Olivers art
Portfolio
Emblem of Bravery
Medium: Fine fissured tile & acrylic paint
Size: 23 x 47.5 inches
Year: 2025
Description: I was inspired to create this piece by the early depictions of tigers in Chinese culture.
The Mandarin, 勇敢 (yǒnggǎn) translates to "Bravery." I chose this, along with the large canvas, to symbolize the unwavering confidence of a tiger, as well as a personal message to myself. Creating this piece helped strengthen my knowledge of movement and balance in art.
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Click the arrows for more pictures, click the image to see the full picture
Ruffled Dress
Materials: Foam, acrylic paint, tulle & satin
Size: 32 x 33 inches
Year: 2025
Description: I wanted to challenge my abilities with this piece, tasking myself with building a very cartoony dress while keeping it simple. I was inspired by the ruffs worn on clowns' necks and incorporated them into a dress. It was exceptionally difficult handling this piece because of its large size, but I was very proud of it in the end. It's wearable and lightweight, and it also allowed me to learn a little bit more about form in a 3D space.
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Desk Still life
Medium: Paper & charcoal
Size: 8.5 x 11 inches
Year: 2025
Description: An observational drawing of a lava lamp and a box, completed by observing the objects on the corner of my desk. I focused on capturing light, shadow, and reflective surfaces for this piece. This piece also helped me strengthen my foundational drawing skills and improve my understanding of form and value.
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Star Casting
Medium: Linoleum & ink
Size: 11 x 9 inches
Year: 2025
Description: Originally, I intended to recreate Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam in linoleum, but I pivoted to make the large, radiating star. This piece is meant to symbolize hope for humanity. I wanted to go heavy on the shading to insinuate the anatomy and have a larger contrast.
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Waves
Medium: Linoleum & ink
Size: 11 x 9 inches
Year: 2025
Description: This was my first ever linoleum cut. I have always liked repeated lines and rows that create a flowing image, and wanted to apply that to this piece. I brushed up on my abilities to incorporated perspective and movement into a still image.
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Kehinde Wiley Typography
Medium: Paper & graphite
Size: 6 x 9 inches
Year: 2024
Description: This piece was selected for exhibition at The High Point Art Gallery (TAG). Inspired by Kehinde Wiley’s use of pattern and density, I created a typography portrait from repeated handwritten words instead of traditional shading. This piece helped me learn how to create value and contrast.
Crimson Sword
Materials: Foam board, bandage wrap & acrylic paint
Size: 16.5 x 49 inches
Year: 2024
Description: This is the first handheld prop I have ever made. It's a stylized, oversized sword prop I created to look like it's been through battle. I gave it a symbolic, almost ceremonial feel. I wrapped in bandage to create a rugged look. I had the overall design blend cartoon-y elements with almost medieval type weaponry.
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Click the arrows for more pictures, click the image to see the full picture
Snake Zentangle
Medium: Paper & ink
Size: 17 x 11 inches
Year: 2024
Description: As shown in some of my other pieces, I enjoy making repetitive images. I wanted to play on the scales of a snake and turn them into different, unnatural patterns. Symbolism for how everyone and everything is unique in their own way.
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Comic Scene
Medium: Paper & graphite
Size: 11 x 8.5 inches
Year: 2025
Description: I was assigned to write a sentence in Spanish and draw a scene for it. I wanted to go all out and try drawing human faces the best I could. I focused on facial proportions and how they can express emotion. Though light, I also wanted to focus on how shadows lie on faces and anatomy as well.
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TV Headgear
Materials: Foam board, mirror tiles, cardboard & acrylic paint
Size: 10 x 9 x 12.5 inches
Year: 2024
Description: This is a headpiece I made that allowed for a screen (i.e, an iPad) to slide into the opening and display whatever I wanted. Along with that, I built a periscope for me to be able to see above the screen. I enjoy conjuring up creative designs and bringing them to life.