Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Franklin
Hi Olivia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have been creating for as long as I can remember and was always inspired by my mom being an artist that I always knew I wanted to do the same thing. I attended Lee University with a BFA in studio art with an emphasis in charcoal drawing and fell in love with oil painting. College was where I discovered my favorite master artists Frida Kahlo and began my journey documenting my life through self portraiture with anatomical symbolism.
After college I worked in the corporate world and I hated every minute of it. It’s also where I met my husband. After I gave birth to my son I went through severe postpartum depression and anxiety and around Christmas of 2020 I started painting again. My first painting was of a skull which I gave as a christmas gift to my sister.
Since then I have continued to paint as much as I can and share my story with my community in hopes to connect. I now live in Rockmart, Ga where I have my home studio and plan to continue painting as I get ready for my first solo show in the new year, March 6, 2025 at the Gallery Chamira in Atlanta.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think for me this journey has not been easy, battling with mental health, being a fulltime mom and running a business. When I’m not caring for my kids I’m working on my business and that leaves barely any room for anything else. I would say that I am successful in my business but not in the way that normal businesses perceive success. I am not making any money doing what I do but the connections and community I have is one I would never trade. I believe that even though I may not be making any money yet, my work is still doing the hard part of changing people’s lives.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As an artist I am very deliberate when I paint and oil painting is my favorite medium because it dries slowly and gives me the time to work on my pieces. My art has been a sort of therapy where I have been able to find peace when I am struggling. This essentially helps me to connect with others that may be going through something similar. I am inspired everyday by my trials and struggles. I have always been intrigued by the human body and what exists within. This is part of why I add anatomical organs in my portraits but also to symbolize emotions. My current work tells my story of battling postpartum depression and anxiety, finding love and being a mother. Postpartum is so common for women and I don’t think we talk about it enough. I strive to raise awareness to the struggles mothers experience during the fourth trimester and beyond.
Not only that I am currently working on a shoe series of my community and will have my first solo show in the new year.
When I’m not knee deep in my work, I am most definitely spending time with my husband and kids, Hunter, Floyd and Oliver.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
You can support me by following me on social media, joining my newsletter, and visiting my website.
I am currently accepting commissions. You can find stickers, prints and original art on my website.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ofranklinart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ofranklinart/
