Art from reclaimed wood

Artist Olga Oreshyna was born and educated in Russia, but it was only after moving to Canada that he was able to realize his artistic dreams. Here he discovered wood and his passion for woodworking, with the belief and conviction that wood always preserves the living spirit of the tree. This is why the idea of making art from reclaimed wood gives her fulfillment, both through the artwork itself, but especially by giving new life to a piece of wood that has already been used by someone else.

How paintings are made

It all starts with an image the artist has in her mind. The wood is then cut, shaped and mounted in a clear position, so that slowly the image in the artist's mind begins to take shape. Once all the pieces of wood have been put in place, they are painted with successive coats of paint of different colors. Then, after drying, they are sanded, more or less highlighting each individual layer of color.

Olga Oreshyna says that this process of sanding away layers of paint seems to him very similar to our lives. We all have a life made up of overlapping layers that are rarely visible. Discovering the depth of these layers is what makes us interesting and makes art interesting.

The artist raves about wood saying it's an amazing material. It is hard, light and flexible at the same time. The wood can be carved, taking on different facets, edges and shadows, curved into wonderful roundness and colored to bring out its specific grain and pattern.

Much of the artist's inspiration starts with the very moment of finding the wood. Collecting pieces of wood for its natural beauty is the very beginning of the work. And the fact that it will come to life again, become art, inspires her and leads her to the final result.

Making art from reclaimed wood is the artist's way of making the environment more beautiful and healthy. She wants people to discover the warmth, energy and beauty of nature and the sun in each of her works. As for herself, the artist says she feels like discovering a hidden treasure every day.