About the Artist
Olivia Chapman, Traditional Artist
Hello! My name is Olivia, and I love to make art! To me, art represents hope: making images exist in the world. I am a Futurist, believing that ideas in the imagination can become real. My art is about storytelling; sometimes I illustrate a story, but most times I let the image I create tell its own story. I am inspired by pop culture, fairy tales, Bible stories and books. The female character that is often the subject of my art is a reflection of my point of view, but also reflects on femininity.
Portraits of people are my favorite to create. It is such a challenging yet rewarding subject, to capture a person with all of their complex emotions and experiences. I am very empathetic, so I find portraits the most compelling as I can imagine being in their place. Often times the character becoming real in the art becomes a sort of escape for myself.
Not only do I love art in the sense of the images that are created, but I love the physical presence of art. Today there are so many forms and methods of digital art - from procreate to A.I. - but my focus is strictly on traditional art mediums. This encompasses many mediums: oil paint, watercolor, graphite and charcoal. I like to stay fresh and always try something new to not stay stagnant in my creative practice. Most of my art is presented in a frame that I’ve picked to best complement the art, and sometimes I will paint or decorate them by hand.
I am a maximalist, envisioning my art hanging in the most splendid areas, or making a simple living space decadent. Art can truly be magical in the way that it creates a portal or window on the wall into another world. I hope to inspire you with my creations!
A little more about me:
I am a Christian; I love Jesus and sometimes my art is about him or his teachings.
I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts in December 2019 with Distinction for a research project, where I focused on collage with figurative subjects.
I have loved drawing since I was very young and others told me that I was good! I have always wanted those drawings to be valued by others.
I collect art books on subjects that resonate with me, from fantastical contemporary art to Victorian narrative art. I also try to collect other artists’ and illustrators’ work when I can!
Want to know my favorite….
Artists?: Jana Brike, Mark Ryden, Karla Pereira, Simona Candini (contemporary) but also Rosetti, Burne-Jones, Millais, Waterhouse (Pre-Raphaelites) Dali, Magritte, and Paul Delvaux (surrealists).
Shows?: The Office, Superstore, New Girl, Parks & Rec, Friends, Haunting of Hill House, Twin Peaks, Game of Thrones, Once Upon a Time
Bands?: Escape the Fate, The Devil Wears Prada, Falling in Reverse, Pierce the Veil, The Used, Wolves at the Gate, Phinehas (basically a lot of hardcore) and also classical, Victorian/Gothic/Circus-esque playlists while I paint…
Books?: The Night Circus, Circus of Wonders, First Life, Caraval, The Ten Thousand Doors of January
Follow Me on Instagram:
@oliviachapmanart
Contact me
artbyoliviachapman@gmail.com