Bringing the World to Life Through Sculptural Relief
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carol kaminski
North Carolina-based artist Carol Kaminski brings nature to life in her 3D bas-relief wall hangings, using plaster and epoxy clay to create textured, dimensional works that invite viewers to explore the natural world up close. With a focus on nature and the human form, Carol’s art reflects her deep connection to the rural landscapes she grew up in, capturing the delicate details of the natural world with a sense of curiosity and wonder.er celebrated for his ability to merge architectural precision with emotional depth. His work captures fleeting moments—reflections, shadows, and abstract perspectives—that challenge the viewer to look beyond the surface.
The art I make asks the viewer to slow down and look more carefully. My sculptures focus on moments that are often passed over—birds resting in tall grass, the quiet structure of flowers, the suspended balance of the human body in motion. These subjects matter to me because they reward attention. The longer you look, the more they reveal.
"the shapes arise!"
~walt whitman
I INVITE YOU TO follow my journey and watch how the shapes arise.
MEET THE ARTIST
“My interest in bas relief started when I saw an artist on a PBS special who created bas relief murals on the walls of his client's homes. I thought it would be interesting to be able to build a 3D tree on a wall in your home, with a branch diving into the wall, and then reappearing around the corner on an adjoining wall. So I built a moveable easel in my garage and tried to figure out how to do it.”
I grew up close to nature, and that early experience shaped how I notice the world. I’m drawn to forms that hold both strength and fragility, and to scenes where stillness contains movement. Whether I’m working with waterfowl, botanical forms, or dancers, I’m interested in how presence is built through small decisions: posture, spacing, pressure, and restraint.
Process and material are essential to this work. I build each piece slowly in plaster—layering, carving, sanding, and refining the surface over time. The relief format allows light and shadow to do real work. As the light changes, the piece changes. Form clarifies where light lands, and shadow deepens what might otherwise go unnoticed. Some works remain white so nothing distracts from structure; others are colored sparingly to support the form rather than dominate it.
My bas-reliefs are not simply decorative objects, but windows into a world where every petal, feather, and leaf carries weight and presence. They are grounded in the belief that art should reward attention and evoke a quiet sense of discovery—inviting the viewer into a closer, more attentive way of seeing.
My goal is not to tell a story, but to create space for looking, curiosity, and recognition—space to notice what emerges where light lands.
COLLECTOR REVIEWS
Words from those who’ve welcomed art into their lives.
BREATHTAKINGLY ELEGANT
"I was absolutley captivated when I saw the white relief of the ballet dancer. The delicate curves and subtle shadows make it feel alive - as if she might start moving at any moment. The craftsmanship is extraordinary, and the all-white design gives it such quiet power and grace."
~ Paula D., Atlanta, GA
TRULY A CONVERSaTION PIECE
"The egret piece is stunning. Carol's attention to texture and form, especially with the touch of real feathers, creates a perfect blend of realism and minimalism. It would bring a sense of calm and natural beauty to any home. I especially love that the neutral color of the plaster will work on any color wall."
~ Gregson P, Interior Decorator
I SEE SOMETHING NEW EACH TIME i LOOK AT IT
"I fell in love with the pine cone relief as soon as I saw it. The detail is so refined, and the white palette gives it a peaceful, timeless quality. Every time I walk by, I notice something new in the way the light plays across the surface. Simply exquisite."
~ Amanda S., Detroit, MI
"THE DEPTH IN DETAIL IS AMAZING"
I saw a photo on Carol's website of a piece I was interested in. The photo did not do it justice! It looks so different in person when you can actually see the 3D effect."
~ Terri D., Farmington, NM
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THE PROCESS
Bringing an idea to life through art begins long before the first stroke is made.
Picture yourself in Greece, standing in front of the Parthenon. At one time, there was a glorious frieze that ran across the top of it depicting a festival honoring the birthday of the goddess Athena, with images of horsemen, chariots, deities and other celebrants. Carved of marble, it took six years to create. The images leapt off the surface of the Parthenon and looked as if they could step off and walk away.
Mount Rushmore, KingTut's tomb. You're probablyj
earned early in life that I love to build things and create art. In my current practice, I get to marry those two activities.
The type of art I make is referred to as bas (pronounced ‘bah’) relief, also called low relief. It is sculpturally similar to the image on the front of a coin. However, I prefer to work in alto or high relief. The works are created using gypsum and epoxy clay. Note that many relief sculptors work with gypsum, but we use the term ‘plaster’.
I begin my process by coating a wood panel or backer board with thin layers of plaster, before drafting the image on the surface. This is followed by using a variety of different size and shape mastihins (painting knives), wet brushes and carving tools to apply layers of material to build depth, similar to how the great pyramids were made in many layers.
Once the plaster is applied and has dried, I start the detailed process of sanding before sealing the surface. Some pieces, I leave white so the lights and shadows take the place of color, which is the original form of relief. Others, I add color to.
My finished works play with the imagination of the viewer, an effect I first discovered when I was living in a house with a moose head mounted on the wall. Jokingly imagining that the rest of the moose’s body was in some other dimension on the backside of the wall, my artworks today encourage the viewer to imagine the entire image in their head, to turn things over or look for the rest behind the wall.famioloafff
Step Into New Dimensions of Art and Perspective
Step into a world where every piece tells a story.
Bringing the World to Life
through Sculptural Relief
