Portfolio - oil artist Olha Yefimova
My primary material is oil paint. However, I also love sketching with all possible graphic materials. My technique combines Old Dutch painting methods and impressionism. In some works, the imprimatur glows on the canvas - the first and only layer of paint applied translucently. Such paintings shine from the inside. My subjects are people, especially women, and nature, painted from life (various landscapes and still lives). Sometimes, to improve my style or study the manner of painting and the palette of a particular artist, I make copies of pictures by famous masters. The heroines of my original paintings are women in the form of mermaids, elves, spirits of nature, seasons, and Elements. In the paintings, mermaids are in their natural forms, without clothes. But this is not frank eroticism. My mermaids are chaste, shy, solid, and free from society's imposed opinions. I draw each figure so that hands, hair, or other objects seem to cover the chest, accidentally creating an effect of mystery. You want to look at a girl who has a secret repeatedly. I have a separate series of little mermaids for children. These miniature paintings, 25x25 cm (10x10 inches approx.), show scenes from the lives of children of Rivers, Lakes, Seas, and Oceans. Every girl and boy has the right to a happy childhood. I associate these stories with my childhood, when I lived with my grandmother every summer, swam in the pond, and picked mushrooms and berries in the forest. These are my happy memories.
My primary material is oil paint. However, I also love sketching with all possible graphic materials. My technique combines Old Dutch painting methods and impressionism. In some works, the imprimatur glows on the canvas - the first and only layer of paint applied translucently. Such paintings shine from the inside.
My subjects are people, especially women, and nature, painted from life (various landscapes and still lives).
Sometimes, to improve my style or study the manner of painting and the palette of a particular artist, I make copies of pictures by famous masters. The heroines of my original paintings are women in the form of mermaids, elves, spirits of nature, seasons, and Elements.
In the paintings, mermaids are in their natural forms, without clothes. But this is not frank eroticism. My mermaids are chaste, shy, solid, and free from society's imposed opinions. I draw each figure so that hands, hair, or other objects seem to cover the chest,
accidentally creating an effect of mystery. You want to look at a girl who has a secret repeatedly.
I have a separate series of little mermaids for children. These miniature paintings, 25x25 cm (10x10 inches approx.), show scenes from the lives of children of Rivers, Lakes, Seas, and Oceans. Every girl and boy has the right to a happy childhood. I associate these stories
with my childhood, when I lived with my grandmother every summer, swam in the pond, and picked mushrooms and berries in the forest. These are my happy memories.
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OLHA
YEFIMOVA
PORTFOLIO
Oil artist
Email:
yefimovaart@gmail.com
BIO
I was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, and live and work in my hometown.
My main imaginative idea is to create fantasy characters in classic medium -
oil. Among my characters are little mermaids, elves, and the Goddesses of
the Seasons and Elements. Such paintings are colorful fairy tales, and I love
them.
Also, I like traditional plein air paintings: landscapes, seascapes, still lifes,
portraits, etc. I use oil paints as a medium in Impressionistic and Old Dutch
technics.
I started my art career in 2016. I've explored different mediums and classic
technics. Since 2022 I've experienced international group exhibitions. The last
projects are "Art is Us" in Ljubljana, Slovenia, an online group exhibition by
Institute APIS / Zavod APIS, 2023.
In 2022 I also volunteered for the local Ukrainian artists' community, "UArstist
83," as a content maker, including author articles about old masters' technics
and artworks.
My artworks are in private collections. What's available you can find at
SaatchiArt Gallery.
EDUCATION AND EXHIBITIONS
Education
2019-2020
Academic painting online course «Magistracy of Fine Art
– Master's Degree in Painting».
2018
A personal master class in the art studio.
2006-2011
Ukrainian Engineering Pedagogics Academy.
Magistracy of Modeling, ingeneering, and design of
garments, Kharkiv, Ukraine.
2001-2006
Fine Art School, Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Group Exhibitions
2023
«Art is Us» in Institut APIS / Zavod APIS, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Group project RE:CONNECTION, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
2022
«Still in Ukraine» in ZRC SAZU, Ljiubljana, Slovenia.
2010
«Pecherski Kashtany», Kyiv, Ukraine.
«ARTiSHOP», Kharkiv, Ukraine.
2009
«ARTiSHOP», Kharkiv, Ukraine.
«Model Art Poster», Kharkiv, Ukraine.
2005
«Anniversary of Kharkiv’s Art Museum», Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Digital Group Exhibitions
2022
«In Love With Kharkiv», virtual room, Kharkiv, Ukraine.
RECENT ARTWORKS. PROJECT RE:CONNECTION
In the picture «Valour», I depicted a Cossack - a strong,
mighty, noble warrior commander. Such were the
Zaporizhia Cossacks.
The main character is depicted in an embroidered jacket
and a typical Zaporizhian cape. The Cossack's calm and, at
the same time, piercing gaze is directed at the viewer. He is
telling us that the Cossack generation isn't dead!
The image of «Justice» echoes the idea of a young Ukraine.
The girl's figure emerges from the darkness and emits a
light that illuminates everything around and restores hope
for justice in people's hearts.
With her left hand, Themis holds scales with which she
weighs the deeds of those who appear before her judgment.
She leans on the sword with her right hand but does not
threaten it.
Valour
Oil on canvas, 60x80 cm
2023
Justice
Oil on canvas, 60x90 cm
2023
A symbol is drawn on the sword, which is often used in
Ukraine, Slovenia, and other Slavic nations. It means that
we are a single European family. The symbol is called «Full
rose» or eight-pointed star, and it is often depicted on icons
of the Virgin Mary.
PLEIN AIR COLLECTION
October Kharkiv
50x70 cm, oil on canvas
2022
Spirit of Rose
60x80 cm, oil on canvas
2021
Old sycamore tree
65x55 cm, oil on canvas
2021
I like to draw in nature. I am inspired by living natural forms, trees, and people. I believe that nature is the best teacher.
Alone with nature, the artist fully reveals his creative potential.
STILL LIFES COLLECTION
Still life with grapes, apricots,
and pear, 25x25 cm
Oil on canvas. 2021
Pomegranate #1, 30x30 cm
Oil on panel. 2021
Pomegranate #2, 30x30 cm
Oil on panel. 2021
Mediterranean siesta, 50x65 cm
Oil on canvas. 2021
Pears for dessert, 40x30 cm
Oil on panel. 2021
Grape, 30x24 cm
Oil on panel. 2021
Cherries are ripe, 30x24 cm
Oil on panel. 2021
PORTRAITS COLLECTION
Portrait of grandmother Mariia
30x40 cm
Oil on panel. 2021
Portrait of a girl in a straw hat
24x30 cm
Oil on panel. 2021
Copy of the painting by Ilya Repin,
«Portrait of Musorgsky»
30x40 cm
Oil on canvas. 2022
LITTLE MERMAIDS COLLECTION
Child of The Sea, 25x25 cm
Oil on canvas. 2018
Pearl of The Sea, 25x25 cm
Oil on canvas. 2019
Son of The Sea, 25x25 cm
Oil on canvas. 2019
Mother`s Lullaby, 25x25 cm
Oil on canvas. 2018
This collection is dedicated to little
mermaids.
The purpose of these paintings is
to show that every child has the
right to live safely and be happy.
Treasure of The Sea, 25x25 cm
Oil on canvas. 2019
Lotus Daughter, 25x25 cm
Oil on canvas. 2019
Dnipro Daughter, 25x25 cm
Oil on canvas. 2022
CONTACT ME
Olha Yefimova
Kharkiv, Ukraine
Email:
yefimovaart@gmail.com
Instagram:
@yefimova_art
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