Serena Kovalosky spent 18 years in the travel industry before retiring her backpack to focus on her artistic talents. After moving to Canada in 1993, she left her travel career and rented a loft in Montreal's art district. Rather than applying to art school, Kovalosky decided to study directly with the professional artists in her building. Her mentors were exceptional artists in a variety of disciplines who also managed their art careers full-time. Kovalosky also traveled to London, England to learn the art of gilding with gold, which she uses in almost all of her work.

Kovalosky was inspired by organic forms and materials after seeing a collection of lacquered and finely carved gourd pottery from Olina, Mexico. She began working with gourds, then moved on to plaster, bronze and clay to perfect her carving and sculpting skills. In 2004, the artist moved back to her native homeland in upstate New York and returned to her gourd art, creating a new body of work that reflects the organic forms, natural textures and earthy tones of the woodlands of the Northeast.

Kovalosky has exhibited her work in fine art galleries and alternative venues from Saratoga, New York to Montreal, Canada. Her artwork and philosophy have been the subject of television documentaries on Canada's Life Channel and Quebec's Canal Vie, as well as numerous newspaper articles and radio shows.

Serena Kovalosky creates from her studio in the foothills of New York's Adirondack Mountains. Her work may be purchased online and in annual exhibitions.

Kovalosky has recently picked up her backpack once again to work on a book on cultural tourism in rural America.
Visit her online travelogue:
Notes from the Road:   www.serenakovalosky.blogspot.com

Serena Kovalosky is also the founder and director of Open Studios of Washington County, New York, a juried biennial featuring the finest professional artists in the region.
 www.OpenStudiosWashingtonCounty.com