Barbara Kobylinska was born in Warsaw, Poland. She received a Master’s degree in Graphic Design and later a Master’s in Costume and Stage Design at Warsaw’s Academy of Fine Arts. Since then, she has been an art teacher; a children’s book illustrator; a poster, puppet, and stage designer; and finally a sculptor. For the last 20 years, she has worked in her Virginia Beach studio, creating large (4–6 ft.), colorful ceramic birds, bugs and flowers that mirror the natural world with an abstract, fanciful twist.
In 1981, she sailed with her husband across the Atlantic and through the Caribbean’s on a small sail boat. Since then, nature has been a dominant factor that has influenced and inspired Barbara Kobylinska’s artwork. She feels and expresses her deep admiration for nature’s wonders: organic, rich forms and abundant colors in her giant flowers and bird sculptures.
Her large indoor/outdoor sculptures has been exhibited in many prestigious national art shows including SOFA WEST in Santa Fe, Chicago SOFA, US Botanic Garden in Washington, DC, Loveland Sculpture Show in Colorado, ArtPrize in Michigan, as well as, permanently aboard the “Oasis of the Sea” cruise ship, North Carolina and Norfolk Botanical Gardens, Courthouse Galleries Portsmouth, Va. and various private collections throughout the country.
Barbara Kobylinska is a member of International Sculpture Center, Washington Sculptors Group, Potter’s Council and Ceramic Designers Association.