Dominika Białas

Your bird portraits combine realism with expressive, intense colors. How did this visual language develop over time?

My visual language grew from the need to connect what I see with what I feel. At first, I painted birds simply because I found them incredibly beautiful — their forms, contrasts, and distinctive features fascinated me. Over time, I realized that realism alone wasn’t enough to express their full energy.

Strong, expressive color allows me to highlight the emotional dimension of the subject. My style naturally evolved into a combination of observation and expression — the form remains grounded in reality, while the color comes from within.

Dominika Białas | Focus | 2024

What draws you specifically to birds as the central subject of this series?

I’m drawn to birds because I simply like them. They are delicate yet powerful, and their diversity means each species carries its own personality, tension, and story.

As a highly sensitive person, I easily pick up on these subtle qualities. This makes painting birds feel natural to me — a blend of aesthetic fascination and emotional closeness.

Dominika Białas | Echo | 2024

The eye is the emotional focal point in your paintings. What does it represent for you?

For me, the eye is where all emotion gathers. It defines the bird’s character and brings the entire painting to life.

I always begin with the eye — once it holds expression, the portrait starts to breathe and guides my next steps. It’s a small detail that determines everything.

Dominika Białas | Guardian | 2024

How do you approach the balance between realism and expressive abstraction in your work?

Realism provides structure — the foundation on which I build. Expressive color gives me freedom and allows emotion to enter the piece.

I work in a rhythm of back-and-forth: building form, adding intuitive accents, returning to precision, and then opening again to spontaneity. This dynamic creates portraits that feel both readable and alive.

Dominika Białas | Flare | 2024

Color plays a powerful symbolic role in your paintings. How do you choose your palette for each piece?

I choose colors intuitively, guided by the bird’s character and energy. I look for natural harmony, paying attention to how the shades interact and how they shape the atmosphere.

For me, color is a way to highlight the personality of the bird I’m portraying. It’s a process driven more by intuition and emotion than by strict rules.

Dominika Białas | Toco | 2024

You mention that your neurodivergent perception influences your art. How does this sensitivity shape your creative process?

My perception is very sensitive — I quickly notice details, contrasts, and tension. This makes painting an intense and deeply focused experience.

I often feel colors before I consciously choose them — emotion guides me more than analysis. I also work in silence, which helps me fully enter the painting and connect with its mood.

My neurodivergence is the source of the sensitivity that shapes my artistic language.

Dominika Białas | Blaze | 2024

What emotions or states of mind are the most challenging for you to express visually?

Calmness is the most difficult — emotional neutrality, balance, stillness. I naturally create with intensity and contrast, so subtlety requires extra attention from me.

Still, I enjoy this challenge — it helps me grow as an artist and discover new ways of expressing emotion.