Artist Spotlight of the Month: "Olga Dorenko"

Welcome to Dot Editions “Artist Spotlight” series, where we’ll be interviewing one artist a month and sharing a little about them with you. The team of artists at DOT Editions have collaborated to bring you a monthly celebration highlighting local artists we’ve had the pleasure of working with through the studio. By these artists sharing a bit about themselves we hope to inspire the artist community to keep pursuing their dreams.

Artist: Olga Dorenko

Medium: Oil on canvas, watercolor, gouache, ink and steamed tea

Experience: 50 years

1. Q: Where are you from?

A: Uzbekistan in the former Soviet Union

2. Q: How did you end up in Asheville,NC?

A: I was introduced to Asheville by a friend and the landscape reminded me of back home so I moved to North Carolina in 1998 and have been here since.

3. Q: How many cities have you lived in and how hard or easy was it to get into the local artist community?

A: I’ve lived in 7 cities. I don’t really like to go out, I love my alone time. I’ve gotten into the local artist community by being an active artist in Asheville for the past 20 years and having a studio in the River Arts District. Since I don’t go out having a studio in the Arts District where there is a lot of foot traffic, it allows me to meet all types of artists and clients year round.

4. Q: What do you like to listen to when creating? Do you have any suggestions/playlists to share with us?

A: I listen to audio books, classical music one of my favorites is Chopin and I also really like jazz.

5. Q: Do you have any kind of routines that help get your creative juices going and ready to create? Please share.

A: For inspiration I like to go on a drive and let the landscapes inspire me. Once I see an idea I’ll sketch it out and write down the colors I want to use in my painting.

6. Q: What’s your best advice on how to not procrastinate and get rid of creative blocks ?

A: I’m always sure about what I want to do and how to do it. I suggest you push yourself to get into the studio and

Just Do It!

7. Q: What does your creative space currently look like? Show us a photo! Tell us what you're working on, if you’d like to share.

A: I have 2 studios one in the Warehouse Studios building in the River Arts District and the other in my home. Currently I am working on a big painting,