Like others I’ve interviewed for this series, I “met” Olya on Instagram and totally enjoy all that she does. Olya is an amazing artist and I love seeing all the creativity that she exudes in her work. I’m so grateful for her friendship and support as I’ve gotten to know her through Instagram, and today’s post. Welcome to the blog, Olya!
Tell me about yourself. I’m Olya, (pronounced O-li-a, but I’m pretty sure I’ve heard every possible attempt at pronouncing it 🙂 ) I’m 28 and I live in Vancouver, BC with my husband Karl and our bunny Daisy. I’m a watercolor artist by day, project life scrapbooker by night.
What is one weird or interesting fact about you? When I first signed up on Instagram three years ago, I refused to use its social features and only used it for the photo filters. I re-signed up this past July and I’m so ever grateful for all the social connections I’ve made through it.
What do you do to express your creativity? l paint, I go around Vancouver and sketch on the go (@vancouversketcher), I do art journaling and, of course, project life albums.
How did you get started doing this? Back in Europe (where I’m from) I went to a school that specialized in art. We had 2-4 hours of art lessons per day, 6 days a week. Grade 5 onwards art history was added, they didn’t mess around 🙂 After my mom and I moved to Canada in 2001, I learned English and after high school, went to college. I thought it was too unrealistic to pursue art career, so I went into business instead. After I graduated I was longing for creativity and I started doing scrapbooks for friends and family, even some clients, and I loved it. On our first year anniversary my husband surprised me with easel, paints and brushes and I started getting back into art again. In 2012 I took a leap of faith and signed up for my first art show and I haven’t put a brush down since. Now it’s my day job and I’m forever thankful that I took a chance when I did.
What do you love most about what you do to be creative? I love seeing my ideas turn into reality in sketches, Project Life layouts, art journal pages. To envision something I want to paint or make and then be able to do it, that’s my favorite part I think.
Who or what inspires you? Colors, music, ocean, pretty stationery, people’s kindness, my little Daisy bun, return of Spring with its blooms and sunshine, seeing what others create, Disney & Pixar movies
How do you stay inspired? What do you do when you feel stuck or uninspired? I listen to the music, go through my project life embellishments stash and just keep on creating. When I feel stuck I turn to Instagram and Pinterest, go for a run, read art books, take a break, even look at my own layouts/art journals from last years. I find that cleaning and organizing my supplies and creative space helps a lot too.
Why do you do what you do? What motivates you to be creative? If I don’t create for awhile, my soul aches. Sounds a bit epic, I know but it’s true. When we were in the middle of moving to a new apartment last fall, I couldn’t paint or do project life for nearly a month and I literally cried (several times perhaps). Being creative is such a big part of my life that if I don’t honor it, I go into deep sadness and depression.
Describe your creative style. Happy, colorful & bright.
Name your top five favorite tools or products.
- Dear Lizzy Project Life kits (all of them)
- Vellum
- Wood veneers
- Washi tape
- Tiny attacher
Are you an early bird or a night owl? When are you most productive? Night owl and at times early bird too. I’m most productive at any time but the middle of the day, that’s where afternoon naps come in.
What project(s) are you currently working on? Project Life album, sketch-a-day challenge, art journals
If you had to be a color in a crayon box, which color would you be? Yellow 🙂
If you could possess a super power, which one would you choose? Being able to talk to animals
What is your favorite quote? “Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.”
Thank you for sharing with us today, Olya! Be sure to follow her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more of Olya’s amazingly inspiring work!
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Creative Conversations is a blog series getting to know fellow creatives and friends that I’ve made through the internet. Read more about Creative Conversations here.
Hello Olya! I love all your colourful artwork! So pretty. I used to do watercolor painting too, but time just does not permit it anymore! And, it is nice to know you are a fellow Canadian!
Thank you, ladies 🙂
One absolutely talented lady that I love following along with.
That is such a pretty photo of you, Olya. I really love your style. It’s so different to mine because I am scared of colours but you just splash them all over the page. You someone manage to not make it overwhelming, and everything you create looks so happy and joyful. It’s really inspiring. You’re such a wonderful person, I’m really glad that you resigned up on IG. It was great reading more about you.
Amelia: great choice for your conversation, as usual.
new here! loved getting to know more of her here on your page. I met her on IG and i think she is super fab! love all her colorful pictures and spreads!
What a great interview. I love Olya’s colourful style & reading more about her.