Beauty

Introduction

It is morning, time to get on with the usual things. As you rush to work, your mind already occupied with the day ahead, a squirrel suddenly darts from branch to branch. You stop. She pauses too, noticing you — alert, curious. When you step closer, she slips to the other side of the tree. You follow, and she does it again, as if inviting a game. A cheeky little squirrel. What a beautiful encounter.

Or perhaps you are driving to work and notice the most extraordinary morning sky. Soft pinks and pale blues melt into one another, while a bright, round moon still hangs above — seemingly out of place now that the day has already begun.

This is beauty.

In a world that is constantly rushing forward, it can be difficult to stop, reflect, and truly notice where we are. Everyday commitments — family, work, responsibilities — demand our attention. In the movement from one task to the next, we don’t always allow ourselves the time to appreciate the beauty that quietly exists around us.

I find that stepping away from the hustle of daily life and into nature helps me find grounding and balance. It slows me down and reminds me of what really matters.

How I find beauty

I am drawn to painting calmness and serenity. The landscapes I choose are often places I have encountered while out walking — scenes that made me stop, breathe, and take everything in. I am particularly fascinated by details. When I walk through the forest, I slow down and look closely: the moss clinging to tree trunks, delicate spider webs catching the light, the layered textures of bark. When you stop and come closer, a whole different world reveals itself.

I find mushrooms especially beautiful. They feel almost otherworldly — so different from plants and animals, with their intriguing shapes, colours, and forms. Mushroom foraging has always been close to my heart. Growing up in Poland, with mountain forests on our doorstep, it was a cherished tradition. Even now, when September arrives, I feel an unmistakable pull toward the woods.

Walking slowly through the forest, breathing in the fresh air, my senses sharpen and settle. My eyes scan the ground ahead, searching for familiar shapes, but then something else catches my attention — the beauty of a tree trunk covered in moss, dotted with droplets of dew. A quiet little wonder. A few steps later, I find a cluster of edible mushrooms — a small reward for patience and attentiveness. As I collect them, a beetle crosses the forest floor, absorbed in its own journey. Its wings catch the light, glossy and delicate. These moments are fleeting, but deeply satisfying.

At home, I am fortunate to have an overgrown, private garden. Gardening brings me a sense of calm and a strong reconnection with the earth. I love the scent of fresh soil, the miracle of seeds sprouting, and watching plants grow into something full and alive. I especially love the visitors — the birds. A little robin lives in the hedge and always appears when I garden. He knows that turned soil means opportunity. He hops close, perching on my spade, tilting his delicate head as if studying me. Then he vanishes back into the hedge. He is simply beautiful.

Because I find beauty in texture, I love painting it too. I build my work slowly, adding layer upon layer of colour, lines, and surface. Some layers remain visible, others become hidden — waiting to be discovered. The abstract elements in my paintings echo the textures of the forest: they invite touch, contemplation, and personal interpretation. Each viewer is free to find their own meaning within them.

Closing thoughts

I want to convey a sense of natural beauty through my art because it offers a counterbalance to the busyness of modern life. Especially for those living in cities or rarely spending time outdoors, we may not always realise how deeply our bodies and minds long for connection with the natural world.

Nature has a quiet, healing power. Through my work, I hope to offer a moment of stillness — an invitation to slow down, observe, and reconnect with the beauty that surrounds us, often closer than we think.

Explore the artworks where texture, stillness, and beauty meet, check out the Small Birds Collection or the Florals.