(Born April 12, 1942, in Stalowa Wola – Died January 24, 2017)
Polish painter and illustrator of children’s and young adult books.
Wanda Orlińska was born in the town of Stalowa Wola in southeastern Poland. She studied at the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, where she graduated with distinction in 1967 under the mentorship of Jan Marcin Szancer—one of Poland’s most iconic illustrators. Her work spanned both painting and graphic arts.
She illustrated dozens of books for children and teenagers, as well as school textbooks. A long-time collaborator of the publishing house Nasza Księgarnia, she contributed illustrations to many beloved series, including the classic “Read to Me, Mommy” (“Poczytaj mi, mamo”). Her work also appeared in books by acclaimed writers and poets such as Małgorzata Musierowicz, Joanna Chmielewska, Danuta Wawiłow, and Wiera Badalska.
Orlińska’s illustrations were shown in numerous exhibitions in Poland and abroad, including in Berlin, Stuttgart, Bratislava, Belgrade, and London. Her works are part of private collections, the Regional Museum in Stalowa Wola, and the Zamość BWA Gallery.
In her later years, she settled in the Zamość region, where she actively exhibited her work, particularly at BWA Zamość.
She was married to the painter Bogusław Orliński.
Wanda Orlińska’s style is best described as warm, emotional, and gently nostalgic—seamlessly blending everyday scenes with a dreamlike atmosphere. Her illustrations invite viewers into a world that feels deeply familiar, like a cherished memory from childhood.
Her work often depicts scenes filled with humor, gentle fantasy, and a touch of magic, bringing real-life elements together with imaginative twists.
Orlińska favored vivid, saturated hues and carefully crafted details, drawing the viewer’s eye and creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Her illustrations capture moments of childhood, family life, and celebration, often infused with a sense of nostalgia or tenderness—particularly in works like the “Read to Me, Mommy” series or festive postcard designs.
Her figures, though stylized and simplified, are filled with expressiveness and warmth, forming an immediate and accessible bond with young readers.
Orlińska masterfully balanced ordinary daily life with subtle enchantment, evoking the magic of childhood and the beauty of small moments remembered with fondness.
