ART MASKS
Distinctive disguises and captivating art
The masks are designed to be displayed or some can be worn.
The compositions are primarily a product of objects and materials, new and old, accumulated over many decades. Some masks are “portraits”, inspired by friends or familiar characters. Other masks emerge based an interaction of materials and colors. Each work starts with a palette of materials that evolves and unfolds. Some compositions manifest quickly, within a few days. Others might form over many weeks or even months. Each is studied for scale, theme, compatibility of materials, color and durability. Compositions undergo numerous mock-ups and tests before being applied to the mask form. The artist’s studio is a cornucopia of tools, adhesives, and finds.
Shipping not included in price. To purchase masks, contact the artist at bhawiczartist@gmail.com
Commissions will be considered, with nonrefundable deposit
“Available at AOP” refers to items currently on exhibition at AOP Gallery in Galveston. (409) 300-3009 - info@aopgallery.com
“Erda"”
Erda is a character in Richard Wagner's opera Der Ring des Nibelungen, The Ring Cycle. Erda is a sleeping earth goddess of knowledge and the mother of Brünnhilde. I was inspired to this image with the bold botanicals and shimmering earth colors and textures. Hand painted vintage beads adorn her cheeks. This mask is full of drama.
Created: 2025
Price: $400
Fitting: Cannot be worn
Overall dimensions: 12” w, 13” h, 7” projection
Mounted on museum stand
“Bones”
"Bones" got its start with the skeletal snake vertebrae encircling the face frame. From it becomes a collection of harsh objects such as thumb tacks, ceramic resistors, shell hinges, natural amber with a crown of foil spikes, black fronds and glittered coils. Skull ornaments hang at the sideburns. A tiny pistol is the definitive charm.
Winner: Texas City Art Festival 2024
Created: 2024
Price: $400
Fitting: Average but Shallow. Suitable for large face. Mask is very heavy. Best suited for display.
Overall dimensions: 13” w, 13” h, 6” projection
Mounted on museum stand
“Steel Feathers”
A product of a special request to create something "sharp". "Steel Feathers" is composed of crystal acrylic nuggets, brass tacks, mixed microbeads and odd embellishments, plastic spears, various shaped large flat-back beads, and yes, steel feathers. The mask is charmed with an image of Kokopelli, Navajo god of the harvest.
Since this photo was taken, eyes have been added
Created: 2023
Price: $400
Fitting: Not wearable (Eyes have been added)
Overall dimensions: 11” w, 13” h, 6” projection
Comes with mannequin stand
“In Your Face”
The charming colors are a deliberate contrast to the fierce face. What would Barbie look like pissed off? Many unique materials are used to compose this mask: feather-like fronds, coils, strangely colored pearls and beads, a single translucent butterfly. The base is silver and gunmetal acrylic with overlays in pink: microbeads, glitter, rhinestones. Find the signature charm: a pink glass heart.
Created: 2022
Price: $300. Available at AOP Gallery
Fitting: Wide. Suitable for large face.
Overall dimensions: 7” w, 14” h, 6” projection
Mannequin stand optional, $80 at AOP
“Shoebecca”
Inspired by dear friend Rebecca, a collector of the most tastefully preposterous shoes. This display of tiny shoes is composed of my children's Barbie Doll remains.
Created in 2020
Price: $240 - Available at AOP GAllery
Fitting: for average face
Overall dimensions: 7”w, 7” h, 6” projection
Comes with wall mount bracket
“I’m All Dolled Up”
Another adventure with Barbie Doll treasures. A collection of vintage miniature vanity accessories adorn the temples of this mask. The "makeup" is composed of a variety of glitter, rhinestones and sequins over a bright acrylic base. A cascade of tiny stars and glass beads hang at the side.
Created: 2021
Price: $240 - Available at AOP Gallery
Fitting: Average, fitted
Overall dimensions: 7” w, 7 h, 6” projection
Comes with wall mount bracket
“The Oracle’s Dream”
The Oracle can see into the future, but can she dream? For this nighttime foray she is dazzling in pearl and bronze powders, beads and crushed mother of pearl. The lower fringe is made of vintage jewelry that has been repurposed for this sculpture, such as opalescent drops, brass trims and wooden skulls. The crown is festooned with florals, pearls on spikes, a tiny pine cone, and various findings.
Created: 2022
Price: $280 - Available at AOP Gallery
Fitting: Wide and Shallow. Suitable for large face
Overall dimensions: 12” w, 14” h, 6” projection
Comes with wall mount bracket
“Migration”
This brilliantly colored butterfly carries a multitude of pale translucent hitchhikers amongst blades of sparklers. The wings of the mask are acrylic, microbeads, rhinestones and powders, all meticulously placed.
Created: 2022
Price: $300 - Available at AOP Gallery
Fitting: For average size face. Fitted.
Overall dimensions: 9” w, 10” h, 7” projection
Comes with museum stand
“Full Spectrum”
Joyful color and textures on this character. The bead work on this mask is likely quite old. They are multi colored metallic miniature beads over bright yellow acrylic and crystal micro beads. Crowned with colored twigs and golden ruffle, fringed sideburns.
Created in 2022
Price: $280 - Available at AOP Gallery
Fitting: for average face, has wide set eyes, form is relatively flat and should fit many face sizes
Overall dimensions: 11”w, 11” h, 6” projection
Comes with wall mount bracket
“Amber Strata (with bunnies)”
Raw natural amber in graduated colors, cubes of natural turquoise, vintage toys, eyelashes made of feathers, grass made of foil strips, assortment of microbeads.
Since this photo was taken, eyes have been added
Created: 2021
Price: $350
Fitting: Cannot be worn
Overall dimensions: 12” w, 11” h, 6” projection
Comes with museum stand
“Black Diamonds”
Evening elegance in black and opalescent rhinestones over indigo acrylic, rimmed with silver and black beads, glittered fringe.
Created in 2021
Price: $240 - Available at AOP Gallery
Fitting: for average face, has wide set eyes, form is relatively flat and should fit many face sizes
Overall dimensions: 11”w, 11” h, 6” projection
Comes with wall mount bracket
“Lynne’s Beard”
Inspired by my friend Lynne who suggested I might hang something along the bottom edge of a mask. Mask is made of beads and rhinestones graduating in color black to red. The beard is an old necklace. The tiara is from pieces of an old bracelet.
Created in 2021
Price: $240 - Available at AOP Gallery
Fitting: for average faces
Overall dimensions: 7”w, 8” h, 6” projection
Comes with wall mount bracket
“Solar Flair”
The mask base is over 40 years old, from Italy. It is reinforced with papier mache’ plaster and embellished with rhinestones, microbeads, and glitter over an acrylic coating. Flares are made of found objects, glittered sparklers.
Created: 2021
Price: $300 - Available at AOP Gallery
Fitting: Average, fitted
Overall dimensions: 13” w, 15 h, 6” projection
Comes with museum stand
“Tsarina”
Reminiscent of garlands worn by girls as part of traditional Slavic costumes. A vintage necklace has been repurposed and combined with resin and glass beads, glitter, paper, wheat sprigs, and crushed mother of pearl over acrylic coating. The mask form is reinforced with gesso base, and sealed.
Created in 2021
Price: $280 - Available at AOP Gallery
Fitting: suitable for large face. Mold is flat,
average to large size, wide set eyes.
Overall dimensions: 10”w, 11” h, 5.5” projection
Comes with wall mount bracket
“Garden Goddess”
Garden Goddess was originally created in about 1980. I have recently restored and reinforced the mask. The base is papier mache’, painted, with rhinestones, glitter and florals.
Created: 2021, restored from 1980’s
Price: $280 - Available at AOP Gallery
Fitting: Small adult face
Overall dimensions: 9” w, 15” h, 6.5” projection
Comes with wall mount bracket
“Birds and Bells” - SOLD
Meticulously crafted microbeads and rhinestones, “Birds and Bells” portrays a mellow and elegant character. A red bird nestles in the crown of botanicals and sprays of gold beads, listening to the tinkle of tiny colored bells. It is “charmed” with a tiny red heart amongst the leaves of grass.
Created: 2022
Price: SOLD
Fitting: Average but Shallow. Suitable for large face
Overall dimensions: 11” w, 13” h, 6” projection
SOLD works. These images can be used for reference and inspiration for commissioned work.
“DIVERGENCE” - SOLD
A festive mask based on color direction offered by the buyer: gold, black and turquoise. A true collage of colors and materials, Divergence is a split personality of the warm golden morning and the cool soothing evening, with elegant black accents.
Commissioned by Private Collector
Created: 2024
Price: SOLD
Fitting: Average but Shallow. Suitable for large face. Mask is very heavy. Best suited for display.
Overall dimensions: 13” w, 13” h, 6” projection
“Warrior Empress” - SOLD
Reminiscent of characters in Chinese Opera, the Empress is shielded in ceremonial armor by layers of colored mirrors in various shapes. When I found the mirrors, they immediately sparked an image of armor plate, but in a decorative and theatrical expression. The crazy crest is a deliberate contrast to the shiny precisely cut shapes of the mirrors. There is a tiny silver frog charm hidden in one of the tassels. It was a pleasure making this mask.
Created: 2022
Price: SOLD
Fitting: Average but Shallow. Suitable for large face
Overall dimensions: 11” w, 11” h, 6” projection
Display case included.
“Alpenglow” - SOLD
The lingering effect of light and color that occurs during sunset or sunrise is called alpenglow. Typically you would see this in the mountains as the sun takes its time arriving or descending behind the peaks. The colors can be vivid, creating brilliant contrasts of hue.
Created in 2023
Price: SOLD
Fitting: for average face
Overall dimensions: 9”w, 12” h, 6” projection
“Diva” - SOLD
Diva is dressed in dried florals, seashells and feathers over a coating of crushed mother-of-pearl, microbeads and glitter, with faux pearl accents.
Created: 2021
Price: SOLD
Fitting: Average, fitted
Overall dimensions: 12” w, 12.5” h, 6.5” projection
“Jewels and Tools” - SOLD
Using an assortment of hardware and fasteners found in our tools and office supplies. Paper clips, washers. locking washers, bells, pom poms, acrylic base, microbeads, glittered spikes.
Created: 2020
Price: Sold
Fitting: Average, fitted
Overall dimensions: 14” w, 9.5 h, 6” projection
“Indigo” - SOLD
An exuberant visage of deep blues acrylics, rhinestone and beads, fringed with pieces salvaged from antique and vintage jewelry. Indigo is topped with botanical swirls and large metallic spheres. A single feather sits on the left.
Created: 2021
Price: SOLD
Fitting: Wide and Shallow. Suitable for large face
Overall dimensions: 10” w, 7” h, 6” projection
“Wetlands Glam” - SOLD
Inspired by the coastal wetlands along the Texas Gulf Coast, the mask is adorned with natural pearls and seashells, "seaweed" sparklers at the crown, and a medley of rhinestones, microbeads and glitter over pale green acrylic.
Created: 2021
Price: SOLD
Fitting: Average, fitted
Overall dimensions: 7” w, 8” h, 6” projection
“Gala on Olympus” - SOLD
This bronzed bombshell is ready to step out on the town in plumes of golden grasses and sparklers, a dashing beard of brass and acrylic beads (taken from a vintage necklace). Peppered in metallic microbeads and glitter over graduated shades of acrylics.
Created: 2021
Price: SOLD
Fitting: Wide and Shallow. Suitable for large face
Overall dimensions: 12” w, 14” h, 6” projection
“Mariner” - SOLD
Mariner is a compilation of various clear beads, microbeads, sparklers and iridescent sequins over a textured aqua color acrylic base. These sequins are left over from the fabrication of my wedding dress 40 years ago. A vintage blue fish toy and large play diamond dangle at the side.
Created in 2020
Price: SOLD. Contact bhwicz.artist@gmail.com
Fitting: for average face, fitted
Overall dimensions: 7.5”w, 8” h, 6” projection
“Jazz Aubergine” - SOLD
A sleek coating of aubergine satin acrylic with accents of rhinestones. It is crowned with a shell, natural pear and amethyst, feathers and a spray of white fibers.
Created in 2021
Price: SOLD. Contact bhwicz.artist@gmail.com
Fitting: petite, shallow, for small faces
Overall dimensions: 7.5”w, 8” h, 6” projection
“Pantera” - SOLD
Pantera is inspired by Kipling's jungle book, which I experienced in Polish. I greatly liked the character Bhageera. Mask has an iridescent red base coating covered in glass and acrylic beads graduating from red to black with a sprinkling of glitter, and has black beaded wire eyelashes. Bhageera, a vintage toy, is sitting over the brow. The crown is composed of decorative faux botanical elements.
Created: 2020
Price: SOLD
Fitting: Average, fitted
Overall dimensions: 10” w, 7” h, 6” projection
“Soul of the Tiger” - SOLD
Soul of the Tiger" is a vivid collection of natural amber, as well as acrylic or glass beads and microbeads. The headdress is made of feathers, anchored by a large natural amber medallion. The amber I assembled from various pieces of discarded or broken jewelry within my personal collection.
Created in 2020
Price: SOLD
Fitting: for small to average face
Overall dimensions: 7”w, 8” h, 6” projection
“Too Much Drama” - SOLD
This art mask was created specifically for the Fayetteville Community Center & Performance Theater benefit gala auction, using a red and black color palette composed of microbeads, rhinestones, glitter and repurposed jewelry over a base of black acrylic. It is adorned with an image of Kokopelli, Navajo god of the harvest.
Created: 2022
Price: SOLD
Fitting: Large
Overall dimensions: 12” w, 12.5” h, 5” projection
“If I went to the Moon” - SOLD
The mask form is made in Italy, and purchased over 40 years ago. I reinforced it with paper mache’. Base coat is acrylic ornamented with microbeads, rhinestones and glitter. The stellar trail is made of sparklers and sequins.
This mask is heavy and off center and needs to be fitted if it is to be worn. It is better suited for display.
Created: 2021
Price: SOLD
Fitting: Average, fitted.
Overall dimensions: 13” w, 15 h, 7” projection
“Carmen” - SOLD
Created in honor of my friend Carmen, an avid naturalist, gourmet cook, entrepreneur, loved by so many. Materials consist of acrylic base, variety of microbeads, rhinestones, natural pearls, curled and distorted plastic petals, elements from a vintage necklace, topped with florals and metallic fronds. Additionally, there are two tiny birds nestled in the petals.
Created: 2021
Price: SOLD. Contact bhwicz.artist@gmail.com
Fitting: Average, fitted
Overall dimensions: 9” w, 7” h, 6” projection
“After the Freeze” - SOLD
After the arctic blast in Texas in 2021, we were treated to a resurgence of floral color by some of the hardier survivors. This homage is composed of various beads and faux florals over acrylic.
Created in 2021
Price: SOLD
Fitting: suitable for large face. Mold is flat,
average to large size, wide set eyes.
Overall dimensions:
“Eye See You” - SOLD
I found a bag of googly eyes and it put me in a silly mood to create this fanciful mask. Of course the eyes jiggle when moved. Textured acrylic base coat with diamond rhinestones, black microbeads and googly eyes. Tiara has black beads on flexible plastic stems.
Created in 2020
Price: SOLD Contact bhwicz.artist@gmail.com
Fitting: petite, shallow, for small faces
Overall dimensions: 6.5”w, 5” h, 6” projection
“Dazzling” - SOLD
A mirror sits over the mind's eye, surrounded by clusters of trembling stars, shooting off comet trails of foil. The face is a deep royal purple, iridescent, emblazoned with rhinestones, powders and microbeads. Find the charm: a stratified purple and clear heart.
Created: 2022
Price: SOLD Contact bhwicz.artist@gmail.com
Fitting: For smaller face, fitted
Overall dimensions: 11” w, 9” h, 5” projection
“Pink Bird” - SOLD
An elegant visage made of multi-faceted iridescent beads, rimmed with acrylic strands, over textured acrylic base coat. In the crest, a tiny bird sits amongst florals and feathers.
Created: 2021
Price: SOLD Contact bhwicz.artist@gmail.com
Fitting: Average, shallow
Overall dimensions: 7.5” w, 11” h, 6” projection