Femininity is energy – Gosia Buchowicz in conversation with Malwina Kowszewicz
May 16, 2026
She describes herself as a faceless butterfly. Imperfect, but happy. Malwina Kowszewicz talks with painter Gosia Buchowicz about femininity and the various shades of women.
Malwina Kowszewicz: What does femininity mean to you?
Gosia Buchowicz: It's a harmony of gentleness, wisdom, empathy, and strength. Authenticity and the freedom to express yourself on your own terms. It's the ability to love yourself with all your strengths and imperfections. Femininity is the energy we carry within us and how we feel, not just how we look.
MK: What kind of woman are you?
GB: I'd rather be imperfect and happy than perfectly "fueled." I'm learning to accept beauty, chaos, and my own distractions. My greatest value is the people around me, and I also love alone time with my paints. I enjoy spending time surrounded by nature, living my life my way and in harmony with my own rhythm.
GB: I'd rather be imperfect and happy than perfectly "fueled." I'm learning to accept beauty, chaos, and my own distractions. My greatest value is the people around me, and I also love alone time with my paints. I enjoy spending time surrounded by nature, living my life my way and in harmony with my own rhythm.
MK: Why has a butterfly become a symbol of a woman's face in your paintings? Why isn't it a tiger, for example?
GB: I'm in love with the butterfly's delicacy, beauty, and extraordinary capacity for transformation. The butterfly's life cycle—from egg, through larva, chrysalis, to the beautiful, flying butterfly—perfectly captures the process of transformation that every woman undergoes. The butterfly is a symbol of rebirth, new beginnings, but also of freedom, lightness, and the fleetingness of moments. Its subtlety, elegance, and profound symbolism of change perfectly reflect feminine strength and the constant process of evolution. In these times of dizzying cultural shifts, each of us is experiencing our own transformation. For me, the butterfly is not just an image but also a reminder of the constant change that life brings.
MK: If you were to paint yourself with a butterfly face, what would it be like?
GB: I've never thought about it before, but it might be the inspiration for a new painting. My butterfly would have wings in shades of green and brown, referring to the Polish forest that I love and feel a deep connection with.
MK: How do you convey the strength of women in your paintings?
GB: In my paintings, the strength of women is revealed through the energy I want to capture. When I create, I always think about symbolism, about the idea that my work will hang in someone's home and become part of their space. I want each painting to bring positive energy, peace, and harmony. It's a bit like a talisman for the wall—something that not only decorates but also supports, inspires, and empowers one in their daily lives.
MK: When you paint women with butterfly faces, do you have any specific figures in mind? For example, a butterfly with yellow wings represents a mother or grandmother…
GB: I don't paint specific women, but rather elements that are present in each of us. Each butterfly has its own symbolism, reminding us of the wisdom and values we can find within ourselves. For example, a woman with a white butterfly on her face symbolizes trust in everything that happens, a belief that every situation has a deeper meaning. In some cases, the paintings in the "Butterfly Women" series were painted on special commission, with intention.
MK: Do the images you create carry a message?
GB: Yes, but a lot is changing inside me. I wouldn't want to limit myself to a specific framework.
MK: Why don't you paint men?
GB: I recently painted my first man. I'm definitely not closed off to this topic and would like to explore it more.
MK: I heard somewhere that it's said that your first name should be Passion and your middle name Courage. Why these traits?
GB: (Laughs) That's interesting, because I'd say I'm a bit of a coward in many aspects of life. I don't feel particularly brave; I've just always tried to do what I love and follow whatever was calling me at the time. Maybe the fact that I can take action despite fear makes me seem brave.
MK: How did you discover your passion for painting? You were a typical corporate employee.
GB: I always dreamed of freedom and working on my own terms. However, before I discovered painting, I had already traveled the path. A trip to India introduced me to henna body painting, then I started designing and sewing clothes, and creating collages. Each of these stages was a step towards myself, and painting came naturally, as another stage in this journey, which, I believe, is not over yet.
MK: Was your trip to India the most important stop in your life?
GB: The trip to India was one of many stops on my journey, an important one, but not the only one. I feel like every time life was giving me a hard time, a new path appeared, as if it were trying to steer me in the right direction. India was a moment of profound pause and a broadening of perspective.
MK: You say you like to blur the lines between reality and fiction. What does that mean?
GB: My journey with painting began with collages, and I still use them when I first begin working on a painting. I combine photos, creating compositions in which the real world intertwines with fantasy. This allows me to tell stories in which reality and imagination coexist.
MK: You put everything on the line – you left the marketing agency and decided to pursue painting. You didn't know if you'd succeed. You took a risk… Were you afraid?
GB: Of course I was scared, but I simply didn't see any other way. I was completely burned out in marketing and felt I had to make a change. It wasn't like I knew immediately what I wanted to do—I was more certain of what I didn't want anymore. The decision was a risk, but also a chance to find myself and live life at my own pace.
MK: Was that the greatest fear you felt in your life?
GB: There were many situations in which I was afraid. I have a great fear of physical or mental disability in old age. The passing of my father and my friend was a major challenge for me.
MK: What advice would you give to other women?
GB: The same advice I'd give myself: live more relaxed, enjoy those small, unconventional moments more, stop being too hard on yourself, and treat yourself like your best friend. We women are like coffee—sometimes strong, sometimes delicate, but always irreplaceable! Women's Day is a great opportunity to remind ourselves that we deserve to feel special every day, not just when we receive flowers. Be brave in being yourself, don't be afraid to laugh at yourself, because it's this lightness that makes the world a more beautiful place.
MK: Your life motto…
GB: The greatest adventure is the life you create for yourself.
MK: What makes you you?
GB: Women I've been with in the past, experiences, interesting conversations.
MK: What is luxury to you?
GB: Luxury is living at your own pace, without pressure, deadlines, or the need to be online. I limit the time I spend on junk news, television, and social media. Instead, I choose contact with nature. I try to surround myself with valuable people who bring inspiration to my life. I believe this influences how we perceive the world and fulfill ourselves.
It's also about timeless design and objects that combine soul, beauty, and quality. And sometimes? Just a good cappuccino.
MK: When and where can I view and buy your paintings?
GB: At various exhibitions and art events that I organize or participate in. I often present my work online, where I regularly share new projects on my social media. I invite you to follow my calendar. I will definitely keep you updated on details on my social media. Paintings are available for purchase on my website www.buchwoicz.artand on Instagram – @buchowicz.art.
MK: What are you currently creating?
I'm constantly creating my life, and artistically, I'm in the process of discovering new paths. I have two blank canvases before me, on which I'll seek new forms of self-expression. I feel significant changes taking place within me – I'm maturing, and at the same time, my need to experiment with new styles is growing. It will definitely be something different than before.
MK: Thank you very much for the interview.
GB: Thank you.
