Issue 8 Artist Spotlight | Olga Nenazhivina

C+B: Tell us about yourself, Olga!

ON: Art is my work, and it’s also what I prefer to do in my free time. The ocean inspires me; it gives me strength and energy.

C+B: How do you define the word "art?"

ON: To me, art is a transformative force. It has the power to make people better, opening up new dimensions within them and revealing facets of their personality they might not have known were there. Art connects us to something deeper, inspiring self-discovery in ways few other things can.

C+B: Describe a time when you experienced a creative breakthrough, a change in process, or a realization about your work.

ON: When you start drawing at three years old and keep going without stopping, you have a significant momentum built over decades. A multitude of forms and ideas constantly buzz in your head; it’s like a big wave coming at you, and you’re always riding its crest.

Find and support Olga here:

IG: @olganenazhivina
Website: nenazhivina.com

(Unity, ©Olga Nenazhivina)

My ideal creative workspace: It’s an art studio built from solid wood on the shore of a warm ocean.

If I could have coffee with any creator (past or present) it would be: That would be two artists. My father, sculptor Valery Nenazhivin, and my sister Irina. My father taught me two main things: to be fearless and to work every day. My sister Irina was an exceptional painter and had a unique way of seeing color.

My creative legacy: Today, a woman bought my painting as a gift for a child’s first birthday. She said she wanted it to be the first piece in his art collection. By 2075, that person will be 52 years old. I imagine he’ll have a significant collection of art by then and will remember which painting started it all. This feels deeply human and meaningful.