Olga Walmisley-Santiago, Artists in Action Gallery

Artist Biography:

Olga V. Walmisley-Santiago was born in London, England, and resides in Independence, where she creates colorful impressionistic acrylic and watercolor paintings that reflect her love of nature, and the influences of her time in the UK, Spain, Mexico, and the US. Her colorful style melds influences from her study of medieval literature and its illuminated manuscripts, the world of Magic Realism of Latin American writers and artists, and her love of Impressionist art.

Olga has an Art “O” Level from London, where she learned about many techniques and mediums, and especially enjoyed still life drawing and watercolor painting. She took art classes at the Southgate Technical College in North London, where the main focus was the creation of 3D art.

As an undergraduate at the University of London, Olga was the student magazine illustrator. After graduating with a double major in English and Spanish, Olga pursued a Masters degree in Spanish at Miami University and also took art classes there. She was introduced to larger than life drawing, figurative drawing, and acrylic painting, which is now one of her favorite mediums.

Soon after earning a PhD from the University of Kentucky, she and her husband moved to Oregon along with their first child. Olga immersed herself once more in her art during Covid, thanks to having so much more time available, and the realization that the perfect time to do the thing you love is now.

Her work has been exhibited at:
Chemeketa Community College Employee Show
Currents Gallery
McMinville’s First Baptist Church Peace Exhibit
Keizer Art Association (won People’s Choice award in 2022 and 2023)
Elsinore Gallery Something Red Show
Poster for the Monmouth has Pride event won first place in 2022
Watercolor, Vineyard at Dawn, was selected for the label of Chemeketa Cellar’s 2023 Pinot Noir
Has presented her artwork at the KAA, and hosts “art parties.”
Recent Comissions
Iris (watercolor)
Cat portrait (acrylic)

Artist Statement:

One of my first memories is of making a watercolor painting of a shipwreck at my little desk in my pink bedroom with the wine carpet and gold feather eiderdown –muddy lavender sea, and lots of little dead bodies. Now my subject matter is more uplifting. According to my brother, I still mostly use the same colors today as I did as a child: lots of blues and yellows. I think it’s because I’ve always been drawn to water-rivers and the sea, and sunny blue skies. My family loved spending time outdoors – in London’s lush parks, and at the beaches and mountain forests of Spain, when we visited family. As a teenager, I would visit London’s museums with my best friend, Pepsi and cheese puffs in hand. Those paintings, sumptuous clothes and jewels, dinosaur skeletons and mummies left a lasting impression on me. I studied Medieval literature, poring over the colorful illuminations with their minute details. My art is also inspired by the vibrant playful work of David Hockney, the psychedelic colors of Erin Hansen, and the Magic Realism of Latin American writers and painters.

For my colorful detailed floral paintings, and impressionistic landscapes , I utilize acrylics on canvas or board, with layers, impasto and thinning and thickening mediums . Sometimes I use the dried paint on my palette to create a collage effect, or touches of gold or silver paint. My watercolors are full of saturated color and often have smatterings of inks, metallic paint, and gouache. I often combine old 1960’s and 70’s watercolor paints with ones from today, as some of the intense colors aren’t made any more.

I see life as a constant exploration and adventure, and try to recapture the essence of a fleeting moment of beauty in my art. I create a world of “Magic Realism” with dream-like colors and uplifting tones. I celebrate the beauty of Nature, and Oregon in particular, with art designed to to evoke the same sense of joy and wonder that I feel in the beauty that surrounds us.