AIXA OLIVERAS

“Rublev Colors are a mainstay in my palette for the high quality of their pigments, as well as the assurance that they will stand the test of time. Their dedication, knowledge and years of research is evident in every product they offer.”

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Aixa Oliveras is a contemporary symbolist painter working within the realm of classical realism. Originally from Puerto Rico, Aixa received her BFA in Painting from the School of Plastic Arts and Design of Puerto Rico (Magna Cum Laude). In 2017, she decided to make the leap and earn her MFA in Painting from Laguna College of Art and Design in Southern California. She has participated in several group exhibitions, including shows in 33 Contemporary Gallery in Chicago, IL and Q Art Salon in Santa Ana, CA. Drawing inspiration both from her Puerto Rican upbringing and the Symbolist art movement, her work is an exploration of rebirth and identity; the female figure, paired with pattern and color, is her subject matter.

Her work has been featured in competitions and publications such as ARC International Salon, Poets & Artists Magazine, Realism Today and American Art Collector. Aixa’s work is currently collected both in Puerto Rico and the United States. She is currently teaching at Laguna College of Art and Design, offering workshops, and developing her studio practice in Laguna Beach, CA.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I am a classically trained figurative artist exploring the rich psychology of the human figure through paint. I paint in order to process the events of my life. My work is a mirror of my internal emotional state: a reflection of the interior workings of my mind. The Symbolist art movement fascinates me for its exploration of the human psyche and sensual nature. I count it as a major influence in my work. The warmth of my Puerto Rican birthplace is also an important influence and is translated into my paintings through the use of vibrant color.

As a contemporary symbolist, I take my own personal experiences and transmute them into a symbolic language. It is a language of archetypes that transforms the personal into the universal. Taken together, my paintings are a study of what it means to let go of a previous identity in order to create a new one. It is my own personal narrative of what it means to be reborn. With each piece I create, I strive to give the viewer an emotionally resonant visual experience. Ultimately, my goal and philosophy as an artist is to explore the rich landscape of what it means to be human.

AIXA OLIVERAS ON RUBLEV COLOURS

Natural Pigments’ Rublev Colors are a mainstay in my palette for the high quality of their pigments, as well as the assurance that they will stand the test of time. Their dedication, knowledge and years of research is evident in every product they offer.

I started using Rublev Colors on the recommendation of one of my mentors years ago in Puerto Rico, and I haven’t stopped using them since. I love how each color offers its own distinct qualities—from the viscous and thread-like nature of their Lead White #1 to the slightly grainy texture of Verona Green Earth. My favorite pigment right now is Crystal White—a white pigment with lead crystals ground into the paint. I’ve used this color for skin tones and the luminosity that I achieve as a result is like nothing I’ve seen with any other white pigment. The skin tones seem to glow as a result of the lead crystal in the paint. In addition to the pigments, Oleogel is a favorite medium that I use regularly to oil in and create glazes. Also, I highly recommend attending their Best Practices Workshop, which provides an invaluable source of information—from the qualities of hand-ground paint to the best substrates to use for the longevity of your painting.