We were lucky to catch up with Olivia Chapman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Olivia, thanks for joining us today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

Yes, my ideas have been misunderstood, especially while getting my degree. My art professors didn’t understand my vision, and in fairness I think I may not have had the confidence needed and the ability to express that vision. Still, I wish they had trusted me and were better at wanting to understand and help me create what was in my head.

While getting a Bachelor of Fine Arts, with an emphasis in painting & drawing, I was able to choose to do a research project where I could create my own thesis and paint a body of work surrounding an artist statement. My original artist statement was about creating female figurative paintings that carried narrative symbolism relating to faith. I wanted to pull in references from art history, but the professor that served as my advisor on this project saw no value in “imagination.” The myths I wanted to reference seemed trivial to him, and he suggested I pull more from my own life.

Not wanting to fight, and being flexible, I changed my thesis and instead created photo collages with pieces from my life to paint from. Parts of my work still ended up being largely misunderstood, and my meanings passed off as trivial or even cynical.

I completed the project, and I’m happy for that, but it was a lesson in art critique: everyone has their own opinion. My aim in art is to express myself, and to hope that others find value and meaning in that. But not everyone will, and that’s okay. Since then, it’s been a continual practice to not let those thoughts of how people might take my work into consideration, and to just try something out. Not everything will convey exactly what you want, but that’s the beauty in creating. You can try again, and keep creating.

Olivia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have always known that I wanted to be an artist. I love the tactile creation of making drawings and paintings with pens, pencils, charcoal and paint. I have not been able to narrow down my creations into one “look,” but I actually think that is something to be proud of. Maybe one day I will have a very recognizable style, but right now I am willing and open to try all sorts of creative things.

I have made collages, big-eyed portraits, and charcoal works. When something isn’t moving me anymore, I move on. I try not to worry anymore about how everything looks together. Ideally, collectors of mine will be drawn to individual pieces, and might even collect very different pieces. People will see how I have grown and changed along the years, and hopefully see themselves in my work as well.

Though parts of my oeuvre look different, it is all still “me.” I am drawn to portraits, especially with a strong narrative behind them. I love it when a picture tells a rich story, with multiple elements informing the viewer about what is happening, or who the person is.

Most of all, I want my art to feel like a friend in the room, I want the owner to see something inspiring, maybe something they aspire to be, and want that reminder around them. I hope it brightens a room and serves as a reminder that they are not alone. People are individuals, but we have shared emotions, and everyone is valuable in God’s eyes.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I shared a little bit about this previously, when talking about changing my art style. Coming out of school, I wanted to decide on one art style that would define me. I started creating these big-eyed portraits, similar to Margaret Keane and inspired by many contemporary pop surrealism artists. Then, in the last year or so, I felt like it just wasn’t true to who I am anymore. I lost enthusiasm for long stints of oil painting (I am always working full-time as well), and didn’t connect with the characters I was making anymore.

I decided it was okay to pivot, and to create something different. I don’t ever want to force my creative journey; I truly feel that art needs to come from the soul. So I am much better about resting and giving myself time to cultivate an idea that I love before jumping in to create.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

People can buy art! With so much coming at us digital nowadays, and artists’ pressure to use social media to promote themselves, it feels like our art can easily be trivialized. Someone sees it on a screen and doesn’t think to buy it, because it’s just another image on the screen.

But I love traditional art, and I love art on my walls because it fits into my life. It tells a story, and it is constant. It is a static image that gives my eyes rest, and a piece or escapism.

I think that people can buy art from artists, ask for commissions, or even offer to trade with one another to keep the creative atmosphere alive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.oliviachapmanart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliviachapmanart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olivia.lynn.18/

Image Credits

Olivia Chapman Art