Isabella Karolewicz: Beyond the Canvas
Meet the wonderful Isabella Karolewicz, also known as Bella Eve, the artist behind beautiful artworks such as ‘Forever in Your Arms’, ‘Halo’, and ‘Miyuki Blossom’.
We’re proud to feature her Cityscapes collection, celebrating charming architectural details, alongside Bella Eve, a graceful fusion of floral forms and feminine faces.
Alongside this exclusive interview, Bella invites us into her world through a short documentary, using thoughtful reflections to take us through her creative process and to showcase the magic behind each painting. Here we discover the passion that brings these dreamy paintings to life.
Bella, can you tell us a little about your journey into the art world? Have you always painted?
My journey into the world of art began as a quiet child. I sat in gentle observation, watching life unfold and collecting moments in my mind until I could hold a pencil steady in my hand. From then on, I spoke through pencils and paper. Filling book after book with characters and stories and secret worlds only I could tell.
Art and creating has been my lifelong passion, beside me through every stage of life. Being an artist is simply how I exist in the world, finding art and beauty in everything I see and feel.
Your work beautifully blends the classic with the contemporary, how did you develop this signature style?
When I was twelve years old, I began art classes with a mentor who was incredibly practised in traditional techniques. She opened my eyes to the foundations of painting; composition, light, colour, and the intricate layering techniques of the master artists of the past. Those early years were essential as they taught me not just how to paint realistically, but also how the eye truly dances across a canvas.
After six years devoted to traditional art, I felt called to break free from the rules to discover what kind of artist I truly am. I started experimenting with expressive backgrounds, unrealistic colour palettes, and abstract layers that felt alive with emotion.
Combining the freedom of abstract textures and colours with finely detailed focal points became my way of honouring the depth of the masters while creating expressive art that feels like ‘me’
My goal is to bridge generations and to create works that feel timeless, carrying the soul of traditional art yet remaining fresh and relevant for today’s world.
'Forever in Your Arms', Cityscapes Collection
Where do you draw inspiration from and are there particular cities, moods, or moments that spark your creativity?
I find inspiration everywhere! Travel has always inspired me.. I’m especially drawn to cities full of history and quiet romance. But honestly, it’s the little things that move me most. The soft morning light, an unexpected glance, or the warmth of love in all its beautiful shapes and forms.
Many of your pieces carry a soft, wintery atmosphere. What is it about this season or feeling that resonates with you artistically?
It’s not intentional that my work has a wintery feel, maybe it is subconscious because I grew up in Melbourne and was always a little cold there! The glassy reflections on the ground can suggest rain or winter, but to me they’re really about light and dark playing together. I love how those reflections create a dreamy mood and soften the edges to make the scene feel a bit more poetic and open to interpretation.
What does a typical day in the studio look like for you?
I like to wake up early and start with a walk in nature or along the beach. I always set up near windows to soak in as much natural light as possible. Once I start creating, I can paint for hours and completely lose track of time. I stop when the sun goes down as I can’t quite see the colours properly from that point.
An artist’s mind never really switches off, so my evenings are often spent at my computer wearing the many hats of an entrepreneur; managing the business side, planning, and making sure everything keeps flowing behind the scenes.
'Halo, Style A', Bella Eve Collection
Can you share a bit about your process, how a painting evolves from idea to finished piece?
My process sparks off with an idea, or a simple colour palette that inspires me. From there, I play around with sketches and colours until it feels right. I always build my paintings in layers. Starting with loose and expressive backgrounds, then slowly building on the finer details.
It’s a mix of intuition and technique, I know a piece is finished when it feels balanced.
Do you work from your imagination, memory, or reference materials?
A lot of my creations begin in my imagination. that’s where the composition takes shape. The idea often grows over months or even years, layering new inspirations over time onto that initial idea. Once I can clearly ‘see’ it in my mind and the time feels right, I’ll finally translate it into a refined sketch and plan out the details carefully.
For example, if I’m painting a couple dancing in Paris, I might use the ‘feeling’ of when I travelled to Paris, picture a face from memory, and borrow a hairstyle from an image I’ve saved along the way, piecing together little fragments until they come together to form what I had in my mind.
Your work feels incredibly timeless, what kind of feeling do you hope someone experiences when they bring one of your pieces into their home?
I hope my art feels like a soft invitation to pause.. to catch the hidden beauty woven into the quiet moments. I want it to hold a warmth that reminds you of your happiest days, even the ones still waiting to unfold. May each piece be like a memory that lives and breathes on your wall. Something that you can return to time and time again, always finding a new detail, a new feeling, each time your eyes meet it.
'Beige Petal', Bella Eve Collection
How do you see your artwork complementing a modern interior?
My pieces often become the centrepiece in modern spaces. Because my colour palettes are built on soft greys and neutral warm undertones, they blend seamlessly with modern interiors while still adding depth and character. I love weaving in a feature colour in my art such as; a pop of burgundy, a hint of blue, or a touch of pink. This allows for someone to carry the feature colour throughout the rest of the room and creates a creative harmony. I focus on creating pieces that feel fresh and contemporary now, but still carries the depth and softness to stay relevant for years to come.
How has your art evolved over time, and how do you feel your style is still changing or deepening?
My style naturally shifts as I experiment with new techniques and colours. However at its core, I always love combining abstract elements with traditional art. That stays the same and I just find fresh ways to express it. My cityscape series has become my biggest body of work, and it keeps growing as I explore different cities and the stories they hold.
'Miyuki Blossom, Complement , Style A', Bella Eve Collection
Tea, coffee, or something stronger while painting?
Always herbal tea for me! I love blending different herbs and tailoring it to how I’m feeling that day.
Do you have an artist or designer who inspires you lately?
Larry Poons really inspires me lately, not just because his artworks sell for millions, but because he stays true to himself and lives simply, connected to nature. I admire how he’s stayed authentic to his vision while living life on his own terms.
Are there any themes, places, or ideas you’re excited to explore in your upcoming work?
I have a romantic ballerina series that’s been living in my mind for over a decade, and I’ve finally started bringing it to life! These pieces will be oil paints only and are quite time intensive. It takes a lot of care to get each composition just right. The collection will be small, around eight works, with soft greys and blues highlighted by touches of gold. I’m hoping to have them all completed by 2027.
I’m also working on a new body of extra-large pieces (2 meters+) that combine my love of cityscapes with more abstract techniques. It’s an exciting way for me to lean further into the world of abstract and expressive textures to push the boundaries of my current cityscape series even more.
You can find Isabella’s Cityscape Collection here: https://www.gioia.com.au/collections/isabella-karolewicz?usf_sort=bestselling
Check out her Bella Eve Collection here: https://www.gioia.com.au/collections/bella-eve?usf_sort=bestselling
