At the beginning of this year I began a new series of small paintings: 6"x8", 6"x12" and 8"x10". These are the first 5 of the group. I plan to paint another 6-9 for this series. Then I'll choose a group to display at a local gallery here in Pagosa Springs. The rest of them will be made available via my Online Art Shop.See my currently Available Art Here
This painting is inspired by a calm evening in the mountains. It is set in a mountain meadow where pink paintbrush flowers are abundant. Its magic hour time, the sun is just setting and the landscape is illuminated. The vivid colors in the sky beautifully compliment the colorful and abundant wildflower-field set against the glowing, purple mountains.
The painting is varnished in satin, has a hanging wire on the back as well as a signed certificate of authenticity. It is custom framed in a black hardwood floating frame.
In a world where the hand made is a disappearing art amidst big corporations and businesses taking over smaller industries, quality hardwood, custom frames for art is becoming a rarity and when it is available the price reflects the unique skill, the ever more expensive raw materials as well as the studio space and tools needed to create. I am lucky that all my medium and large art is framed in house. Frames are specifically fitted for each art piece and beautifully finished for my customers and art galleries.
The framing of artwork provides such a wonderful finishing touch. I'm always surprised at just how much more I am drawn to a painting after it is framed. At the moment, I provide all my medium and large pieces custom framed. If a buyer catches a new painting before its framed, she or he may choose the stain for the wood before its prepped for framing.
Sometimes I create photoshop mock-ups to get a better feeling for which frame I prefer for a particular artwork. I even share these concepts with my social media followers to get their opinion. My audience is has been very thoughtful in their analysis. In both the above concepts, they preferred black which I was actually surprised by. I wondered if it could have been because both times I shared the side by side images with the black first followed by the natural wood?
I used to lean toward black for frames. But the natural, light wood is catching my attention more as of late. Still I've been torn with which direction to go. In the past, I used to use walnut as well as a dark cherry. I love all the different shades of wood but in 2022, I am trying to simplify - we'll see how that goes.
Below are a few past images of Kyle framing my other art pieces - some newer paintings as well as some of my past glass mosaics.
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| Me standing next to a newly framed painting 36"x48". |
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| A 24"x48" painting framed in a thick black floating frame. |
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| My son Ethan assisting in the framing of a 46"x 34"painting in a thick golden oak floating frame. |
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| Kyle framing a 36"x36" stained glass mosaic in a walnut floating frame. |
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| Kyle framing a 60"x36" stained glass mosaic in a golden oak floating frame. |
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| Kyle framing a 36"x36" stained glass mosaic in a cherry floating frame. |
Purple Lupine Meadow acrylic on board, 30″x40″ (31″x31″ framed), 2022
Available for Purchase: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/purple-lupine-meadow/
This painting is inspired by a peaceful early morning in a mountain meadow. The sun is emerging from behind the mountains and the fresh morning light is beginning to light up the cool, mountain landscape where the meadow is covered in wildflowers, including the lovely purple lupines.
Email kpolkowska@gmail.com if you'd like to see a video of the painting or if you have any questions on the custom, monthly payment plan for any artwork in the shop. Art is shipped after the first payment is made and contract signed.
Having lived in Colorado since 2012, I’ve been enjoying incredible mountain sunsets ever since. Recently, I’ve explored this theme in a few new paintings. This one was inspired by the mountains near where I live. Some are really jagged and wild looking, including Chimney Rock which is near Pagosa Springs where I live. The scenery in the painting is inspired by the San Juan and the Sangre de Cristo mountains but is not any exact place, more like a compilation of great memories.
View other available paintings: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com
Having lived in Colorado since 2012, I’ve been enjoying incredible mountain sunsets ever since. In the recent years, living in the San Juan Mountains and also spending alot of time in the San Luis Valley surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, I feel that both areas inspired this dreamy mountainscape.
Sunrise Over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, acrylic on board, 16″x20″ (17″x21″ framed), 2022
Available for Purchase: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/sunrise-over-the-sangre-de-cristo-mountains/
This painting is inspired by the rising sun over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Mosca, Colorado. That’s where I am building a sculpture park and the surrounding mountain views are so inspiring. The sun peaking over the jagged mountains, igniting the sky and giving form to the mountains is breathtaking in the San Luis Valley. This painting is not of any particular part of the view of these mountains but more so an imagined view from memories of many such beautiful views.
The painting is varnished in satin, has a hanging wire on the back as well as a signed certificate of authenticity. It is custom framed in a black hardwood floating frame.
At the beginning of Spring, I started a mural project in our new cabin. I painted a mountain scene inspired by the views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains that surround our 40 acre sculpture park.
Kyle and I built this cabin over the Winter. It faces the mountains that inspired the mural within it. You can actually see the mountains reflected in the windows.
I pretty much speed painted the mural but still it was a pretty neat experience to work on a much bigger canvas than usual.
The mural is a wonderful way to greet the guests. You don't have to feel bad about leaving the mountain views behind when you walk it when you have your own, personal mountain view inside. Plus the large windows in the cabin do provide panoramic views of the outside landscape.
Overview of the cabin interior. Its a small studio space 10' by 16'. There is a queen sized bed with fresh linens, pillows, a comforter plus additional blankets. An artsy coatrack hangs on the door. Next to is is a bar table with 2 stools overlooking the mountains out the window.
Next to the bed is a chair to kick back in. Additionally, there is some counter space with a camping stove and a teapot. There is also a cooler that can keep food and drinks cool for upto 4 days.
The cabin has solar electricity and lights. There is also an outlet for charging phones and laptops - nothing too crazy though as the power is limited. We provide a buddy heater with propane for those extra cold nights.
Planning to visit the San Luis Valley and The Great Sand Dunes National Park? Book your stay at our cabin at the remote, 40 Acre Sculpture Park here: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/619100882942996332
Below are just a few of the couple dozen art and sculpture pieces that we've installed at the park so far. Each guest who visits is helping to grow our creative vision. Each year we add new artwork for the small batch of guests who stumble upon our hidden, alpine desert oasis!
Wild Sunflower Meadow acrylic on board, 30″x40″ (31″x31″ framed), 2022 ~SOLD
See Other Available Art: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product-category/paintings-drawings/
Over the years, I’ve really enjoyed seeing the wild sunflowers blanket the hills beneath the mountains of Crested Butte in Colorado. This area is famously and lovingly nicknamed the wild flower capital of the state. Mid July, the meadows are filled with so many colorful flowers. Most years I am here around my birthday basking in the beauty of one of the most beautiful and special places in the Rocky Mountains. What has always caught my attention is how so many hills will appear yellow at the height of the season. The sunflowers really take over the hills and create such a feeling of life, magic and wonder that the sight can bring out the nature lover in anyone.
The tipi is set up with a bed with fresh linens and a small seating area inside. There is a private outdoor space at the tipi site as well as a near by common area which offers a shaded patio furnished with more comfy seating through out. This is an off-the-grid, creative, desert retreat with a lovely alpine desert valley setting.
The tipi is marked with a Coyote Sculpture. You can often hear the local coyotes sing early in the morning or later in the evening.
Outside, there are sculptures spread through out the property and even a growing trail to enjoy a light stroll through the wide open space of the outdoors. If you are planning a trip to the San Luis Valley or the Great Sand Dunes National Park, you can book the tipi for your stay via AirBnB: 18' Tipi at Mystic Valley Sculpture Park
Starry Night Over Pagosa Springs, acrylic paint and markers on board, 6"x12", 2022
Paintings will be added to the Online Art Shop in late Spring: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product-category/paintings-drawings/
Pink Swirls Above the Mountains, acrylic paint and markers on board, 6"x12", 2022
Paintings will be added to the Online Art Shop in late Spring: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product-category/paintings-drawings/
Enjoy a novelty stay https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/50676895 at an artist run 40 acre Sculpture Park in Mosca, Colorado home of the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Our tiny a-frame opens up to a view the surrounding mountains offering a unique camping experience. Inside are 2 beds made with fresh linens, blankets and a buddy heater. Outside is a firepit with seating and a picnic table. There is a communal shaded area (other guests may be present). Art is installed throughout this creative outdoor space set in a rural, Alpine Desert. Scroll down for a few examples of our growing outdoor art collection.
Below are a few of the sculpture at the 40 acre property. Currently there are over 20 art installations, some consisting of upto 6 individual sculptures. The founders of the park, Kasia and Kyle, and new work seasonally.
Enjoy a novelty stay at an artist run 40 acre Sculpture Park with mountain views in all directions. Our vintage camper is outfitted with a comfortable place to sleep and relax. There is solar electricity, propane heat and a cooking stove. Outside is a deck, a firepit with seating and a picnic table. There is a communal shaded area (other guests may be present). New sculpture and amenities are added seasonally. Vintage Camper via AirBnB
We remodeled the inside and outside. I created a custom backsplash and a couple of design murals, plus other colorful accents. More photos coming soon!
The camper is situated between our tiny a-frame and the tipi. We actually offer a few different lodging options, each tiny but offering its own unique amenities. https://www.airbnb.com/users/show/409508044
Starry Sky Above the Peaks, acrylic on board, 6″x8″, 2022
Available for Sale: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/starry-sky-above-the-peaks/
This is an original acrylic painting inspired by a star-filled night over the San Juan Mountains of Southern Colorado. It is not actually of a specific location though so I hope that these mountains can also be a reminder to someone of any mountain range where they have experienced a beautiful night sky.
Luminous Night Sky Over the Mountains, acrylic on board, 8″x6″, 2022
Available for Sale: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/luminous-night-sky-over-the-mountains/
This is an original acrylic painting inspired by a star-filled night over the San Juan Mountains of Southern Colorado. It is not actually of a specific location though so I hope that these mountains can also be a reminder to someone of any mountain range where they have experienced a beautiful night sky.
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Ethereal Mountain Night, acrylic on board, 6″x8″, 2022
Available for Sale: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product/ethereal-mountain-night/
This is an original acrylic painting inspired by a star-filled night over the San Juan Mountains of Southern Colorado. It is not actually of a specific location though so I hope that these mountains can also be a reminder to someone of any mountain range where they have experienced a beautiful night sky.
Winter Wonder I, acrylic paint and markers on board, 8"x10", 2022
See Currently Available Art: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product-category/paintings-drawings/
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Winter Wonder II, acrylic paint and markers on board, 10"x8", 2022
See Currently Available Art: https://www.kasiapolkowskashop.com/product-category/paintings-drawings/
The Chambered Nautilus, sometimes referred to as a living fossil, has remained relatively unchanged for over 400 million years. Most people recognize it for its shell which captivates with its geometric and jewel-like beauty. Its appeal has been driving this previously abundant species toward extinction through over-harvesting for jewelry production. It is easy to want one of these mysterious and mesmerizing treasures for oneself, especially when the true cost to the species is not realized or advertised by the trinket producers. I hope that others are inspired like me to only take inspiration from the living Nautilus and to leave them in the deep, dark ocean where they can thrive for millions of years to come.
The Nautilus Shell will be on display for the Annual Alamosa Artscape Outdoor Art Exhibit starting in the middle of September 2022 till September 2023 https://cityofalamosa.org/public-art/publicart-main/
