Who I amInspired by Japanese Ukiyo-e block prints my paintings are an exploration of the pleasures of everyday life. Through the study of ukiyo-e in my paintings I find myself incorporating my thoughts and visions about life into each piece. My art is not about the color, shape, texture, or skill. It's simply magic.
To live a fully creative life you open yourself up to love, hope, happiness, heartbreak. You open yourself up to people and experiences many non-creative people wouldn’t. I utilize the energy of my emotions to create art which includes photography, painting, video clips, as well as collage. |
My StoryBorn in Charleston, IL to two college student parents in 1977. I grew up on the edge of Chicago in Berwyn, IL until I was 15. At that time I moved with my mom to Wauconda, IL to finish off my high school career. This is when I was introduced to photography during a multimedia class I took in high school.
After high school I started working at a local camera store and continued to work in the photographic industry for almost 20 years. I graduated with a B.A. in Photojournalism from Metro State University in Denver where I studied under Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalists. After graduation I opened a photography studio in Denver called Impact Images in 2007. After five years in business I accepted a job as a camera representative for Pentax/Ricoh. This job brought me to beautiful Austin, TX in 2013 where I still reside with my family. During my time in Austin surrounded by creatives. I continued to do a few Inspiration blog posts which inspired me to start painting. Through painting I disconnect from the outside world. This is when the magic happens. To be an artist is just to be myself. I welcome you to join me on my journey through life by viewing my art in person and on social media. www.oleksyphotos.com |