We recently had the chance to connect with Olivia Chapman and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Olivia, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I feel that lately I am being called to create from a place of joy. I worry a lot and try to check all the boxes to make sure I can succeed, when really it’s just feeding my anxiety. I’m moving forward prioritizing what I care about, and letting go of things that don’t matter as much – the social media, the consistency of my ‘brand,’ the presentation of having it all together. I want my art to come from my passion, not perfection. I want to create from my heart yet still make it available to others if they connect with it too.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an artist working in traditional mediums from pencil, to oil paint, to mixed media, to back to pencil again! I love to render portraits, especially surrounded by other elements that tell a story about the character, like a movie poster or fan art. A recent development in my art has been leaning into collage-like compositions that create a sort of montage for the subject. I’m deeply inspired by fantasy, gothic, and religious themes.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that served its purpose is striving for who I think I SHOULD be. I feel like I’m reaching a point where I can be content and comfortable with where I’m at, trusting God to guide my life. Whatever comes, I know that He is with me. In my art practice, it looks like letting go of what I think people want from me, or how I can make more sales from my art. I want to be truer to myself in my making, and that can change styles and look different throughout time, because as humans we are always growing and changing.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Oh yes! In the last year I’ve seriously considered shutting it all down. I felt like I couldn’t keep up with what I needed to do for my business – social media, website maintenance, even when I sat down to create I would constantly get artist block, overthinking the meaning behind everything I created.
Now I feel like I’m reaching a place where it doesn’t have to be all or nothing; it doesn’t have to be anxiety or giving up. There’s definitely a middle place that I am trying to find and just enjoy creating. Again it’s another area that I’m learning to trust God.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
I believe that without Jesus, you’re lost. Too often I try to make things happen for myself or worry about how things will be perceived, when He told us many times not to fear. Not enough people truly understand his power and his guidance, and it’s a truth I am still chasing more and more, and I want my art practice to honor Him. God is the most creative! He created us to create!
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope that people remember my persistence. I may not have an epic story to tell, but there have been plenty of highs and lows, in my art practice and my personal life. But I hope that others remember the faith that I cling to – I know it is true even if I fall, I mess up, or don’t speak about it enough. And I hope people think of the way that I held on to that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.oliviachapmanart.com
- Instagram: oliviachapmanart
- Facebook: oliviachapmanart
