Today we’d like to introduce you to Aixa Oliveras.
Hi Aixa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hello! I’m Aixa Oliveras, a Puerto Rican figurative artist living in Cutler Bay. My passion for art began when I was in my early teens. At the time, I thought I was going to be a pediatrician. Looking back, I see now that it was because I held a fascination with the human figure.
I began to copy comic book panels for fun, and that evolved to drawing from photos of my family and excelling at art projects at school. So you could say that art found me.
It was my mother who confirmed it by telling me, “you’re an artist.” I credit her for giving me that awareness of myself, of my purpose in life, which is to be an artist, and to share my creations with the world. Bringing joy and that indescribable feeling of recognition that you feel when you see a work of art that takes your breath away. That feeling of emotional resonance. That’s what I love to create in people’s lives.
I studied art in Puerto Rico, at the School of Plastic Arts and Design and at Atelier San Juan. It was at the atelier that I received a foundational education in how to draw and paint the figure. After getting my degree, I lived in Puerto Rico for a few years, working part-time while I built my art practice.
But at a certain point I felt like I hit a wall both personally and artistically. So I decided to pursue my Master’s degree in Painting at Laguna College of Art and Design in Laguna Beach, CA. My time at LCAD and California in general was transformational. It cracked me open artistically, and truly set me on the path to become the artist that I am today.
Because of the pandemic, I decided to move back to Miami to be with my family. This is where I’ve set up shop ever since. I’m now teaching as an adjunct professor at Miami Dade College-Kendall campus, while also developing my studio practice.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Well, it has definitely not been a smooth road, haha. For one thing, the pandemic really threw a wrench into things. I had no family in California, all my friends were moving away, and I lost one of the two jobs I was working at. I didn’t have a lot of stability at my second job, so this added to everything else made my decision. I sold my car, shipped all my stuff, and went to live with my family in Miami while the pandemic storm subsided.
It was definitely a tough transition. I was unemployed for two years, frantically searching for a job. This put a lot of stress on me, which in turn affected my studio practice. It’s really hard to be creative when you’re in survival mode. But thankfully, I did find a job at MDC, which I’m very grateful for.
I still feel that, like a lot of people, I’m recovering from the financial and mental health effects of the pandemic. But thankfully, I have my family and close friends who have been very supportive. I’ve also received coaching and therapy, which has helped tremendously. I’m a big advocate for coaching and therapy for this reason. All of these experiences have taught me that we don’t have to go through things alone, and that it’s ok to ask for support.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m happy to share about my work! I specialize in creating figurative oil paintings with symbolic narratives of death, rebirth and transformation. My current work focuses on the divine feminine – the sensuality and power inherent in the feminine form. Being from a Caribbean island has influenced my color palette. Instead of neutral grays and beige, I use jewel tones and saturated color in my paintings.
I’m known for using gold leaf in my work as well. Creating pieces that are sensual and full of expressive emotion. I take from my own personal experiences – my joy, my pain – and transmute it into art.
I’m really proud of where my work is at today. Especially in my more recent work, it feels like I’ve reached this pinnacle when it comes to fully expressing my story through art. I’m no longer afraid to paint what I want to paint. When I was younger, I felt that I had to conform to these ideals of painting. This was all happening subconsciously. As a result, my paintings ended up feeling ‘safe.’
Now, I feel like I’ve broken through that barrier, and I paint what brings me joy. No matter what other people may think of it, or wether it’s ‘acceptable’ or not. I feel like this has made my work much more vibrant, and I’m proud that I’ve taken the creative risks to break free from that.
I feel that as an artist, the fact that I see the world in a particular way, with my own perspective, and express that into paint is what sets me apart. There’s only one of me in this world, creating the work that I create. That simple yet powerful fact is what makes me stand out – because no one else sees the world, and puts it on canvas, the way I do.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is that we all give ourselves the opportunity to create. To see ourselves as artists, as creators of our own lives. So many people go about their lives feeling like they have no power to change things. Like they’re victims of their own circumstances. That they can’t create change. I feel that through my own work, I show people what artists are capable of, and in turn what they’re also capable of.
Art and creativity is part of being human. We all have that spark of creativity in us. It’s all about nurturing it and letting it grow. Even if you don’t see yourself as an artist, in some shape, way or form, you are. When you write a text message. When you cook a meal. When you love another person. Those are all ways that we express ourselves. And that in itself is an art form. It’s important that people see this in themselves. Because in a world that can be so harsh, this is how we can heal ourselves and each other – creating the beauty we want to see in the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aixaoliveras.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aixa_oliveras/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aixaoliverasfineart
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@aixaoliveras
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@aixaoliveras
Image Credits
First image credit (Resilience): Eric Stoner
All other images were taken by the artist: Aixa Oliveras
