Olivia Patricia O’Neal
Olivia-Patricia O’Neal straightforwardly shares her observations on canvas, but just like the first black-and-white films, her paintings don’t seem still. They speak and start a simple conversation about life with you.
Olivia-Patricia’s images portray everyday situations or evoke powerful mythology. These paintings exist in other dimensions—half in reflection, in the memories of the old days, and the other half in the powerful family dynamics. In every moment and figure, a wise old soul can share its knowledge and revelation, letting its audience explore their fantasies and encouraging them to process life’s happenings.
These paintings are not mirrors but rather conversation pieces at a party, directing the chatter and small talk into dialogues about the true nature of human beings. They encourage connection, drawing you in with their raw authenticity, where the lines between observation and emotion blur. The work doesn’t shy away from life’s complexities; instead, it gently invites viewers to engage, ask questions, and consider what art reveals about themselves. Doing so creates a subtle but powerful impact on how we perceive and relate to the world around us.
Olivia-Patricia’s work is rooted in the human experience and never stops shifting and rediscovering new voices. Each piece she creates is like an open-ended conversation, where the viewer is invited to participate in making sense of the world through what they see.
There’s a vulnerability in her subjects, a quiet energy that feels close but distant enough to leave room for time and reflection. The viewer gets a personal tour of the mysteries of everyday life and routines.
Olivia-Patricia’s work shares the intelligence and emotional power expressed in the drawings of Kathe Kollwitz. One can see the earnestness and interpersonal connection both artists convey and produce with their unique way of observing human figures—figures inspired by the roughness of stone and the softness of a carefully placed brushstroke.
Olivia-Patricia O’Neal, originally from Tennessee and raised in Nashville, earned her Master’s degree from the New York Academy of Art. She travelled to Italy, where she deepened her expertise in sculpture at the Cooperativa in Pietrasanta. Over the course of her career, Olivia-Patricia has exhibited her work in 14 solo shows and 27 group exhibitions, with her pieces represented in international galleries. She has worked in studios in the United States, France, and Mexico. A selection of her work is housed at Château St. Philippe, where she maintains a studio for part of the year.
Olivia Patricia O’Neal is the Gold Artist of the ArtAscent Figures call for artists. To see the full body of work and profile, get a copy of the 2025 ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Figures issue.
