Artist Statement
Animals have always been at the heart of my creative journey. Whether it is a companion pet, a barnyard friend, or an ethereal spirit animal, I am drawn to the individuality and emotion they carry. My early work with soft pastels helped me refine a sensitivity to colour and subtle detail, and today oil painting has become the foundation of my artistic practice.
My work is about connection—between animal, viewer, and memory. I want each piece to carry warmth and a sense of presence, inviting people to see animals as more than subjects, but as characters full of life.
Working in miniature, such as my 2”x2” series, allows me to distill these qualities into an intimate format. Small works invite the viewer to lean in and connect more closely, as if holding a memory in their hands. Through this approach, my art becomes not only a study of animals, but also a celebration of joy and the quiet beauty found in everyday life.
Biography
Iwona Barylska is a Surrey-based artist originally from Poland. From an early age, she studied drawing and painting with professional artists and later continued her education at The Higher School of Art and Design in Łódź. For many years, she worked primarily with soft pastel crayons, a medium through which she developed her sensitivity to colour and expression. After moving to Canada in 2018, she shifted her focus to oil painting, which has since become the center of her artistic practice. Her work ranges from intimate custom pet portraits to vibrant farm-animal compositions and ethereal spirit-animal pieces. In 2025, she is actively participating in multiple art festivals and exhibitions across British Columbia and recently presented her cow painting at the Vancouver Arts & Music Festival in Washington. Her art is recognized for capturing the warmth, individuality, and spirit of every animal she portrays.
Website: iwonabarylska.com
Facebook: facebook.com/iwonabarylska.art
Instagram: @iwona.barylska
Artwork Sales
Artwork cannot be reserved; sales are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sales are open in-person and by phone during operating hours. Sales end at 9:00pm on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
How to Purchase by Phone
-
- Make note of the artist name, artwork number and title.
- Call our Registration Desk at 604-664-1636 ext. 0 to complete your purchase. Please have your credit card ready.
- A copy of your receipt will be emailed to you. Please bring it with you to pick up your artwork. Sold artwork can be picked up during operating hours until 9:00pm on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
