Mylissa Kowalski Davis


Carroll Hill View
(8″x6″; oil on oil-primed panel; 2017)

Mylissa Kowalski Davis
Fairfax, Vermont

STATEMENT

My love for art has always held a strong connection with the outdoors and nature has been a constant inspiration in my work. Painting allows me to relate more deeply with the outdoor world, and I hope to share this connection with those who view my work.

Hiking has been a life-long love, and those subjects that truly spark my creative side tend to be off the beaten path. Although I mostly work in the studio, a painting starts long before the canvas is on the easel. The process begins with careful study of the landscape including sketches and reference photos. Once in my studio I get right to work laying down color.

The common thread in all my subjects is my intention to portray beauty and meaning in the subtleties that surround us. My hope is that when a person views one of my paintings, they, too, will feel a connection with nature.

BIO

As a child you could usually find me drawing or happily running around in the woods and fields adjacent to our home. My early drawings started out in pencil and charcoal, but I would later utilize soft pastels. The pure pigments and softness of pastels along with the speed at which I could lay down color were what ignited my love for this medium.

In 2006, I received a Bachelors of Art in Medical Illustration from Rochester Institute of Technology. Medical Illustration is a truly fascinating profession. It combines a passion for art with a love for science. It requires great attention to detail and exactness. While focusing more on human anatomy in art, it teaches important skills that can be used in any type of drawing.

After college, I moved to Seattle, Washington. There, my subject matter gradually moved away from Medical Illustration and turned once again to nature. I spent eight years in Washington immersing myself in my art as well as the beautiful wildlife and scenery of the area.

In the spring of 2015, my husband and I relocated to Vermont. My paintings encompass a wide range of subjects such as landscapes, wildlife, and animal portraits. Nature continues to inspire my art. I have begun to focus on plein air painting. I also gradually moved away from pastels and acrylics and began using oils. No matter the subject or medium, the common thread in all my artwork is my intention to portray beauty and meaning in the subtleties that surround us.

ARTIST CONTACT

[click to email]
www.mylissak.com

IMAGES


Slow Heartbeat of a Deep Winter’s Sleep
(16″x12″; oil on oil-primed panel; 2017)


Late Autumn Repose
(12″x16″; oil on oil-primed panel; 2017)


Polly Brook
(16″x20″; oil on oil-primed panel; 2017)


Summertime Siesta
(8″x10″; oil on oil-primed panel; 2017)