Quantcast
Channel: Kasia Polkowska Art
Viewing all 416 articles
Browse latest View live
↧

Blue Lotus

November 28, 2015, 8:55 am
$
0
0
Blue Lotus, stained glass mosaic, 34.5" x 34.5" (36" x 36" framed), 2015 ~SOLD

Here is a photo of my latest mosaic commission. Just like all of my flower designs, this kind of a mosaic is available to be commissioned in any color and size. Email kpolkowska@gmail.com for more info.

 
Above you can see me holding one of the hand cut petals.  All the petals in the mosaic are hand cut - no grinder, no saw - just Kasi!

 Size comparison - his new flower will measure to be 3ft.

 Making progress and trying to keep those annoying glass shards off of my mosaic.

 
Morning light hitting my work bench.

 
Ready to glue!!!

 It's been glued with super Kyle's help. Now onto my favorite part - grouting!!!

 
Grouting!!!

  All ready for shipping! 


↧
Search

The Making of a Community Mural Project

July 18, 2017, 10:17 am
$
0
0
Here is the making of our first community mosaic mural project! We had 36 volunteers come to our studio to learn how to use basic tools to shape glass and how to arrange it into a pattern at no cost to them.  I precut all the glass for the volunteers to work with and they each got to build a section of the mural with my help and guidance.

In total there were 93 sections that made up the finished design.  In addition to the volunteers, Kyle and I got to create many of the sections of the project.  Once all the pieces were ready, Kyle and I glued them on the the custom substrate Kyle built.  Then we grouted and installed it into the steal frame and finally onto the building.

Below you can see a few photos of our volunteers diligently working in our studio and us getting the mosaic ready for installation. For more photos, take a look our project photo album here: Community Mural Project

Clockwise from the top: Kyle, Eva, Sam, Bryce and Emily.
From the Left: Emily, Jeff, Me giving a demo and Kelsey.
Jeff and Hollie adding their sections to the layout - almost ready for gluing!
Gluing the mural, one section at a time.
Creating a map of who created which section so the volunteers can easily locate their pieces. 
Peeling the tape after the adhesive dried.
Cleaning the glass prior to grouting. 
Grouting the mosaic.
Close up.  Grouting with epoxy grout is a little bit more work than the standard grout but its perfect for the outdoors!
Polishing the grouted mosaic.
Close up of the signature plaque for the mural.
We even made the paper!
To read the full article, click Community Comes Together to Construct a Mural

↧
↧

Limited Edition Art Print

February 14, 2018, 2:07 pm
$
0
0
Pre-Order here: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/pre-order-sale/ For a limited time, I am having a Pre-Order Sale on the Ursus~Borealis Limited Edition (100) Archival Giclee Art Print.


Prints will be shipping out at the beginning of March 2018. Ursus Borealis is an 11″x17″ archival giclee print signed by the artist – limited edition of 100. Printed on watercolor paper in Boulder, Colorado. Packed in a tube for safe shipping. Price includes shipping and handling with in the Continental US. ~The suggested frame and mat are not included.



Description:
  • This is a Limited Edition Archival Giclee Print numbered and signed by the Artist.
  • Edition Number is 100
  • It is 11″x17″.
  • It is printed with archival inks on high quality watercolor paper in Boulder, Colorado.
  • It is hand signed by the artist.
  • It is packed in a tube for safe shipping.
  • Shipping and Handling is included in the price (Continental US Only).
  • IMPORTANT: The suggested frame and mat from the photo are not included.
  • Suggested size of frame from photo is 18″x24″ and the suggested mat 2.5″.
  • Get the Frame and Mat via Frame It Easy: https://www.frameiteasy.com/
Buy the print here: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/pre-order-sale/
↧

Green Hills

March 12, 2018, 6:38 pm
$
0
0
Green Hills - Yellowstone, a framed stained glass mosaic 25"x49", 2018 ~Available

This mosaic was inspired by my first visit to Yellowstone in 2012. One day while driving to go hiking, this view caught my attention. We pulled over at a look out to admire the reflection of the landscape in a small lake that was as still as glass. We walked around and marveled at the serenity while little songbirds flew around us. 

 Photo I took at the lake.

The beginning of the mosaic. I used a light print our of my photo as a composition guide, while the rest of the map for my mosaic was in my head.

Phew ... the trees in this piece got to be pretty small which required a ton of time. It felt really good to be moving onto the sky.

The sky was my favorite part of this mosaic. I love this blue glass. With it and the pattern I created, I worked to capture the feeling of the bluebird sky wrapping around the mountain.

 After peeling the tape, prior to grouting.

 Grouting in black to accentuate the pattern in the sky.

 Grouting detail.
↧

Hiking to Grinnell Glacier

March 18, 2018, 12:22 pm
$
0
0
I am holding my new painting to show scale. It is 32"x24" in size. I have not actually painted since 2006 but have recently been inspired by watching my life and creative partner Kyle Cunniff work his magic with the paintbrush. You can see Kyle's work on his Instagram account KyleCunniffArt https://www.instagram.com/kylecunniffart/

The painting was inspired by my trips to Glacier National Park in Montana. Hiking up the trail to Grinnell Glacier was a beautiful introduction to the splendor of the park. As we came up towards Lake Josephine (seen in the above photo), it was a jaw-dropping moment. The vegetation was so lush and green but there was enough of a clearing along the shoreline to reveal the surrounding landscape while framing it out beautifully. 

 Detail of Lake Josephine.

 Detail of the trees and Mt Gould.

 Detail of the tree covered foothill inf front of Mt Gould.

 Detail of the beargrass and my signature.

Hiking to Grinnell Glacier, watercolor on board, 32"x24", 2018 
Available for Sale:   https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/
↧
↧

Teton Mounains in Earthtones

December 21, 2015, 4:18 pm
$
0
0
Tetons, stained glass mosaic on board, 14" x 24.5" (15.5" x 26" framed), 2015 
Available for Sale:https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product-category/small-originals/

This version of the Tetons came about during the late fall, early winter here in Colorado.  The land is brown.  The grass is straw.  The colors are subdued.  This is the West.  During this time, I often time travel, not just to different seasons but also places where I've took good memories from.  The Teton Mountains are just that.  


I've been thinking about those mountains, in those sepia tones before the snow covers them.  After the snow melts but the bright spring hues have not come back yet.  Then I add the sun!  The sun always brings back the magic.  In this mosaic I am looking at this beloved landscape being brought back to life during Magic Hour, that time during the day when it may be getting colder as the sun is calling it a night but not before reminding us of its majestic powers to do just what you see here.

 The beginning. 

 All of the glass is hand picked and hand cut to create the best effect.

 All ready to glue. 

 Grouting.
↧

Teton Alpenglow

December 27, 2015, 9:01 am
$
0
0
Teton Alpenglow, stained glass mosaic, 16" x 25" (17.5" x 26.5" framed), 2015 
Available:https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/teton-alpenglow/

This mosaic is inspired by the soft rosy light that sometimes hits the legendary Teton Mountains in Wyoming during sunrise.  These mountains always look majestic.  They are always awe inspiring.  The alpenglow though is an extra special sight to see.  It is so brief that you want to breath in every moment of it.  When the Tetons are surrounded by alpenglow, one really does feel like on a set of a fairytale but it is even better because it real.  Time stops and you can't take your eyes off of the mountains.  The atmosphere is nothing short of magic, real magic here on earth.  I created this mosaic as a reminder that these places are real, that these moments are real but if you don't wake up early and don't make the effort, you'll think that this kind of magic only happens in our imaginations. 

 Testing out my glass choice for the sky.

 Smoothies - what keeps me going in the studio =)

 Progress.

 All glued!

 The tape is peeled - all ready for grouting!

Grouting!
↧

Trouvaille

April 26, 2018, 1:27 pm
$
0
0
Trouvaille has been accepted into the 2018 Alamosa Artscape Public Art Program. It will be installed in the beginning of September and will be on display for a year. 

Trouvaille, a stained glass mosaic sculpture, 84" x 22", 2018

Going back to childhood, many people may recall the excitement of finding a feather on the ground. It was a magical moment and it seemed that the feather was a gift from above. 


People may not realize but various cultures around the world also believed that feathers had a connection to the heavens. Some believed that they carried messages from the gods. Stumbling upon a feather is believed to be a good omen, a sign that you are on the right path. It is a message to soar above where you are spiritually and to look at the world from a higher perspective. 

 
This mosaic feather was created with that in-mind, to be a good omen for the passerby's. It aims to be an uplifting landmark and to delight visitors and residents a like, to provide a sensory experience of whimsical patterns, a warm welcoming color palette and a spiritual connection to its location. 

Concept Sketch for the proposed sculpture prior to completion.


Both sides of the sculpture were decorated with a handcut stained glass mosaic designed by Kasia.


Kyle Cunniff, Kasia's creative and life partner, assisted in the gluing and grouting process. He also did the technical drawings for the fabrication of the steel structure as well as created and atached the wedi parts to the steel. Kasia and Kyle often work very closely on their individual sculpture projects, each offering their unique expertise in the arts.
↧
Search

Chipeta-Mai ~ A Handcrafted Glass Matryoshka Sculpture

April 27, 2018, 5:20 pm
$
0
0
This collaborative outdoor sculpture created by artist team Kasia Polkowska and Kyle Cunniff will be displayed for the year starting on June 14, 2018 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Chipeta-Mai, a stained glass mosaic sculpture, 48"x24", 2018 by Kasia Polkowska and Kyle Cunniff (photographed in the San Luis Valley in front of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Colorado)

Chipeta-Mai is a cross-cultural matryoshka doll. Historically, the first Matryoshka Doll was made in Russia and has since become a symbol in Eastern European Culture where Kasia was born.


This doll was sculpted by hand by Kyle who worked to inspire the nostalgia one often feels when laying eyes on the form of a nesting doll. The doll is adorned in a bright, colorful, hand cut stained glass mosaic pattern created by Kasia. 


To give her a sense of place, she was named to honor the people who's ancestral land we inhabit, focusing on Colorado where the artist team lives. Chipeta was a famous Ute woman known for diplomacy while Mai (Navajo for bright flower) was added to the end of her name for the flower she bears on her belly as many traditional matryoshkas do. 


The warm southwestern colors of the doll further reflect the state where she was realized. The bright orange that wraps around her belly mirrors the sedimentary beds of deep-red and pink sandstone seen jutting out of the soil along the front range of Colorado. 


Her headscarf was inspired by the bright blue sky that's so often filled with sunshine and hangs high above the mountains. 


This doll is a modern artifact emulating the artists' interest in the landscape they inhabit as well as the people that roamed that land long before them.
↧
↧

Bear Witness

July 5, 2018, 8:40 pm
$
0
0
Bear Witness, a stained glass mosaic silhouette, 27"x33",  2018
Available for Sale: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/wildfire/

This bear is s a metaphor that shows the reality and the danger of forest fires which the Mountain West faces every summer. The wildlife lives in that fragile landscape and has to find their way out when they are faced with the flames and the smoke of their habitat burning away. My Bear is their representative. It is walking though the burning landscape, being the much needed voice of its wild friends. 

Naturally many people are are also being displaced and loosing everything. There is nothing light about the issue of thousands of acres of land burning without containment. I hope that my recent work sheds some light on an issue many people don’t understand. Here in the West you really have to practice fire safety when the fire danger is high. We don’t get much rain and the danger to us all is very real. Let’s all hope for rain, low wind and send strength to the brave firefighters.

Close Up - the glass looks spectacular when the light hits it just right!

While I worked on this mosaic, surrounding wildfires burned thousands of acres of forest in mountains to the East, West an North of the San Luis Valley where I live.

View of the rising smoke from my daily walk along the Rio Grande. Recently the mountains were actually fully engulfed by the smoke and are no longer visible.


A close up of the fire East of Mt Blanca.

I hope that this mosaic helps to increase forest fire awareness as each year so many people, animals and forests are touched by the effects of fire, often wildfires that were caused by people which is the most devastating part.

The beginning of the project. Here I am working on my copyrighted bear silhouette. This is a special template I've created for my bear related projects.


Initially I was considering creating a pink sunset under the bear's back. But while testing my color palette, the orange glass screamed wildfire and this bear took a turn toward becoming a forest fire awareness piece.

 The stained glass is all cut, arranged and taped for gluing!

A close up of the glass shapes - each piece is hand cut to perfectly fit against its neighbors.

 My grouting set up.

Grouting the mosaic to give it a finished look and to protect the glass edges along the silhouette.

Another look at the finished mosaic. Here the light hits it a bit differently, showing a different characteristic of the glass.
↧

The Great Wide Open Sculpture Valley

July 26, 2018, 3:23 pm
$
0
0
My art and life partner Kyle Cunniff are embarking on our most ambitious art collaboration yet - a 40 acre sculpture park in close proximity to the Great Sand Dunes National Park near where we currently live and create our art. This latest project will combine all of our talents, passions and push our imagination to the next level and beyond! Below is part of the view from our property - pretty wild!


We have called the San Luis Valley home for the last two years. The landscape here is unlike any place we have lived before. It is more vast than the unfamiliar eye can grasp. It is surrounded by mountains in every direction - the Sangre De Cristo Range to the East  and the San Juans to the West. Most incredibly, it is home to one of the most unique natural wonders I've ever experienced - the Great Sand Dunes which are the tallest dunes in North America.


Here in the valley is where we began creating outdoor sculpture, something we've been wanting to dive into for years but were only able to begin experimenting with in our spacious art studio in Alamosa. When it came time to photograph our first collaborative sculpture, it seemed only natural do do it among the brush with the majestic 14,344ft Blanca Peak in the background. This mountain is the landmark feature in this part of the valley and is so close to where we live.



We've been busy cleaning up the property and creating a small road. Progress has been slow, but steady. Right now its just Kyle and me working when we can but probably the biggest factor in our timeline is actually the smallest - our beautiful nine month old son who only allows us to work on the property for a couple hours a day. This will of course change once we build him, his very own sculptural playground but lets not get ahead of ourselves ... yet ... Despite some limiting factors, we are determined and with each hour we are getting closer to start adding sculptural accents to this lovely patch of land.


With the completion of each new sculpture, we've been taking more photos in the great wide open landscape of the valley. During each photo-shoot, we were mesmerized by how incredible the colorful sculpture looked set among the earth-tone landscape of the high dessert of the valley. My mind began to race with possibilities. Quickly the idea of a sculpture park evolved during our conversations of what is next for the K&K Team!



Being out in this kind of great, wide open landscape is unlike other experiences in the outdoors. There is something unique in the desert air that calls for the creative juices to flow. We heard the wind call upon us and set into action! No idea big or small was ever realized with out effort and enthusiasm. We have both. The gears are in motion as we work to sprinkle colorful sculpture among the lovely and very hardy brush.



We've began work on the property and have preliminary plans of the first 10 sculpture that we'll be adding to the park by the end of 2018. I will post updates here as well as on the Enchanted Valley Sculpture Park website (name to be determined yet). Sculpture Sponsorship will be available as well as other opportunities to contribute to this truly unique project. 

Meanwhile if you would like to help support the park, purchasing my art via my online shop is the best way to help propel this project forward: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/ 

To entice support, I am having a HUGE SALE to help raise funds for the first stages of the park. If you'd like to help in other ways, please email me at kpolkowska@gmail.com
↧

Huge Art SALE!!!

August 9, 2018, 1:04 pm
$
0
0
I'm currently having the biggest SALE of the year. Some of my small to medium pieces are pretty heavily discounted as I'm working to clear as much space in my studio as I can (see previous post to see why). Take a look at one of the pieces from my Super Sale below or visit the shop for more info: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/


Above I am holding 'Blue Lotus on Purple' a custom framed mosaic, 23"x23". This week it is only $695 ($1,100 regular price). This actually includes shipping within the US so its an extra sweet deal! 

Why such a steep sale? As I'm entering a new chapter with my art, I'd love to find good homes for some of my older work. The profits from this week's sales will all be put back into sculpture projects in the sculpture park I am currently designing with my life and art partner Kyle Cunniff. 

Everyone wins =)  Lucky buyers acquire affordable, custom framed art and a couple of artists get to keep making more colorful, whimsical art to share with all of you! 



Above are some of the pieces that have sold this week via my special. All buyers received a bonus gift, a free artist proof of the Ursus Borealis print. Any one who purchases a mosaic or a metal print this week will receive an artist proof of the print as well! ($55 value)
↧

Art Sale

August 29, 2018, 2:16 pm
$
0
0
I'm currently having an Art SALE! My small to medium pieces are heavily discounted as I'm working to clear space in my studio. Visit my art shop to see all available work: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/


Above is a nice size comparison of  'Blue Lotus on Purple' a custom framed mosaic, 23"x23". This week it is only $595 ($1,100 regular price). This actually includes shipping within the US so its an extra sweet deal!. Visit the listing for this mosaic: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/purple-lotus-on-blue/
↧
↧

Bear Witness Stickers Are Here!

September 5, 2018, 2:03 pm
$
0
0
Here are my first ever stickers! They are the thick vinyl die cut stickers often seen in National Park Gift Shops. I'm a notorious road tripper and a park visitor and I just LOVE getting stickers on my travels - they are my go-to souvenir! I could not be more excited to be releasing one of my mosaics as a sticker for you all to enjoy and to help spread wildfire awareness with. Purchase stickers here: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/bear-witness-set-of-both-stickers/

Both versions of the Bear Witness sticker are 4"x4.75" in size
These are perfect for any surface – stick one on your water bottle, growler, car, bike, helmet, other gear, laptop, etc. They are durable, dishwasher safe and weather resistant. A UV laminate protects the stickers from the sun and scratches, keeping them from fading.

5% of the Artist’s profit will be donated annually to Colorado State Forest Service‘sRestoring Colorado’s Forests Fund which “provides tree seedlings that will be planted on lands most severely impacted by wildfires and other disasters”.

Here I am holding the actual mosaic which I photographed to become the sticker - it changes color in the light so I am releasing two versions for a limited time.
Bear Witness, a stained glass mosaic silhouette, 27"x33",  2018
Available for Sale: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/wildfire/
I worked on this mosaic, while numerous wildfires raged here in Colorado. Surrounding wildfires burned thousands of acres of forest in mountains to the East, West an North of the San Luis Valley where I live. My bear is s a metaphor showing the reality and the danger of forest fires which the Mountain West faces every summer. 
 
This is the regular version of the sticker when the light reveals the deep purple of the trees in the foreground.

Here the wildlife lives in a fragile landscape and has to find its way out when it is faced with the flames and the smoke of their habitat burning away. My Bear is their representative. It is walking though the burning landscape, being the much needed voice of its wild friends. 

This is the special edition of the sticker when the light catches the glass in the foreground to reveal the iridescent quality of the deep purple glass.
Naturally many people are are also being displaced and loosing everything. There is nothing light about the issue of thousands of acres of land burning without containment. I hope that my recent work sheds some light on an issue many people don’t understand. Here in the West you really have to practice fire safety when the fire danger is high. We don’t get much rain and the danger to us all is very real. In the hot summers, we have to be cautious and hope for rain, low wind and send strength to the brave firefighters when the flames ignite.

Purchase stickers here: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/bear-witness-set-of-both-stickers/ 

↧

Holiday Art Sale

November 15, 2018, 8:06 pm
$
0
0
The holidays are fast approaching! This is a perfect time to shop for new art for your home or for a loved one because lots of artists are having huge end of the year sale. I'm one of those artists =) Visit my art shop to see all the special deals I've put together to help make this time of the year even sweeter! https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/


Above is one of the many discounted pieces. This one is called 'The Scarlet Lotus'. It measures 36"x36" and is custom framed in hardwood. It has a hanging wire on the back and is ready to hang on your wall =) The regular price is $2,250 this includes the $500 shipping and crating charge. During the Sale, The Scarlet Lotus is $1,500 - this includes the shipping/crating charge. Don't miss it! https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/red-lotus-flower/
↧
Search

End of the Year Art Sale

December 7, 2018, 1:44 pm
$
0
0
Its that time of the year again =) The year is quickly coming to an end, I'm making plans for all sorts of new projects so I need some extra room in the studio. So I'm having a sale on a lot of my work, visit my shop linked here to see the great deals I've put together: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/


My popular Limited Edition Print "Ursus Borealis" is on sale. Plus you get two free vinyl stickers of "Bear Witness" with each print order. This deal ends on December 26, 2018 here: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/ursus-borealis/


Some of my large landscapes are also on sale. Above you can see "Green Mountains" which is currently listed for 50% of its regular price. See all my large landscapes that are currently available here: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product-category/landscape-mosaics/

Owls are also discounted, including "Gaia - Goddess of Nature" seen below. See more owls here: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product-category/owl-mosaics/


And of course, I have a few more Lotus Flower Mosaics in stock, check those out here: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product-category/floral-and-geometric-mosaics/ 



↧

Exploration of Owls as Mosaics

January 10, 2019, 3:57 pm
$
0
0
In 2012 I created my first mosaic owl and it was love at first sight - the beginning of whimsical journey of exploring this magnificent bird in glass form. 

One day while researching a new project idea, I kept stumbling upon beautiful photos of horned owls. I was so drawn to these birds that I had to draw one of my own. I loved exploring the patterns of the feathers and studying the intense eyes to create my very own horned owl seen in the below photo. 


Night Owl, a stained glass mosaic ~SOLD

Even though landscape has been the primary focus for my work, I love revisiting the owl. Each project has allowed me to use a different part of my design brain. I love reinventing this subject and creating new patterns while hand cutting and arranging the glass for each new mosaic.

Below I'm sharing some of the characters that I've given life to over the years. They range from momentous and elegant birds to very playful, silly creatures. I hope that you enjoy a glimpse into my journey.



Freya – The Snowy Owl, a framed stained glass mosaic owl, 21″ x 15″ 
Available: See Freya - The Snowy Owl in My Online Art Shop

Meet Freya, my snow owl. Her name originates from Norse mythology. She is the goddess of love as well as beauty, war and death. She is said to have stunning blue eyes and to cry golden tears. I found this particularly fitting for my snowy owl whom is surrounded by golden tear drop shapes which I orininally designed as aspen leaves. Interestingly enough, snowy owls rarely make the woods their home but that is not to say that Freya hasn’t stopped in the forest to enjoy the rustling of the golden aspens. Snowy owls hunt during the day so she may also be patiently waiting for a tasty treat.
Gaia – Goddess of Nature, a framed stained glass mosaic, 45″x25″
With this project, I wanted to go big, to create a proper tribute to this incredibly beautiful bird. I chose the barred owl as it is naturally a pretty large owl and it has a very powerful presence.

During daylight hours, barred owls roost quietly in the forest, just like my owl, Gaia, who is roosting in the leafy, green tree. My owl unlike the rest of the barred owls is very light in color. I wanted her to be illuminated and to shine brightly among the lushes foliage. 

As her creator, I worked to give her great poise, strength and beauty. While I cut and arranged the glass over my charcoal sketch, what emerged before me seemed to vibrate magic as I looked down into this magnificent bird’s eyes. I decided that she is a goddess of nature. I named her Gaia after the Greek Mythological figure, the mother of all life, the goddess of Earth.


Ice Princess, a stained glass mosaic silhouette, 17.5″ x 8.5″ ~SOLD

With this design, I wanted to do something different. I wanted the mosaic owl to stand on its own without a background and a frame. I created the owl silhouette, something that I've revisited many times since. I chose a barn owl for this project because it is so unique and intriguing to me.

The barn owl is really beautiful, graceful bird. It is reminiscent of a knight armored in feathers – that’s what I thought of when I was designing this one along with her partner seen further down this post.

One of the most unique features of the barn owl is its heart-shaped face. This characteristic made me think of the femininity and the prettiness of this bird. Naturally she evolved into a princess.


Java the Barn Owl, stained glass mosaic, 30″x20″ (31″x21 framed)
Available: See Java the Barn Owl in My Online Art Shop 

Java the Barn owl is a serious, silent huntress of the night. Here she is looking very calm and collected, set against a wooden board. Maybe she is taking a rest in a beautiful barn before she set out for her nightly haunt.

This particular owl was was born out of my love for this java colored stained glass created by Kokomo. The colors are mixed in such a way that they create unique and beautiful patterns in the glass - some may say reminiscent of a coffee, maybe an espresso. I searched out a perfect sheet in which I saw my barn owl adorned in glass feathers. I studied the sheet of glass carefully, drawing out all of my shapes and feathers in different sections of the sheet prior to cutting. This was a very calculated project as it was all about letting the patterns in the glass dictate my design.

The plywood into which the mosaic was inserted was as carefully picked out. I searched out a piece of wood with a beautiful woodgrain. Then it was carefully stained and finished to accentuate the glass. The frame was treated with the same care, being matched to the stained glass.


Barn Owl In Camouflage Tights, 16.5″x7.5″x5/8″, a stained glass mosaic silhouette ~SOLD

Here is another barn owl. Can you tell I love these? Besides the barn owl being so pretty, I also see a little bit of whimsy when I look at a real one. What really catches my eye are its long, slender legs. This is where I thought I could sneak in a little bit of humor. 

I dressed the silly, little legs of my owl in tights, not just any tights but camouflage, because, well its an owl, you gotta add a bit of camouflage because these birds are very sneaky and very clever, often blending in so beautifully with their environment. This little owl has always made me laugh a little bit while reminding me of the beauty and mystery of the the world of the night where owls swoop silently through the darkness.



Whoo-Dini, a framed stained glass mosaic owl, 21″ x 15”
Available: See Whoo-Dini the Owl in My Online Art Shop 

Whoo-Dini is another example of a very playful design. With this one I went in a much more whimsical and graphic direction. Stripes and triangles are symbolic feathers in this mosaic. This bird is pretty far from reality but is still very much recognizable as an owl. I love finding that balance with the imaginary where the artist veers away from the norm and enters the playful, child state where anything is possible. 


Forest Owl, stained glass mosaic, 12" x 24" ~SOLD

This was actually the second owl I've ever made. She is sitting amongst the trees on a foggy night, waiting to catch a midnight snack. I wanted it to be playful and shaggy. The night sky behind her is made of mostly iridescent and mirror glass so it has a nice shimmer to the moving eye. 


Hootie, a framed stained glass mosaic owl, 21″ x 15”
Available: See Hootie the Owl in My Online Art Shop 

This design is one of the bunch that I've created to share with my online mosaic owl class students. I wanted it to be a very sweet bird that many people would be drawn to and would want to create as they learn my mosaic technique. I've added lots of fun lessons into this design, including creating a color gradient. 

I had so much fun choosing the color palette, using some of my favorite glass colors. Today this little guy hangs in my studio while it awaits its forever home. It looks over me working on my mosaic projects and makes me smile each time I look in its direction. That is a common theme I've found in my owl series, each one has allowed me to focus on something different while I take a short break from my landscape and sculpture work. Each one is a breath of fresh air where I get to play =)



Autumn Owl, stained glass mosaic, 22" x 17" (18" x 23.5" framed) ~SOLD

This owl was inspired by the autumn colors. I wanted it to be warm and sweet. I imagined it sitting up in a tree on a perfectly warm and bright day, with the beautiful smell of autumn in the air. Its just hanging out, practicing puffing out its feathers for the colder winter days that are approaching.



Percy, a framed stained glass mosaic owl, 21″ x 15”
Available: See Percy the Owl in My Online Art Shop 

I feel that owls really lend themselves to becoming a silly character. I think its something about the eyes and not having a defined neck. Percy was one of those silly creatures for me. I think he has a very endearing sweetness about him that warms my heart. 


Professor Hoodwink, stained glass mosaic, 19"x15", 2014 ~SOLD

Now speaking of silly, Professor Hoodwink is the epiphany of that word. I literally laughed the whole way through while cutting and arranging glass onto of my sketch. That's the thing about working on something with eyes, you pretty much start at each other's eyes through out most of the process. This silly creature really captivated me. Its like he put a laughing spell on me. It was wonderful. Even after finishing working on it, I giggled each time I caught its gaze until if found its forever home. It was a really special experience working on something that made me feel so good =)


Rufus, a framed stained glass mosaic owl, 21″ x 15”
Available: See Rufus the Owl in My Online Art Shop

Rufus is the opposite of silly. He is very serious, one may even think he is a bit angry. My niece actually called this design 'Angry Bird' - I loved it. With this pattern, I wanted the owl to be ernest. The few times I've encountered an owl, it had that aurora of importance, strength and poise. I think of this one as a bit of a watchman, guarding its territory.


Owen, a framed stained glass mosaic owl, 21″ x 15” ~SOLD

Owen is my sleepy owl. For this design, I asked myself, what do owls make you think of? That day, the first thing that came to mind was a puffy, round owl closing its eyes. I loved that image and of course went to town to create my own version sleepy, chubby owl. That was actually a few years before I created Owen. Its predecessor was named DrOwlsy. I used the same pattern to create Owen but I added this fun brick pattern for the background.

I hope that you've enjoyed a quick glimpse into my growing owl series. There is a lot more I could say about the making of each one and to share lots of fun process photos but I decided to focus on spotlighting the finished mosaics. I wanted to show how exploring one subject in art can be a very fulfilling experience. There is so many ways to reinvent the owl that honestly, I can imagine spending a lifetime on creating new ones, learning and growing with each creation.

Visit my Online Shop to see the mosaic owls that are still in need of a good forever home: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product-category/owl-mosaics/
↧
↧

Maroon Bells - Autumn Reflection

January 19, 2019, 7:30 am
$
0
0
Maroon Bells - Autumn Reflection, 32"x48", 2018
Available for Sale: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/maroon-bells-autumn-reflection/

This landscape is inspired by an amazing backpacking trip in the Maroon Bells Wilderness back in 2013. The Four Pass Loop starts and finishes at this location. It is incredible! You know if you’ve been here.


Just being at this lake, looking at the Bells framed by the forested cliffs in the clear lake feels like you’ve already arrived at your destination. But the wilderness that you walk into is filled with magic around every corner. Crossing each mountain pass, you feel like you’ve arrived in a new world. How can all these places be within walking distance. 


By the end of the loop, it feels like you’ve walked through hundreds of the most beautiful postcards and then you arrive back at one of the most photographed landscapes in the United States. Being here is a very special experience and leaves lasting impressions on the visitors.

I hand-cut all the glass.

To create a reflection of the landscape, I created stencils for the larger pieces. I numbered other smaller pieces to to help me keep track of the reflection as I created it.

The mosaic in-progress. All the pieces are taped together so they wouldn't move out of place as I worked.


Here I am adding each new, custom-cut glass piece one at a time.

Getting close.


Tape peeling after gluing the glass onto the substrate. Next came grouting followed by grout-painting.


The framing of the mosaic - the last step.

Here I am with my finished, framed mosaic.
↧

Green Mountains

January 22, 2019, 9:30 am
$
0
0

Green Mountains, stained glass mosaic on board (framed), 37.5" x 37.5"
Available for Sale: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/green-mountains/ 

For a long time I've been on a quest to find my perfect landscape. My mind imagined what my heart asked for, a place where my soul could dance. 
On the Camel's Hump Trail in Vermont 
I grew up in various urban and suburban environments with limited access to the outdoors. But as an adult I began to follow that inner compass that would lead me to those places where I could be more in touch with nature. That's one of the reasons I love going on new hikes so much. Will I find the new places that I've imagined?
Close Ups of the glass patterns seen in a cool light.
In my mid 20's I took the plunge, said goodbye to life in Brooklyn and booked it for Vermont - the Green Mountain State!
Somewhere near the top of Camel's Hump
This was a perfect opportunity to find the mountains I've dreamt of and to walk all over them, to look at the incredible fauna close up, to admire the alpine plants near the peaks and to breath in the vast view of the endless mountains getting lost in the distance, blending in with the sky that is so much bigger than all the mountains combined. Living in Vermont, I fell in love with the vivid, lively Green Mountains that the state is known for.
Green Mountains seen in the sunlight outside.
Eventually life took me to Colorado where I actually created this piece in the first few months that I was settling to my life in Boulder. Vermont and its mountains lingered in my mind and in my heart and I wanted to pay tribute to those ancient formations that offer everything from rugged, rocky forests to alpine peaks. This is a special place where I feel that I came alive after beginning to feel like I was shrinking in the big, bustling, beautiful city that is Brooklyn. 
A cairn to help us all find our way up this incredible mountain.
Sometimes, we need more room to spread out, to stretch our legs and to walk for miles and miles to a place like the landscape in my mosaic where we may feel small but we also feel mighty because we are among mother natures most beautiful creations and we got there on our own two feet.
Close Ups of the glass patterns seen in a warm light. 
I combined what inspired me and what I love about the mountains into this glass landscape. This can be anywhere, not just a top Camel's Hump in the magical little pocket of the US that is Vermont. I hope that it evokes the feelings of love and wonder that I have for our beautiful planet and that it inspires others to care for our mountains and forests, to explore them and to leave them as they found them while only taking away good memories.
Here is a mock up of how this mosaic can transform a living space, adding a sprinkle of nature where it may be needed.
For those interested in hiking Camel's Hump in Vermont and sharing my experience, here is a link with more information about the trail: http://4000footers.com/camelshump.shtml Then New England Hiking site provides complete information on the hike with great photos.
↧

The Sculpture Park Is On!

February 10, 2019, 4:40 pm
$
0
0
You may or may not know that my partner Kyle, our little partner-in-crime Ethan and I are building a Sculpture Park in Southern Colorado. We installed the first set of sculptures this past December - this was very exciting as you can see!

People who know me closely, know that I love bears. In general, I love the outdoors, wildlife and art. All of this came together in this project, my Wildlife of the San Luis Valley Series. 

These bears are my pencil doodles that came to life as hand made outdoor mosaic sculptures. When I first decided to create a bear sculpture, many options and ideas raced through my mind. I decided I didn't want to create anything serious. This led me to the idea of creating something from a 'napkin sketch'. Why not?

I set down to do some loose sketches. I just wanted to see what would pour out in as much of a raw form as possible. I decided to emulate a 6 year old Kasia. My hope was to strip away style etc. 

Initially, this was going to be a single, double sided sculpture. After gluing the first side onto the hand sculpted form, it felt like that was it. The mosaic created for the other side of the form was going to get its own sculpture. Now there would be two bears that would stand next to each other.

As I mentioned above, these are part of my Animals of the Valley Series. Each set will be installed to designate campsites in the sculpture park my partner Kyle and our son Ethan (in the photo on the left) are building. The bears are part of the 'Bear Site' which has a tiny house A-Frame cabin we built with friends. We brought out the finished sculptures to test location and to find the orientation etc. 

All of this is a pretty big undertaking for Kyle, Ethan and I. We are lucky to have some amazing family and friends who choose to lend a helping hand when they visit us in the remote San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado. Here Kyle's dad is invaluable as you can see that Ethan gets into a ton of trouble as we try to mover things along =)

We were lucky to get these installed in December during a warm front as shortly after the temperatures dropped to freezing during the day and in the negatives at night. The environment in the valley is harsh but the scenery is ideal for a sculpture park.

What could be a more majestic backdrop for our modest sculpture park and campground? That is Blanca Peak not too far away. Traditionally it is known to the native people of this region, the Navajo, as the Sacred Mountain of the East 'Sisnaajiní' - the Dawn or White Shell Mountain. 

This special place is our playground, a place to explore self-expression, to be quiet and still and to marvel at the surrounding beauty while looking within and back out - to dance with ourselves and the world around us.

This project, so far, has been something incredible for us. To have a place to for self-expression and to see our closest family and friends jump on the wacky art wagon means a lot. We hope to be able to share this place with more than family and friends one day and that our visitors will find an opportunity to enjoy the quiet of the valley, the deep dark night sky, the sublet beauty along with the majestic views of the Sangre de Cristo Maintains.
 

If you feel drawn to our mission, the best way to support this artist run and founded project is by choosing our art when you are looking for something beautiful, colorful and handmade to be part of your home. See my available art here: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/ and Kyle's available work here: https://www.kylecunniffshop.com/
↧
Viewing all 416 articles
Browse latest View live
Search