Artist Statement
“My abstract figurative paintings capture the essence of women as both sensual beings and powerful individuals. I create to inspire women to embrace their femininity with confidence, edge and elegance."
Grace, a fine art painter, photographer, and fashion creative, produces art that is both contemporary and timeless. Her figurative work reflects women’s strong and beautiful complexities emanating, mystery, edge and sophistication. Her contemporary approach merges abstract strokes, and textural layers to ignite feels of modern romanticism and sensuality.
Grace draws inspiration from models she photographs in her studio and on her travels. Once she decides on the image, she adapts a message influenced by the movement of the captured pose or the way a shadow falls on skin. This connection continues to evolve as she paints the figure at times adding charcoal and metallic foil. The progression of the work may be planned out, but Grace allows for intuition to influence her next move.
At times, Grace allows the paint to guide her as it glides and seeps into linen canvas. Combining a variety of techniques and mediums, she pushes her figurative abstraction to explore themes of empowerment, resilience, and the multifaceted nature of womanhood.
Living a life in art began with Grace’s childhood in Krakow, Poland. Using elements of nature, and items found around the home, she would make a cardboard dollhouse, floral head wreaths and draw in chalk doll-like figures on the outside building walls of her family’s rental apartment.
After immigrating to the U.S., Grace pursued business for financial security. Even with this career plan, she never fully never stopped painting or photography. While working and raising two boys alongside her husband, Grace began to create charcoal figurative art and street photography and developed a collector following.
An unexpected life change prompted Grace to fully return to the journey started outside her Krakow apartment. Over the years, Grace has exhibited in both group and private art shows, collaborated with local businesses, national retailers, interior designers, curators and has had her work featured in showcase houses, advertorial campaigns, and on NETFLIX and HGTV.
Grace promotes her lifestyle message through her brand LYLIA (acronym for Live Your Life In Art), through her other passions; interior design, wellness and fashion. Her painted vintage books and merchandise are an extension of her creativity.