Early days

Early Days

Piece description from the artist

Beauty always comes from tragedy. This I have learned in life. This piece makes me realize this more and more. I was in an awful ski accident several years ago which left me with a broken collar bone and a severe concussion. I was unconscious for 5 minutes. I had no memory of what happened to me. Witnesses say a guy was doing what’s called ‘straight-lining’, which means skiing as fast as he can with his skis together (which is illegal, btw) and hit me from behind and I went flying and flopped face first into the snow. Thankfully, I was wearing a helmet. Otherwise I’m not sure I would be alive right now. To this day they have never found this man that hit me. There is still an APB out on him for hit and run. I spent many months of recovery. Once I felt like getting back to my art again, I found I could not create like I used to. Something had happened. My motor skills were gone. I simply could not do art the way I had spent my life doing. I was very distraught about this. Can I no longer be an artist? What now? These thoughts ate me up inside! Then about 8 months after the accident I decided to experiment with alcohol ink. I mean, what could it hurt, right? I had absolutely nothing to lose by trying something new. I discovered a new passion immediately! I could not get enough. I would create all day, every day. I realized that this form of art set me free in a way that nothing else ever had. I was suddenly free! Once I realized this, I began to find fulfillment in my art again. I see things differently now. I believe the Holy Spirit planted this in my heart. It was like he was telling me to go in a new direction so that my art could tap into emotions I was never able to communicate before. Now I can. Now I fully understand why people say that there is beauty that comes from tragedy. I get it! I now see the accident as a gift. It set me on a new path. Without it I would still be creating art the way I always had been, which is fine, but … there was always something missing. Something I never knew was missing until I began this new trek. These are still in the early days. I hope I always feel like this and never begin to feel that it’s drudgery. Right now, the possibilities are endless, and am excited every day to see what’s next. I hope you enjoy this piece and the softness of it. It brings a certain peace to my heart and I hope it does the same for you.

Other works by Kc Pollak

About Kc Pollak

Montrose, CO

I have been an artist all my life, ever since I could hold a pencil. I have always loved to draw and paint. My styles have varied over the years from realism to abstract and everything in between. The mediums I most enjoy working with are: oil, colored pencil, charcoal, graphite, watercolor, pen & ink, alcohol ink, and acrylic. Currently I am experiencing a mammoth amount of creative freedom working on abstract art.

In 2015, I donated one of my kidneys to a young woman who had only been born with one very diseased kidney. Since then she has been thriving and now going to college and living her life. What a blessing! I consider this a privilege and I'm so happy I was a match for her.

I have lived all over the country (U.S.). I primarily grew up in Woodland Park, CO. Following living in Woodland, I lived in Durango, CO, Farmington, NM, Houston, TX, Philadelphia, PA, Atlanta, GA and currently live in Montrose, CO (hopefully for good). I thankfully found my way back to Colorado. We live near Colona, in the shadow of Buckhorn Mountain (west/central Colorado) and absolutely love this place! It is remote, uncluttered, quiet, peaceful and beautiful. The inspiration I feel in my heart here is something I’ll be forever grateful for. It makes my soul sing!

I love to ski and am glad I live near some great places. Telluride, Crested Butte, Aspen, etc …when money allows. On February 12, 2017 I was in a ski accident in Telluride. Someone hit me from behind and knocked me unconscious for a few minutes (yes, I was wearing a helmet) and broke my collar bone. The guy hit me and left me for dead. He still has yet to be found. It's considered a felony to hit and run, just like in a car. Consequently, I suffered a concussion that has changed my life forever. My creativity has changed. Something happened to my eyes and I have a hard time doing the tiny details I used to do. But something also clicked in terms of how I approach my art. The freedom of abstraction has helped me heal and cope. Not only from the accident but with so many areas of my life. I have learned what true forgiveness means (to give as well as receive). I have a new appreciation for how fragile our lives really are and just how quickly life can be taken from us. A lot of things can change in the blink of an eye! That moment created a complete paradigm shift in my life. Mostly for the better.

I’m involved in an art mentoring program called Art Partners. I mentor a young boy (age 10). He created a piece that won first place in the student category of the Ouray Alpine Artist’s Holiday art show (nationwide) as well as 1st place in The Montrose Visual Arts Guild 2018 art show. I love the fact that I get to help shape this young man's creative future. He's my lil buddy.

There is an old cabin (100+ yrs old) on the property where I live that I have turned into my art studio. It’s my retreat and sanctuary. While I'm in this cabin, creativity just bursts forth in a riot of paint and color! This, I believe, is my heavenly father working through me. I'm still not sure what the grand purpose is but I keep my mind and heart open. I'm expecting adventure because, really, there's no way to know what's next. Like I always say, "the point is not to live forever but to create something that does."

See Kc's portfolio here
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