Barb Kowalik Studio

Some say my art conforms to the Pop Art genre. Others, a realist who has a sense of humor and synthesizes the humor around us into pictures on day-to-day objects. Or perhaps a cartoonist.

But I think my style is a whimsical representation of reality. A reality that is covered in color and wrapped in laughter. I paint walls, floors, doors, appliances and furniture--they all have all been covered with my images. I use exaggerated figures and bright colors to create a theatrical scene and convey to the viewer the my vision of life is humorous and dramatic.

Recently I have been working on a series based on the months, moons and totem animals. I choose a specific animal to represent the moon for that month and then I include other images that are relevent to what I am conveying. Animal totems are an important part of many cultures - so the images I am creating also draw on these cultures.

	Animals have always played an important role in my life. I try to capture their personality, humor an joi de vive. And I can paint a decent portrait.
Joyclyn 2'x3' floorcloth	One of my favorite medium are table protectors/floorcloths. They are art that does not take itself seriously--the perfect synthesis of humor, art and life. Art you can walk on! Besides floors, they are perfect to protect a table or you can even hang them on the wall! My pieces are all hand made with 100% cotton canvas, water based paints and water based polyurethane. These are incredibly durable.
Koi coffee table	I like paint everything. Imagine a koi pond in your family room!! A coffee maker with its own waiter painted on the side. Nasturtiums, poppies and cats you can sit on!!
	Freeform embroidery is another passion. Joy - Spirit Doll #3 is embroidered on muslin. All hand stiched, embellished with beads and stuffed with herbs. Her frame is hand designed and painted. The background is hand dyed felt, painted with dye and embroidered. Joy is typical of my Spirit Dolls and all my other embroideries.

Please browse my site and enjoy my art. If you are interested in more information about, or wish to purchase any of my pieces, please feel free to contact me. Barb@barbkowalik.com

Want to know how to make your own floorcloth? Click here.

This website has been created and is maintained by Barbara Queen of the Universe Page update November 11, 2007