How Growing Up in Poland’s Mountains Influenced My Artistic Vision

INTRODUCTION

My artistic interests and subject matter as a nature-inspired artist were deeply shaped during my childhood and adolescence, when nearly every weekend and holiday was spent outdoors — in the woods, camping, or hiking. These early experiences nurtured my love for adventure and instilled a profound appreciation for nature. In this post, I want to share more about my early journey and how it continues to shape both me and my art today.

MOVING TO THE MOUNTAINS

I haven’t always lived in the mountains. I was born in the city, in the industrial Upper Silesia region of Poland, where my father worked as a miner. Even then, mountain trips and outdoor adventures were an integral part of our family life. Eventually, my family made the decision to relocate to the beautiful village of Jagniatków, nestled on the slopes of the Karkonosze Mountains.

From the moment we arrived, the closeness of nature became a constant source of awe. The National Park lay just a short walk away, and hiking and exploration quickly became part of everyday life. Moving to the Karkonosze Mountains was a transformative experience. Village life was vastly different from the city — people knew one another, helped freely, and showed up without being asked. Clearing snow from the long mountain driveways was a shared task, taken on by everyone who was able.

Neighbours would drop by unannounced to check in, lend a hand, stack firewood for winter, or simply share a cup of tea. It was in this environment that I developed independence and a strong work ethic. Life in the mountains was demanding, but being surrounded by wildlife made it feel raw, honest, and deeply connected to the rhythms of nature. I learned to chop wood with an axe, drive a tractor, and take responsibility from an early age. These experiences taught me self-reliance and gave me a lasting sense that I am capable of more than I might have imagined.

AWE-INSPIRING LANDSCAPES

The mountain landscapes constantly stopped me in my tracks. I often wondered how it was possible that the view of Śnieżne Kotły (translated as Snowy Pits), which I saw every morning on my way to school, could look entirely different each time. The ever-changing skies and moody terrain left a powerful impression on me.

One moment remains particularly vivid. One day, three separate thunderstorms gathered above our village. When lightning struck a tree just down the road, the thunder was so loud that I fell to the ground, instinctively checking that everyone around me was safe. It was the first time I truly understood how small we are in the face of nature’s power. It was a humbling, unforgettable moment — one that shaped my respect for the wild and its forces.

CHASING THE DEER

Deer were ever-present companions during those years. In winter, they would wander close to our homes, and we sometimes left vegetable peelings to help them through the deep snow. Tracking and observing deer quickly became my favourite pastime. I would disappear into the woods behind our house, following marks in the ground, learning where they travelled and how they moved through the landscape.

I felt like a mountain explorer, reading the quiet language of nature — learning through observation rather than words. Those moments of stillness and discovery were incredibly rewarding and planted the seeds for the wildlife themes that now appear so strongly in my work.

PAINTING MY LOVE OF NATURE

Nature sits at the heart of my wildlife and landscape paintings. I paint what I find beautiful, moving, and inspiring — moments of discovery, stillness, and connection. Exploration and adventure continue to draw me back to forests and mountains time and time again.

I love the scent of woodland after rain, the colours of the morning sky, and the fog settling gently into valleys at dawn. Every encounter with a living creature holds the potential for wonder, if we only pause long enough to notice. Whether it’s a beetle making its way across the forest floor, a small bird joining us in the garden, or a majestic stag standing proudly on a hillside — these fleeting moments are what I strive to capture on canvas.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I hope this article has offered insight into the roots of my artistic inspiration. My family’s move to the mountain village of Jagniatków had a profound influence on my creative vision. It was there that I was first introduced to oil paints and where I created my very first oil painting.

Many years later, all of these experiences have come together in my desire to paint woodland landscapes and their inhabitants — and to inspire others to seek out their own sense of adventure and connection with the natural world. Through my nature-inspired art, I hope to encourage viewers to pause, explore, and rediscover the beauty that surrounds them.

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