Waldemar Karwowski

Waldemar Karwowski specializes in decorative painting and historical restoration. Originally from Poland, Waldemar has worked all over the world. Since 1980, he has been decorating, restoration and replication of historically significant structures. He immigrated to the United States with his family in 1987 and attended the Old Lyme Art Academy for five years. In addition to his restoration work, Waldemar paints residential fine art and faux finishes. He is always aiming to give his clients the greatest of satisfaction in his work by constantly enriching his talent.

Waldemar is a graduate of the "ipedec" Institut Supérieur de Peinture Décorative in Paris, France. Some of his most notable accomplishments are the restoration of the sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Fatima, Portugal, his work on the interior of Saint Patrick's Cathedral in New York City and his restoration of the entire interior of Saint Stanislaus Church in New Haven, Connecticut.
Artist's Statement:

My first encounter with art began at an early age. As a child, I always liked to go to museums and historical buildings and look at the artwork. My father painted houses and churches. He used decorative painting techniques. I became interested in his work. When I was a boy, I helped him with different jobs. I learned basic painting techniques from my father that served as the foundation for my artistic desires. At age twelve, I prepared my first canvas to paint using oils. I applied the techniques that I learned with my father to create the images that were strongly developing in my mind. Later, when I was older, I traveled to many different countries where I had the opportunity to see and experience more artwork. I became inspired by the beautiful architectural designs of castles and palaces. The ornate ornamentation in marble, wood, bronze and gold gave me a different perspective on beauty. I became drawn to a beauty that is unique in its ornamentation, texture and light. I am attracted to a beauty that possesses the ability to continually attract my eye back to the image over and over. I developed a vision to create beauty that would continually draw the viewer's eye back to the image. Through decorative painting and faux finish, I am able to create pieces that are multi-layered and tangible. The technique is distinctive and endurable. It is important to me to create what I feel and to use my best ability to complete my work with the knowledge that I have obtained over my years of study and observation.