Olis Paintings

Olis Paintings

Oli – From Hotel Clerk to Painter: A Journey Between Bipolarity and Creativity
As a child, Oli dreams of a world of colors and shapes. A life defined by the freedom of creative expression, where he can freely engage with the art of painting. But life, as it often plays out, has other plans for him.

Instead of picking up a paintbrush, Oli follows the conventional paths laid out by his surroundings – yet the urge for art remains ever-present. Oli’s life story is not only one of sacrifice but also of transformation. It is a story about the courage to change one’s life and embark on a search for what truly fulfills.

Childhood: The First Encounter with Art

From a young age, Oli has a deep connection to art. Colors and shapes are his first companions, constantly fascinating him throughout his childhood. It is a time of play and discovery, a time in which he perceives the world in his own, creative way. These early impressions shape him profoundly and leave him with a lasting desire to engage more deeply with the world of art.

But like many children driven by a dream, Oli must quickly face reality. The world outside his creative universe is not always ready to accept or nurture this passion. Instead, the focus is placed on practical life decisions, and Oli eventually finds himself headed in a completely different direction – one that takes him further away from art than he could ever have imagined.

Adolescence: The Path to Fashion Design

In his teenage years, Oli’s interest takes a decisive turn: The fascinating world of fashion captivates him and ignites a passion for clothing design. For him, fashion is much more than just external style – it represents a powerful means of transforming and reshaping a person’s identity. Fashion becomes for Oli a form of “transformation art,” enabling one to change their self-image and simultaneously influence the interactions between the wearer and their environment.

The idea that fashion can not only shape a person’s external appearance but also their inner being fascinates Oli. The power of clothing, the way it forms and alters a person’s perception, becomes a central theme in his early engagement with art. This interplay of cause and effect, the manipulation of identity, perception, and change, remains a guiding motif in Oli’s work today. It is the red thread that runs through his artistic journey and infuses his creations.

Career Path: From Hotel Clerk to Film Producer

Despite his burning passion for art and design, which has accompanied him since his youth, Oli decides to follow a seemingly secure and “reasonable” path. The voices of reason and society whisper to him that he should choose a “respectable” profession – one that guarantees a good income and helps him leave his mark. So, he sets aside his artistic soul and steps into a tradition that promises a solid foundation. He becomes a hotel clerk, then a startup film producer, and eventually a marketing consultant. But in each of these career steps, he feels the longing for the freedom to express himself creatively, a deep, ever-present flicker that never fully fades.

However, despite the great creative potential that many of his professional activities bring, Oli increasingly feels alienated. The projects he works on have little to do with the higher, meaningful goals he has secretly longed for. The art he loved so much as a child recedes further and further into the background. Oli realizes that he is living a life that does not align with his true self. This sense of alienation eventually leads to a classic “midlife crisis.” The pressure and frustration grow until Oli decides to take a break and work on himself. It is during this period of reflection that a decisive turning point in his life occurs.

The Turning Point: The Decision to Become an Artist

On his 50th birthday, Oli makes a decision that will change his life forever: He will spend the second half of his life as a painter. It is a spontaneous but deeply considered decision. “I’ve always wanted to do this,” he says to himself. “I’ve dreamed of being a painter since I was a child.” But time and again, it was external circumstances that held him back – the pressure of society, the need to earn money, the expectations of his family. Now, at a time when he understands his own values and needs more clearly, he is finally ready to live the dream that had been denied to him for so long.

With every brushstroke, Oli’s creative vision unfolds, going beyond mere fantasy and diving deep into the layers of his own life experiences. Painting becomes for him more than just an artistic expression. It becomes a mirror of the dualities that define life. In his works, the contradictions of existence merge into a powerful unity: With his typically bright and vibrant colors, his pieces remind us of the happiness that stems from the bipolarity of the beauty and joy of life, as well as the shadowy colors of fear and pain. Traces of his journey through the highs and lows of life, which have made him the artist he is today.

Oli’s Art: Between Figurative and Abstract

Oli’s artworks are unique in their depth and expressiveness. What makes his painting so special is the dialogue between different layers of reality. His images contain both figurative elements and abstract forms, which interact with one another, creating a constant interplay between clarity and ambiguity.
A central theme in Oli’s works is the “bipolarity” of life. The contrast between positive and negative experiences. Between light and shadow, between closeness and distance. These polarities are what make life what it is, and they are reflected in his paintings. It is this dualism that Oli portrays in his works – the connection of beauty and sorrow, joy and loneliness. Happiness and fear. Cause and effect.

The layer work that is visible in Oli’s paintings is another characteristic feature of his style. Each painting is built up in several layers, with each layer adding a new level of meaning and interpretation. This layering creates a depth that invites the viewer to discover new details and facets over time. What initially appears abstract reveals itself after closer inspection as a concrete image, and what first seems tangible transforms into an abstract representation. These shifting perspectives are what make Oli’s art so fascinating and multi-layered.

The colors and forms are drawn from poems in which he has expressed his hopes and fears for years. This bipolar process is the central momentum of his work.

The Impact of His Art: A Reminder of Life’s Beauty

Oli believes that art has one main task: It should remind us that life, and all of us – despite all difficulties and challenges – are beautiful. In a world often marked by fear, isolation, and alienation, it is his intent to bridge the gap with his paintings, reminding the viewer of the positive sides of life. “I want to work on things that make me and others happy,” says Oli. “And that’s what my paintings should convey: That life is beautiful, that we are beautiful – despite everything.”

The variety in Oli’s work, which allows for new discoveries upon longer reflection, is an expression of this belief in the beauty of life. These are paintings that are never quite finished, always offering new perspectives and inviting the viewer to engage more deeply with themselves and the world.

The Path of an Artist

Oli’s journey, from hotel clerk to film producer to marketing consultant and finally to painter, is a powerful narrative about the courage to follow one’s dreams, even when they seem distant and unattainable. It is the story of a profound inner transformation, a journey toward self-actualization, and the unceasing search for the true meaning of life. Through art, Oli finds not only a way to express himself but also a healing process that accompanies him in his darkest moments and helps him see the world with new eyes.

Through his paintings, Oli reminds us of the importance of life’s bipolarity and shows us that both the bright and dark sides of life have their place. In a world often shaped by black-and-white thinking, Oli invites us to accept the diversity of experiences and celebrate life in all its depth and beauty.
Oli has chosen to dedicate the second half of his life to painting. And with every brushstroke, he gives us a reminder that true beauty resides within us all, regardless of our flaws and fears. His art speaks a deep truth: We are complete, just as we are, and we deserve to see ourselves in all our unique glory.