Oleg Tsank
Ukrainian-American Artist’s Vibrant Works
Explore the Beauty of the World
by Daria Maksymenko
Oleg Tsank
Ukrainian-American Artist’s Vibrant Works
Explore the Beauty of the World
by Daria Maksymenko
Oleg Tsank is a contemporary artist currently based in San Diego, CA. He is known for his vibrant paintings that hover between the literal and nonrepresentational. His paintings are in private collections both domestically and internationally.
Born in 1983 in the small city of Kamianske on the Dnipro River in Ukraine, Oleg, and his family, left for the US when he was twelve. His memories of Ukraine, though fragmented, are deeply ingrained in his art. “I remember bits and pieces because I left when I was young. The scenery was stunning – it stands out in my memory, especially the picturesque Dnipro river banks and the bright colors of forests and city trees in the fall. It influenced my art, even if subconsciously”, Oleg reminisces.
Oleg Tsank’s heritage is not just a part of his artistic journey, it’s a unique blend of influences that makes his work stand out. From early childhood, he immersed himself in literature and was introduced to the art of classical artists in middle school. He deeply admired many Jewish artists, like Marc Chagall and Chaim Soutine. “20th-century Jewish artists pretty much influence me. They may not have been dedicated strictly to painting Jewish motifs, but they left their mark on the modern art world. In those days, many famous artists were Jewish refugees. I admire many artists, but these are the artists I feel I am close to mostly because my background is somewhat similar. After all, geographically, we have come from neighboring countries,” Oleg explains.
Oleg Tsank created his unique style inspired by Expressionists. His paintings are full of colors and emphasize the energy and emotions that arise from contemplating the world around us. Oleg’s style is a balance between the literal and nonrepresentational, characterized by [specific characteristics of his style]. He works with various media to convey this reality, including oils, acrylics, pen and ink, oil pastels, graphite, and charcoal. “It takes years of experimentation to find the right balance. I prefer not to follow the traditional realistic school of painting because I thought that the impressionist movement would better suit the times that we live in. There is an idea of capturing some buzz in the world because everything is fast, changing, disappearing, and people are changing. Places you used to know also disappear; even if my art is not photographic, I want to create a space that captures the idea of permanency” (Oleg Tsank).
Oleg finds inspiration in color. “The interplay of colors is fascinating because each color looks different when placed next to another. It’s an exploration of color interplay, which I love,” he says.
Oleg works in several genres, including portraiture, landscapes, and still life. His work resonates with people around the world. “I like portraits better, but I prefer people to sit for the painting, and not many people like to do that. If working from the photo, it lacks personality. If you work from life, you get more character from life as opposed to photography. The photo is still, and everything is flat; all the colors are flat. The camera treats everything the same. The human eye can capture more of the world around you. If you work from life, you see how things change right before your eyes, especially from the landscape. I prefer portraits, but the landscapes are on the same level. There is always a story that you can add to the landscape, and it is always interesting. You can pick out certain things when you paint. It becomes a record of the changes and certain uncertainties that can provoke questions from the viewer.”
Oleg will capture our imagination and make us look at the world around us slightly differently, to see life with color and discover the true beauty of the surrounding universe. “I want viewers to be moved somehow, even if they leave with more questions than answers. I want them to ask questions, which means that my art engages with them, and the viewers are engaged with whatever is on the canvas or the artwork.”
In his future works, Oleg aims to explore new mediums, such as watercolor. “I didn’t make enough works with watercolor, so it’s to explore. It requires planning and layering, which goes somewhat against how I usually paint,” he admits.
Oleg is working on a series of landscapes he plans to display together. These pieces will complete an extensive collection of landscapes inspired by the beauty of the green suburban area of San Diego and resonate with his childhood memories of the Ukrainian countryside. After finishing the landscape series, Oleg plans to work on a new series of European and American cityscapes.
Art connoisseurs, collectors, and fans of Oleg’s art can follow the media to see more of his captivating artworks and ensure they take advantage of his future exhibitions.
Website: https://olegtsankfineart.com
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