Olga Wahnich Serfaty
“My artistic style is photo realism.”
I'm an artist from Venezuela. I have been living in Australia for 20 years. I specialise in drawing/painting pet portraits as I love celebrating the special bond between pets and their owners.
To enquire with Olga @ Olways Pets for your very own custom painted ArtBag, click the link below and fill in our online form.
Where did you study art or how did you train?:
I'm largely self-taught as an artist, though I had the privilege of receiving guidance from a significant figure in the Venezuelan art scene, Samuel Baroni. Baroni's mentorship prioritised the expression of emotions, thoughts, and the essence of one's soul in artwork over technical mastery.
Who are your biggest artistic influences?:
I have a deep admiration for the artwork of John Banovich, whose profound connection with nature resonates through his paintings. I share his passion for animals and the beauty of the wilderness. I believe painting an animal goes beyond technical skills, and about tapping into a deep admiration for the animal kingdom.
How would you describe your artistic style?:
My artistic style is photo realism. I try to capture every detail to make the portrait look real but at the same time, I want viewers to know they're looking at a drawing/painting, not a photo. So, while I focus on realism, I also add my own artistic touch to remind people they're seeing a work of art.
What themes or subjects do you most frequently explore in your art work?:
There's something truly magical about the bond we share with our animal companions and the emotions they evoke within us. It's this unique and pure connection that fuels my inspiration.
Have you won any awards or participated in any exhibitions?:
Over the past 15 years I've dedicated myself to pet portraiture. To be honest I haven't thought of entering a competition, but perhaps I should consider it if an opportunity arises.
Do you have a memorable story or experience related to your art?:
Every project I work on has its own story, but there's something especially meaningful about creating portraits of pets who have passed away. In these moments, my goal goes beyond just making a likeness. I want the portrait to bring comfort and healing to grieving hearts. It's a way to honour the love they shared, even after the pets are gone.
Tell us about your first painted ArtBag. What was the inspiration behind this piece. What did you most and least enjoy about working on it?:
It was incredibly exciting! Painting on leather was a new experience for me and I embraced it with enthusiasm. I was pleasantly surprised by how smoothly it went, and I enjoyed every second of the process.
Even though achieving realism was a bit trickier, Ted's portrait has this cool pop art vibe that makes it really interesting. I loved working on it from beginning to end!
As each pet portrait is very personal to the individual, Olga kindly painted one of my own personal clutches as a trial and it will now be a treasured piece in my very own collection. So in this instance the bag is not for sale, but simply as example of Olga’s incredible talent! I am so happy with the beautiful painting of my gorgeous dog Ted.
