Today we are proud to introduce Elsa Sroka, a painter and Colorado native. Elsa has been on our radar for some time, but we finally met her in 2020 at the Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale and were struck by Sroka's imaginative style infusing her subjects – often cows – with personality and connection, placed in unexpected settings. 

Elsa grew up in a family who shared a passion for art and design. She draws much from those childhood memories, particularly hours spent drawing at the kitchen table with her brothers, sisters, and father. The artist finds inspiration in the landscapes discovered in her travels, elements found in architecture, her own imagination, and her love of animals. 

In Sroka’s latest cow series, expression is the most important element, infusing the subject with personality.  The abstract quality of her work skews the reality of her subject.  She believes the ordinary subject becomes significantly more intriguing when misplaced, such as in a parlor, inviting the viewer to pay attention through the element of surprise. This idea can apply to many different subjects, encouraging appreciation of the more subtle qualities of beauty. For the artist, emotional connection is necessary before painting can begin. By placing her subject in unconventional settings, Sroka takes a conscious departure from the traditional context found in much western art. 

Enjoy these new arrivals, freshly delivered by Sroka for the current group exhibition, Wild and Wonderful.