Oliver Searle - Artist Profile

Biography

Ollie was born in the U.K, where he trained and graduated as a dancer from Central School of Ballet, London. While studying Ollie realised his passion was for the visual arts. Shortly after graduating as a dancer he moved to Brisbane Australia, leaving his ballet shoes behind.

Ollie then studied Graphic Design at Southbank Institute of Technology where he developed computer skills and re-discovered his passion for drawing and painting. In 2007 he graduated with a Diploma of Graphic Design. Graphic Design confirmed that he preferred to be an artist with real media over computer based media.

Since his graduation Ollie has experimented with different techniques and found that pencil, watercolour and pastels are the mediums that he prefers to work with. During the past few years Ollie has focused his efforts on artwork that has a fashion flavour. Recently Ollie has been asked to illustrate at fashion events, helping to establish him as an fashion illustrator/artist.

Artist Statement

My dream of being a professional fashion illustrator/artist inspires my artwork. I work with various mediums from watercolour to oil pastels, to pencil, to the odd computer work here and there. I have even been known to produce the occasional mad abstract with acrylic! I am open to the idea of doing commissions, especially of people, so if you have an enquiry feel free to email me at ollie@ollie-ink.com.

"Oll-Doll, the Unlikely Superhero" is the name of my character displayed on t-shirts/singlets and casual bags. These items and my artwork are sold through Ollie-Ink, the name of my website and business, and support the charity ACT For Kids via online sales. ACT For Kids is a not-for profit organization, which provides free services to treat and prevent child abuse. Feel free to have a look at their website - www.actforkids.com.au. Most of the Oll-Doll items on the www.ollie-ink.com online store include a donation amount to the charity, and also includes a tax-free receipt for Australian customers.

Oll-Doll has a page on Facebook with over 1000 people who like Oll-Doll. Ollie-ink donates a percentage to ACT for kids for every person that joins. There are also pictures of Oll Dolls adventures on his fan page and also on my website.

Commissions

August 2010 - CD Cover for client
July 2010 - Portrait for client
June 2010 - Sanctuary Cove June 2010 - Sanctuary Cove's "Next Big Thing in Fashion", QLD, Australia, Sanctuary Cove, QLD, Australia

Current and Upcoming Exhibitions

September 2010 - Freestyle Tout Group Exhibition, West End, QLD, AU (opens 1st September)
June 2010 - Tidy Art Space - Brisbane, QLD, AU (until late August)

Exhibitions

July 2010 - Freestyle Tout Group Exhibition, Valley Emporium, QLD, Australia
July 2010 - ACT For Kids Annual Exhibition, White Canvas Gallery, QLD, Australia (opened 23 July)
June 2010 - Sanctuary Cove Emerging Art Festival, Sanctuary Cove, QLD, Australia (19/20 June)
June 2010 - Tidy Art Space - Brisbane, QLD, Australia
December 2009 - Petits Travaux Exhibition - Byron Bay, NSW, Australia
June 2009 - Heart Foundation Exhibition - Brisbane, QLD, Australia