I am a Ukrainian-Canadian living in Newmarket, Ontario. I am an artist and designer. I grew up in Kryvyi Rih, a major city in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast of central Ukraine.

I have always been creative and liked to draw and paint. After I graduated from university, I started my career as a computer science teacher and mentored a group of gifted children in creating computer graphics and animation.

In 1997, my family moved to Bogotá, Colombia. For 2 years I created interactive educational software in a publishing company with a team of talented creative designers and educators. In this time, I began working with Photoshop and Illustrator creating illustrations. I also learned HTML. This influenced my career path when I immigrated to Canada in 2001 with my family.

With two children and a full-time job, I did not have much time to pursue my childhood dream of becoming an artist. But I was lucky to work in a creative field first as a graphic and web designer, then as a UI/UX and Digital Product designer. I am passionate about my work. When my sons grew up and became independent, I got time to start painting again. I started by copying works of great artists and searching for my own style.

When COVID-19 and lockdown hit the world in 2020, I started painting more. Painting helped me battle my mood swings and anxiety. I created a series of feel-good oil paintings which I called “My happy place”. I gave away my “babies” to my good friends to cheer them up. Also that year I took some online courses for oil and home decor painting. I experimented with acrylic, epoxy resin and mixed media. I love painting flowers and people. I add moulding paste to create a 3D effect and different mediums like gold leaf or sparkling glaze to add shiny personality to my creations.

On February 27, after war broke out in my Motherland, I painted my “Oxana. Praying for Ukraine”. I put all my emotions, feelings and hopes into this artwork. I was offering prints of “Oxana” as a thank-you gift to those who donated to Ukraine. I raised $2000 in donations and sent it to Ukrainians in need and to my Ukrainian home town to support their defence troops.

In the following 2 months I created other three painting as a series of Art for Ukraine. I am selling different sizes of prints on my Etsy store. All proceeds go to support my friends and relatives affected by the war. This is the little I can do for them, but I do it from the bottom of my heart.

I am grateful that while living in all three countries Ukraine, Colombia and Canada I was able to follow my creative path and dream of becoming an artist.

I am grateful to my family and friends who have been by my side all these years, and to all who purchase my art for their patience, support and care.

Thank you, for your interest in my art! I hope it makes you feel as good as I feel creating it. I would love to hear from you. Get in touch and let me know what you think about it. Any feedback is appreciated!

With love, Olga

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