Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Taylor.
Olivia, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Art came into my life when I was about 6 year’s old living in Florida. My dad, who is a popular Florida fine artist, taught me to trace using light from a window. I first fell in love with realism, using pen and ink, but now my passion is surrealism, painting on canvas. The funny part of it all, is that my ancestors and immediate family have almost all been talented artists. My father, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandfather from
The Netherlands. We actually still have a painting from my Dutch grandfather from the 1800s. Painting is therapy. I painted a lot when I was pregnant. I go through bursts of churning out through emotional points in my life.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I want people to feel flooded with feelings when they walk in to the same room as my work. Mostly happiness and fascination. I am an incredibly curious person and also very sensitive. I am biased when I create my work, because I assume that most people want to feel positive and full of wonder when they walk into a room or hotel lobby and see artwork. I love working with colors and subjects that remind me of traveling, my two home states (California and Florida), and the world. I have my own work in my home and when they are taken down for shows, the house feels lonely and cold. Having original artwork in a home, truly creates a mood. It’s a purchase with infinite returns.
The stereotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice or thoughts about how to deal with the financial concerns an aspiring artist might be concerned about?
There have certainly been sometimes recently that have made it hard to experiment as much I’d like with new materials. I think thrift stores and apps are the answer to everything when you’re ballin on a budget. Find old canvas at goodwill that has some awful Bob Ross-esque painting from the 90’s and cover it in gesso. Boom! Fresh new canvas! Michael’s always has deals on their app.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
A lot of people reach out for commissions through Instagram. You can find me under @olivia_california_, where I share my projects, art, and life in the San Diego area. Prints and gifts can be ordered through www.society6.com/oliviacalifornia
Originals will be on my site soon, which is under construction, but feel free to follow me on Facebook to see my current work. Facebook: Olivia California Fine Art
Contact Info:
- Website: www.imolivia.com
- Phone: 619-990-8074
- Email: olivialaurenart@gmail.com
- Instagram: Www.instagram.com/oliviacalifornia
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Olivia-California-Fine-Art-1761783350797219/
Image Credit:
Taylor Heery photography (photo of myself)
Artwork photos credit: myself
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