By
Kc Pollak
Piece description from the artist
Beyond Control is a combination of strength juxtaposed with fragility. The time we are living in (COVID-19) with curfews and lockdowns is starting to take its toll on American society. People are ready to get back out, get to work, socialize, etc. But what is coming next? I think we’re in a very fragile state as people of the United States. 30 million of us are out of work and desperation and famine are just waiting around the corner. There is a fundamental shift happening right now. We have entered a time in history that nobody has seen since the Great Depression. Even my parents, who were at the tail end of the Great Depression didn’t remember much of it. They were children at the time. This is a new world we are coming into. Something we do not understand and won’t understand for a long time to come or maybe not even in our lifetime. History is being written as I type this. It’s a very fragile society right now. We are on the cusp of something great … possibly. Times of desperation can bring out the best in people and great ideas are just over the horizon. But also, we are possibly on the cusp of unimaginable disaster. It all depends on what happens next and nobody can know what that is yet. Not until they write about this in history books at some undetermined time in the future. Our society is potentially strong, but we are also very fragile. What does our future hold? Nobody knows. Nobody.
This piece started out as one thing and ended up going in an entirely new direction, as often happens with alcohol ink. I was awfully close to throwing it in the trash. With alcohol ink it is necessary to use isopropyl alcohol to make the inks move. And I’m not talking about the regular 70% stuff you buy at the store. Besides, most stores are out of all that anyway due to COVID-19. I’m talking about the 90%-99% strength. Which is impossible to find in stores, except occasionally the 90% … but not now. Also, it’s nearly impossible to buy online as well. When one is available it is VERY expensive! What now? No more art? My sister had an idea to use grain alcohol (190 proof, which is 95% alcohol). I was assured it worked. With that in mind, I had my husband buy me a bottle. And no, I don’t drink it (ick)! It does work well. In fact, it works great! Odds are I will continue using this. But it is different and my art direction that I was headed in had to be abandoned. I like the new direction it took so I worked with it. Alcohol ink art is fragile all by itself. But this piece makes me think of fragile and strength, all at the same time. You can’t control anything in this life. You just have to hold on and pray!
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."
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