Meet Chris Oleary

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chris Oleary. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Chris, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

At 53, My confidence is something I will continuously still work on. I look back on who I was as a child and young adult and do my best to figure out what my thought process was. The things I had to do to stay true to me as well as keep myself safe. I was a child in the 70s and teen in the 80s and was force fed this idea that being a feminine male was wrong and should be condemned. I felt it everywhere, but at first when I was a young child of 7 or 8 I learned defiance. I wanted to play with toys lke any other normal child but I wanted dolls. Being the youngest child of 7, my sisters had dolls but for me it was forbidden. I used my creative mind to help with self preservation. I made little makeshift dolls out of broken shoelaces. I called them The string people and they became my favorite toys. I made a knot for the face half way down the lace and unraveled the loose strands down to the knot for the hair. They were gymnasts, dancers and performers! These shoelace dolls were everything I wanted to be and I gave them the permission to do so because I was not allowed.

As I grew older see now that I used creativity as a tool to give me confidence. I began a series of drawings and paintings of female looking faces and characters that I saw as powerful and confident. Each a facet of a personality that could confront and still be authentic which is something I could not. Self portraits to remind me that Yes Chris You Can.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I have been cultivating and developing this painting style for over 30 years now. I find the process of creating art to be more problem solving rather than recreational enjoyment. It can actually be more frustrating rather than relaxing. It kind of stems from getting to know who the painted piece is as we introduce ourselves through the process. It sounds so pretentious lol, but my initial idea of the finished piece changes and morphs along the way as I work on her. I then come up with a name which is so much fun for me as if I’m giving life to this person. They become real to me. friends in a way who can speak and motivate and inspire me without ever saying a word. None of them are fully finished which i believe is where the process of problem solving comes into play. I paint to solve a puzzle. something unresolved. Each piece I feel like a get closer to revealing the answer but hope I never fully do.

Years ago I worked with Hot topic for a shirt line and hope to collaborate again with other brands. my dream is to give my pieces exposure to those who would need them. To be what gives people the power to think…”Yes I can!”

My current project is working on collaborating with manufacturer to create toy figurines of my girls.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Listen to what you enjoy and dont lose it. If you want to try something…TRY IT! People and sometimes your self…STAND IN YOUR WAY. dont allow it.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I would love to collaborate and definitely open to ideas. Currently I am seeking toy manufacturers because I would love to have each as a collectible item. I follow a few manufacturers and designers on Instagram and fell in love with the possibility of making them 3 dimensional images.

Other ideas have been with beauty brands, Hot Topic, Spencers Gifts, Urban Outfitters, Just anyone that could use my work to benefit their brand as well as be a positive influence on their fan base. I really would like to give these girls a little legacy for being so important for me and my development. Please reach out through Instagram @Chrisolearyart

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sites.google.com/view/chrisolearyart/home
• Instagram: Chrisolearyart
• Other: Tiktok: @Chrisolearyart

Image Credits

All images taken by me.