Breckenridge Texan

The Breckenridge Fine Arts Center is now showcasing the work of artist Iwona Jankowski, whose exhibition, Mottled Art, is on view through June 6. The exhibit, which is free to the public, features a collection of pieces that blend elements of abstract, expressionism, and realism, with a particular focus on equine subjects.

Iwona Jankowski’s “Mottled Art” exhibit will be on display at the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center through June 6. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Jankowski’s approach often combines vibrant, layered backgrounds with close-up, emotive portraits, emphasizing the expressive intensity of the eyes of her subjects. Her work explores movement and mood through transparent overlays and dynamic compositions, inviting viewers to find their own interpretations within each piece. In addition to paintings of horses, she also has several pieces that feature people, dogs, chimpanzees and other subjects.

In the exhibition brochure, Jankowski states, “My first works of art I created as a child depicted horses. Drawing them, I thought I could feel every muscle of the horse I drew. It was far from perfect but the feeling remains. Even today, after many years, my favorite subject is horses. … For me the horse, besides the beautiful, gracious body, is a symbol of a free soul, loyalty, and trust. I’m especially fascinated by their eyes. An eye, as old people say, is a window to a soul. When you look in their trustful eyes, you can see they want to connect with us and are always a vivid shadow that needs to be close, to follow and to please, and blindly don’t expect anything in return — they just hope for love and simple friendship for life.”

The exhibit features works in acrylic, mixed media, oil, embroidery and colored pencils. Many of paintings, as well as prints in several sizes, are for sale.

Originally from Poland, Jankowski now lives in Magnolia, Texas. She is a member of several organizations, including American Impressionist Society, American Women Artists, Women Artists of the West and the American Academy of Equine Art. In 2016, she was the signature artist of the America’s Horse in Art Show at the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum.

The Breckenridge Fine Arts Center, located at 207 N. Breckenridge Ave., is open Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This Iwona Jankowski painting, titled “Musing,” is acrylic on canvas.

Although many of Iwona Jankowski’s paintings feature horses, the exhibit at the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center includes several other subjects, such as dogs, cats, people, and this chimpanzee.

“Mottled Art” by Iwona Jankowski is on exhibit in the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center’s main gallery through June 6. Admission to the BFAC is free. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: Iwona Jankowski explains in her artist’s statement that when she paints, she focuses on what she feels and not what she sees. She often doesn’t pay attention to realistic shapes, textures or colors as she works to capture the best features of the subject. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)