‘Spring Branch’ Contemporary painting by Kasia Kaldowski
The Painting
‘Spring Branch’ is contemporary acrylic painting, on box canvas. It is a large piece at 40in x 30in on a box canvas, ready to hang. The style is expressionistic in nature, and the canvas bursts with colour. She has used vibrant tones of purple, pink, blue, green which blend in beautifully together.
Here is Kasia’s description of the artwork: Step into the serene beauty of nature with this captivating painting featuring an early spring tree branch adorned with delicate light green lichen. Feel the gentle breeze and hear the soft rustle as you immerse yourself in the tranquil atmosphere of new beginnings. Let the vibrant hues and intricate details of the artwork transport you to a world of renewal and rejuvenation, where every stroke of the brush whispers tales of growth and transformation.
About the Artist
A painter and an art curator, Kasia Kaldowski has had appx 100 exhibitions, mainly in the United Kingdom where she spent most of her adult life. She has a degree in English law, however her love for art, resurrected in her by her husband, resulted in unstoppable creativity. She caught-up on her artistic education at the famous Central St. Martin’s in London, where she studied art curating, ceramics and printing techniques. She has had over 100 exhibitions to date, and exhibited, among others in the famous The Mall Galleries in London. While in the UK she was an active member of a few art organisations. Her paintings are in the private and public collections in the UK, Europe and the USA. In her paintings she experiments with different techniques. From paintings inspired by Turner, quick animal watercolours, to abstract and avant-garde. From traditional to concept and back, she uses different styles to best reflect the mood of an image or a message that she wants to convey. Notable exhibitions: The Mall Galleries, London La Galleria, Pall Mall, London Webbs Fine Art, London Chelsea Art Fair, London Campbells of London POSK Gallery, London Oranżeria Kultury, Lidzbark Warmiński Powsin Botanical Gardens, Warsaw Jaracz Theatre, Olsztyn Warmian & Masurian Museum Galeria Triada, Gdańsk
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QUESTIONS TO THE ARTIST
Firstly, what inspired you to create “Spring Branch”?
I was inspired during our long (late February, early March) walks with my husband Mariusz. We live not far from a disused railway track – Downs Link. It is now a many many miles long bridle way, used by dog walkers, rumbles, joggers and horse and bike riders. This lichen on the trees, in the early spring, in strong sunshine looks really amazing. During this time of the year it does not have any ‘competition’ as there are no blooms on the trees, at least not on that path. It really looks amazing, from afar it looks whitish. But closer there are so many very light shades of cool yellows, greens and light teals, all on one branch.
Could you walk us through your process of creating this artwork?
I collected a few small branches from the ground. There were plenty lying around after recent strong winds. I also took photos. Not sure when I decided on the background. I think it was a happy accident, as magentas and lilacs (both dark and light) make any painting instantly happy and vivid. So it turned out to be a good choice. I played with colour application to the background first. My intention was to make an abstract vista, just a suggestion of something being on behind the branch. I painted the blanch last. I have not painted everything too realistic, just a few lichen details that were closest.
Can you share any challenges you encountered while working on “Spring Branch”?
The challenge was the play with light on the lichen itself, which was very light in colour, nearly white, but when you looked closely you could see a rhapsody of different pastel greens.
What inspired you to transition from studying law to pursuing art full-time?
As a young woman I had two dreams in my life. The first one was to paint, and the other was to work in Scotland Yard. I achieved both but the other way round. To work for the Metropolitan Police I wanted to finish related higher education studies. I studied law degree part-time, and two years after graduation I secured a job as a civilian administrative office assistant. I worked for the police for 18 years, of which the last 8 was at the New Scotland Yard, in a management position. During that time I met my husband, Mariusz Kaldowski, also an artist, and I gradually started to paint again. In 2013 I decided I wanted to do it full time, so I took the opportunity of an early retirement. Now I’m am a full time artist.
Finally, what do you enjoy most about being an artist?
Being an artist is very fulfilling. You are creating something, working for yourself. When people like what you are doing, there is no better validation that you are doing the right thing.
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