inspires you to seek it out.

 

Often when I paint, I enjoy exploring colors and compositions in groups. This allows me to paint more freely and to let the ideas and inspiration overflow onto an extra substrate, or if I am feeling particularly full of inspiration, it may be more. I loved painting these new vivid vistas and hope to find some time to dive back into these colors soon! 

Beaming Mountain Sunset II, acrylic on board, 10″x8″x1.5″, 2023 ~SOLD

See Other Available Art: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product-category/paintings-drawings/

 

Wintry Night Sky Symphony

Wintry Night Sky Symphony, acrylic on board, 24"x14" (25"x15" framed), 2023
Available at the Two Old Crows Gallery in Pagosa Springs, Colorado: https://twooldcrowsps.com/kasia-polkowska/

Every night that I go to bed, I look out my window toward the cosmos. Its not exactly intentional. I've never been a particularly cosmic person, growing up in Warsaw, Poland and then in the NJ suburbs and finally New York City in my early adulthood, I wasn't exposed to the magnificence of the night sky on a regular basis. As I became immersed in the great outdoors in my early adulthood, I got to enjoy the night sky more and more. 

Today, I live on the boarder of the National Forest in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. My bed is right next to a window that exposes the nightly display of stars or the moon to me on a nightly basis. Its a unique experience for me to look out toward the universe before checking out for the night. It fills me with wonder and awe. I look out toward the trees and know that the Weminuche Wilderness is just a bit beyond there. It is the largest wilderness area in Colorado and is filled with what seems like an infinite layer of mountains. The sky out there is beyond magical. I think of all of this each night, of the mystery, the endless beauty and wonder out in those mountains, much of which happens at night while we all sleep in our homes. These days, I am more drawn to the mysteries and beauty of the night sky and that is more and more present in my art.

Prior to Framing

Prior to Framing

 

Autumn Mountain Vista Paintings

As the Summer began nearing an end my excitement for Autumn began to grow, I embarked on a new series of landscapes - my 2022 Autumn Collection. Having lived in Colorado for over a decade now, I've gathered enough inspiration for a lifetime. It was time to put some of that to work!    

I set out to paint and the colorful vistas began to pour out of me. It was incredible to see all these scenes come together. I drew on so many beautiful memories from camping and hiking trips around the state. I've only started to paint again about 2 years ago so this was my first official series. I could not be happier with how it turned out.

 Autumn Crescent Moon, acrylic on board, 24″x48″, 2022

Available: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/autumn-crescent-moon/

If you are browsing my blog, please let me know which Autumn Landscape is your favorite? I'd love to see what people are drawn to and why if you'd like to share - thank you for looking! I hope you have all had a beautiful Autumn filled with wonderful imagery, smells and warm treats.

My Autumn Art Sale will be coming to a closing this month, later in November. Some of these are still available for purchase which can be set up via my custom monthly payment plan and shipped internationally: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product-category/paintings-drawings/ Email any questions to kpolkowska@gmail.com

 

 

 Rosy Autumn Evening, acrylic on board, 11″x14″ , 2022 ~SOLD  

 

 

Rosy Autumn Evening II, acrylic on board, 9″x12″ , 2022 ~SOLD

 

 

 

Autumn Enchantment I, acrylic on board, 11x14″, 2022
Available: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/autumn-enchantment-i-11x14/

 

Autumn Enchantment III, acrylic on board, 8″x10″, 2022 ~SOLD

 

 Autumn Enchantment II, acrylic on board, 9"x12″, 2022
Available: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/autumn-enchantment-ii-9x12/ 

 

 

Autumn Enchantment IV, acrylic on board, 8″x10″, 2022 ~SOLD

 

 

Autumn Equinox, acrylic on board, 24″x24″ framed , 2022

Available: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/autumn-equinox-24x24-framed/ 

 

 

Golden Canopy, acrylic on board, 11″x14″, 2022 ~SOLD

 

The Last Bloom, acrylic on board, 9″x12″ , 2022 ~SOLD

 

 

Clearing Amid the Clouds, acrylic on board, 17″x25″ framed , 2022
Available: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/clearing-amid-the-clouds-16x24-framed/

 

 

Milkyway Above the Aspens I, acrylic on board, 10″x8″, 2022 ~SOLD

 

 

Milkyway Above the Aspens II, acrylic on board, 10″x8″, 2022 ~SOLD

 

 

Autumn Emerges, acrylic on board, 24″x24″ framed , 2022 ~SOLD

 

 

Looming Autumn Storm I, acrylic on board, 10″x8″, 2022 ~SOLD

 

 

Crisp Autumn Day, acrylic on board, 46″x34″ (48″x36″framed), 2022

Available: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/crisp-autumn-day-48x36-coming-soon/

 

 

Looming Autumn Storm II, acrylic on board, 10″x8″, 2022 ~SOLD

 

Lastly I'd like to share an exciting project for which one of the above paintings has been chosen - a Set of 4 Vinyl Art Stickers. 

This sticker is now available via a Pre-Sale: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/pre-sale-3-5-durable-exterior-quality-vinyl-sticker-autumn-emerges/