Olya Krasavina was born in Moscow, Russia, and first fell in love with art in 7th-grade biology class—drawn to the delicate elegance of reptile skeletons and the quiet power of line and form.
After immigrating to the United States, she studied graphic design and moved to New York City to work in the fashion industry. Designing in the Empire State Building felt like a dream made real. But life had other dreams in store.
A move to Montreal—and a shift away from fashion—opened a new chapter. Immersed in a city of art and culture, Olya became a full-time painter, creating every day, finding her rhythm and voice.
Then motherhood arrived. The world changed. Her identity as an artist blurred beneath the weight of the pandemic and the quiet demands of caregiving. Now in Vancouver, Olya is painting her way back to herself—rediscovering the joy, the freedom, and the deep-rooted love for creativity that has followed her across cities, countries, and seasons of life.
VANCOUVER
2023 - present - Teacher at after school art program in various elementary schools
2023 - 2024 - Teaching drawing and watercolour painting at Kitsilano Community center
MONTREAL
2021 – 2023 – Taught drawing, watercolour and acrylic painting classes and camps to kids and adults
2017-2021 – Created and taught “Painting Montreal” workshops at the Marche Des Eclusiers, Old Port, Montreal, QC
2014-2017 – Instructor at PaintNite, Montreal, QC
2017 – March – Live Painting at the Montreal Science Center Foundation Fundraising dinner
2016 – July – September, “MAGNIFIQUE CON(E)STRUCTION” at Sofitel Hotel, Montreal, QC
2015 – December, Holiday Craft sale, St.Henri, Montreal, QC
2015 – November, “Square Affair”, Mclure Gallery, Montreal, QC
2015 – October 20, RAW MERGE, Trocadero Theater, Philadelphia, PA
2015 – August 13 – 30, Possible Dimensions exhibit, C.O.A. gallery, Montreal, QC
2015 – May 7th, EXPOSURE Raw Artists, Montreal, QC
2013 – Square Affair group show, McClure gallery, Montreal, QC
2011 – Unity Art Festival art fair, Calgary, AB
PHILADELPHIA
2010 – “Square Affair” group show, Fleisher museum, Philadelphia, PA
2007 – “Distortion Arts” Group Show, Philadelphia, PA
EDUCATION
Art Institute of Philadelphia (graphic design major) 1999-2002
Visual Arts Center, Montreal (watercolour, urban sketching, ink painting) 2012-2015
Oil painting (portrait), Moscow school of art, 2021
In the news
Olya’s interview on Breakfast TV Montreal with . We talked about my fascination with construction sites, orange cones and “Maintenance” exhibit curated by Studio Beluga and Faux Cadres Canal at Galerie C.O.A.
