The work from Olga McNamara is radiant and celebrates the beauty of life through vibrant light, shadow, and color. She was born in Uzbekistan and draws from her cultural heritage and love for natural beauty in her art. Her style blends abstract expressionism with intuitive creativity and deep emotional resonance. Olga McNamara’s art is inspired by life’s details, often found in sunlit landscapes or her studio surroundings. Her subject matter is personal yet layered with emotions that resonate universally. Each piece reflects a journey of discovery and emotional release, captured in compelling artistry. In this interview, Olga McNamara shares her inspirations, creative process, and what drives her artistic vision.
Describe a typical working day:
My typical day as an artist starts with an impatient desire to see the painting I worked on yesterday. Of course, I’m not always happy with what I see. My studio is full of palettes of paint and I add to them, turn away, come back. The real work starts in the afternoon, I close all the windows and doors, turn on the lights, put on my favorite music, and start creating. Sometimes I leave unfinished works when a blank canvas calls me, I love these moments when I sit in front of a blank canvas and suddenly a new story begins. It’s very strange, but I lose track of time and often work until late.
Do you have a favorite space for creating your artworks?
My favorite space for painting is my studio. For me, this is a space of creativity, inspiration, and self-expression. Here I feel comfortable and free, becoming my true self. Brushes of all shapes and sizes, palettes with paints, art supplies are scattered everywhere. There are many objects that I love to look at, seeking inspiration. Vases with flowers, figurines, rolls of ribbon, canvases primed with vibrant strokes… At first glance, it may seem chaotic, but for me, each item has its place, surrounded by objects that perfectly match in texture and color. The studio is filled with natural light, but at any moment, I can close blinds and turn on lights, creating the perfect environment for work and making it easier to find the right combinations of colors and lines. Along the walls hang my own works and on the shelves, there are books about artists whose paintings and biographies inspire me. While working, I often listen to music that resonates with my mood. It helps me get in the right mindset and transfer my feelings onto the canvas. I embrace the unpredictability of abstract expressionism and simply allow my paintings to develop organically, as it should be. Furthermore, I often start my works with loose and gestural sketches, allowing my ideas to flow freely onto the canvas. Then, I layer paint to convey my emotions and ideas. My goal is to create depth and movement in my works, which I achieve through the combination of layers, textures, and the use of contrasting colors. I believe in art’s ability to evoke emotions and provoke contemplation. I strive to create artworks that resonate with viewers on a deep and personal level. It is here, in my studio, that I bring my artistic vision to life, creating vibrant and emotional paintings that, I hope, invite viewers to explore their own emotions and interpretations.
Describe your style of art in a sentence:
At first glance, it may seem chaotic, but for me, each item has its place, surrounded by objects that perfectly match in texture and color.
Who and what inspired you to be an artist?
I was born and raised in sunlit Uzbekistan, a fascinating country rich with cultural vibrancy and a bright, passionate soul. My artistic journey started at a young age, inspired by the natural world and its endless array of colors and forms. Growing up, I was continuously enraptured by my environment; its splendid beauty seemed to echo within me, demanding to be expressed on canvas. If not done so, it begins to overwhelm me. My passion for painting seeped into all aspects of my life. All of my university lecture notes were filled with sketches—candid illustrations of our shared student life—to the point where they had all been taken as souvenirs by my university friends. This constant desire to chronicle my surroundings and experiences laid the foundation of my artistic evolution.
Years later, fate brought me to Cyprus. Under the tutelage of the brilliant artist Miho Ebanoidze, my artistic voice began to find its distinct rhythm. Working “en plein air,” I reveled in the act of capturing the vibrant energy of life under the Mediterranean sun, exploring the intricate interplay of light and shadow, and finding beauty in everyday scenes. Over several years, I have come a long way: my first group and solo exhibitions, my first personal online store, my first local and global sales. Each new milestone was an exhilarating blend of trepidation and anticipation. It was a time of self-discovery and introspection as I explored various styles, weathered creative setbacks, and celebrated fortunate artistic revelations. It was during this period that I truly understood the central role art has played in my life—it is my essence, my passion, my language, and the pathway to my personal and professional growth.
My artistic journey has been shaped by the influences of various artists and movements that have resonated with me at different stages. During my period of painting landscapes and taverns, the freshness and vibrancy of French Impressionism was my guiding light. The masters of this movement, with their unique ability to evoke the rustling of leaves in the wind and the fragrance of fields, inspired me to imbue my own art with a similar sensory richness. As my style evolved, however, so did my sources of inspiration. My recent turn towards abstract expressionism has been deeply influenced by the works of Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Joan Mitchell. I am enchanted by the mesmerizing interplay of form, color, and emotion in their art. The magic they weave on canvas, liberating expression from the constraints of form, resonates with my current approach to painting.
Name three inspirations for your work right now:
It’s so important for me that in the world of abstract art, creativity knows no boundaries! Here are three of my powerful inspirations:
- Nature’s chaos and perfection: From the wild patterns of a forest to the rhythmic waves of the ocean, clouds, and footprints on the sand. Nature serves as a limitless canvas.
- Emotions: The raw spectrum of my feelings translates beautifully into colors and shapes, inviting viewers to interpret their own stories. It could be laughter or anger, happiness, anticipation of a meeting, anything.
- Music: The beats, melodies, and harmonies can resonate within, guiding brush strokes and color choices in an unseen dance of expression.
Is there a particular color palette that you prefer to work with, and what inspires your choice?
In recent weeks, I’ve been working with dark blue tones, adding splashes of orange, gold, and emerald. This summer, I spent my days in Cyprus, starting each morning at a wild, untouched beach. I dived into the Mediterranean, enjoying its coolness and rich, vibrant colors. My work explores the balance of opposites, blending cool blues and warm oranges in harmonious contrast.
Tell an interesting story behind a piece you’ve created…
There was one story. My husband loves to look at my paintings and find images there that I didn’t even think about in the process of creation. Once he found a guinea pig in the painting “Flowers in a White Vase.” Now I see it always; it’s like it’s alive!
… and one interesting piece you own. Why did you buy it?
I often go to exhibitions. Once I was looking at the paintings, we were exchanging impressions, and suddenly I felt a gaze on me. It was a portrait of a woman. She looked at me with absolutely the gaze of my mother, and when I moved, she followed me with her gaze. This portrait still hangs in my kitchen, always on the lookout to see if everything is okay.
We imagine that inspiration could strike at anytime. How do you separate work from free time?
For me, there is no free time or work time. I enjoy myself painting and I think of painting most of the time. I’m lucky to do what I always wanted to.
Singulart Insight
Olga McNamara’s ideas reflect a unique perspective where the artistry extends beyond the actual product. Her creativity stems from diverse inspirations—nature, abstract emotion, and music—capturing raw feelings directly on canvas. She channels these emotions into abstract works that resonate deeply with viewers. Her colorful studio and dedication to expression highlight her unique artistic commitment. Olga invites viewers to interpret her images through their own perspectives and emotions. For her, life and art are inseparable. To Olga, being alive is a story, a painting, a letter, and a connection.
