Elsa Sroka
People often ask Elsa Sroka how she got her start painting. It’s particularly people who have known her for years and saw that she made a brisk transition into the art world. “I tell them, ‘It’s crazy, but it just happened,’” she says. “After a 27-year previous career, I started painting without ever looking back or second-guessing what I was about to take on full time. Mostly self-taught, the creative process has always been natural for me and my instincts took over and led me here.”
Inspiration comes in many forms for Sroka, who is an observer of body language and expressions of people and animals. “As a child, my five siblings and I entertained ourselves finding humor in the oddities of people,” she shares. “I am also inspired and moved by color harmony, and all things unique. I have always been drawn to things uncommon and misplaced. I believe a painting should offer an escape, giving the observer an opportunity to create their own dialogue and interpretation of the piece.”
Sroka’s technique is constantly evolving, as she is not afraid to try different methods and often completely changes and reworks paintings. “It is just paint and paint offers such flexibility. What an amazing thing to be able to do whatever moves me in the moment,” she shares. “My bovine paintings have sort of put me on the map. What started as a casual, experimental subject has turned into what collectors now recognize me for. I have fallen in love with the expressive qualities of these gentle animals.”
February 3 to 20, Sroka’s artwork will be on view in a solo exhibition titled Fresh & Bold at Terzian Galleries in Park City, Utah. She is also represented by Abend Gallery in Denver, Colorado; Eisenhauer Gallery on Martha’s Vineyard; and Sorrel Sky Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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