Reluctant Self Portrait Painting

Kirby Olave is an emerging Australian visual artist, living and working from her studio in Palm Beach in Sydney’s Northern Beaches of New South Wales. Kirby predominantly works with oil paint on canvas and is driven to capture the beauty of the human body and face, its contours and the soul that possess it. Kirby is influenced by masters from the Renaissance, Rococo, romantic and surrealist movements. She infuses emotional expression and vivid colour palettes to create a unique artistic voice to form a sensitive and evocative exploration of her subjects. Growing up in an artistic family, Kirby developed a natural interest and passion for art and design and was encouraged from a young age to pursue a creative life for herself. After studying Fine Arts, Design and Art Education, Kirby found her passion in Aboriginal art and established her career working in galleries supporting the sale of other artists works. After years of experience in the industry, Kirby developed a hunger to explore her own creative expression through painting. In August of 2019, Kirby was accepted as an artist in residence at Chateau Orquevaux, France. Here she was able to connect with successful international artists and was encouraged to plan the pursuit of her own art career. From April of 2020 Kirby has been working to finalise her first body of work with intention to exhibit in Sydney and solidify her presence as an artist.