One of the island’s most exciting and vivid artists has included a portrait of a local celebrity in her latest exhibition.

Karolina Pawlowska has unveiled her new collection of highly colourful and wonderfully-expressive paintings, influenced by natural history, animal and botanical themes, at the Erin Art Centre, Port Erin.

Along with paintings of butterflies and bees, realised in large format with Karolina’s familiar bright use of bold colours, the portrait of the famous escapee red panda Kush takes centre spot, showing him with a content and satisfied look on his face, which was inspired by the birth of his two cubs.

’I got inspired by our own Kush, the red panda who recently became a father of two beautiful fur babies,’ said Karolina.

’I imagined him being exhausted of being a new parent, having a nap and dreaming about another escape, haha!

’So I’ve painted him chilling out on the branch in my colourful, splashy style.

’I worked without any breaks, for a few days in a row, constantly, from the first thing in the morning, till very late or even next morning.

’I was totally in the zone and couldn’t wait to see what I envisioned in my head. I was exhausted at the very end but very satisfied.’

Karolina’s use of colours makes her work come vividly to life and creates a joyful feeling, something that she says cheers people up and instantly makes them feel happy when looking at her work

’That’s how I express myself mostly, through colours,’ she said.

’My art is mostly about cheering people up. I love seeing people smile and colours have this magical power to uplift people’s minds. I love it and this idea is deep in my heart.

’I also love this randomness in splashing the paint. Of course I can control what I’m doing but all in all you can’t make the same painting in the same way, every splash is very spontaneous.

’Each painting is the only one on the planet and there is no chance to make another exactly the same painting. It’s awesome in it’s uniqueness.’

The exhibition is open between Monday to Friday, from 10am to 4.30pm and during shows.

by Mike Wade

Twitter:@iomnewspapers