Karyn Kowal of Oak Lake has created a stunning collection of paverpol sculptures over the last four years. Kowal took an introductory paverpol class in 2013 in Victoria, BC. After moving back to Manitoba where her roots are she took a Garden Lady class and then the instructor's course from Loretta Metzger in Saskatoon in 2016.
Paverpol sculping consists of covering sculpted wire with tinfoil. The tinfoil body is wrapped with cut strips of cotton t-shirts which have been dipped in liquid paverpol.
Next, the artist creates the sculpures clothing (if desired), Kowal says she has used crocheted doilies to make dresses for her women figurines. This is where each person who makes a sculpture can be as creative as their imaginations can carry them.
The sculpture can then be painted with acrylic paint. It hardens overnight. There are numerous paverpol products and the classes, introductory, intermediate and advanced , go through how each product is used. All of these products can be purchased through Kowal in Oak Lake. They are not available in stores.
Kowal loves the versatility of paverpol sculpting, she says, “No two pieces are ever alike, each sculpture takes on its own personality.” She has done a variety of sculptures from birds like standing life-size herons, flying birds, three to four foot standing figures, to desk-size African lady sculputes. All sculptures, once varnished, can endure remaining outdoors even over the winter. This makes them perfect as garden statues.
Kowal also paints with acrylics and oil. Currently, she has been combining her canvass paintings with paverpol. The result is a framed painting with paverpol sculpting attached, giving a 3D effect that jumps out at the viewer.
Kowal was certified in 2016 as a paverpol instructor. She has taught classes throughout southwest Manitoba, had a solo exhibition at arts Mosaic in Virden through June of this year and attended art events like the recent “Gallery In The Garden” in Birtle, MB on Jul.8.
Kowal takes bookings to do “Sip & Sculpt” classes in people’s homes, this is a two hour class. There is discount pricing for the hostess and it is a two hour class producing an African Lady sculpture.
