Olha Malko

Olha Malko, an artist from Ukraine, was born and grew up in the village of Moryntsi, Cherkasy region, the birthplace of Taras Shevchenko, the famous Ukrainian poet and artist.
Inspired by the picturesque views of the surrounding nature, Olha paints colorful landscapes. But she is not limited to realistic depictions of landscapes, still lifes, or flowers. Often, ordinary everyday things in her paintings are filled with deep philosophical meaning. She creates images in her paintings that are not immediately revealed to the viewer, and such paintings are complemented by text.
The artist enjoys participating in various competitions, saying they give her new ideas for creating artworks.

“No doubt my passion is watercolor, because it is alive as a life. I like to take watercolor paints and go outdoors. I appreciate its portability and the property to dry quickly. Moreover, watercolor is absolutely perfect for catching a moment of fleeting life,” — tell us Olha. She works mostly in watercolor, but also in oil and mixed media, depending on her idea or a customer’s wish.
Compatriots know not only her artistic work but also her poetic work: she has collections of poems titled “Blue Bird”, “Crumbs of Eternity” (haiku), and a children’s book titled “To Sleep,” illustrated by her.
“Painting and Poetry are my two wings, which at least a little lift me above the mundanity.”

Art Journey

First Steps

artistic inclin

When her peers chose noisy games, Olha drew with a pencil, a pen, or simply with her fingers on the snowy ground. So it is not surprising that when a branch of a children’s art school was opened in her village, she began studying there. Thus, the door to the fascinating world of art opened for the girl.
After graduating from high school, Olha chose pharmacy. But art lived in her, sometimes making its way outside through patterns in the margins of notes, portraits of friends, or plein-air landscapes (one of them later became the first artwork purchased from the artist).

Harvest in a village.
Plein air watercolor. 1984

Pharmacy

first career

Working in a pharmacy, Olha explores various creative directions: embroidery, batik, and Petrykivka decorative painting. In the end, having got to the art studio at the Central House of Officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Kyiv), she chooses painting. She joins the Kyiv Association of Amateur Artists “Creativity” and participates in group exhibitions. The result of that period’s creativity was her solo exhibition “Song of my soul”.

Selling Art

on the street

Andriivskyi Uzviz (Andrew’s Descent) in Kyiv is renowned as the city’s “Montmartre,” a permanent open-air art fair and a hub for artists, painters, and craftspeople. Olha also becomes part of the Andrew’s Descent community during the holidays. They are interested in her artworks and buying them. New acquaintances, orders, and offers open for Olha. During that period, she designed the package of medicinal preparations based on plant components. Also, five greeting cards by Olha Malko were available at Ukrposhta branches.

Orange Pink Roses — For a greeting card. 2006

ClipArt Design

side hustle

Times have changed. Art has also moved online. Olha is interested in a new direction for her – watercolor clipart. She digitizes her watercolor flowers and sells images (clipart) on Etsy. And offline, Olha becomes a fan of mini watercolors (ACEO). This is a perfectly convenient size for traveling. When there were many such little ones, her second solo exhibition – “Breath of Native Land”– took place. After the exhibition, the National Reserve “Homeland of Taras Shevchenko” invited her to take part in the plein air “Watercolors from Taras’ dwelling”. Then the artist creates a coloring book and designs souvenir mugs commissioned by the Reserve.

Going Online

selling art worldwide

The Internet has expanded opportunities for artists as well. Without leaving home, you can present your art in different corners of the world. After passing the selection, Olha begins to sell her artworks on Artfinder — an online art marketplace. She participates in online exhibitions and various creative competitions, which she learns about from social networks. And in the summer, in her native village of Moryntsi, where many tourists come, this restless woman conducts interesting excursions and open-air workshops for children and adults.

A Wheatfield with Poplars. — For an online contest.
Inspired by Van Gogh

Present Day

in harmony

Olha continues to combine rural life and creativity. Surrounded by nature and her pets (cats, dogs, goats), she is inspired to create new paintings and poetic lines. The artist tries to see familiar things from a different perspective and show this to others through her creativity.

Green Tunnel — Green tunnel.
Plein air, 2024

Milestones

Exhibitions

“Crumbs of Eternity” is a solo exhibition-presentation of the book of haiku named the same. It took place in the National Reserve “Homeland of Taras Shevchenko” (Moryntsi, Cherkasy region). Olha is the author of poetic lines and illustrations.

“In the beginning was the Word” is a solo exhibition of illustrations created on an old newspaper for “InkTober”. It took place in the National Reserve “Homeland of Taras Shevchenko”, Moryntsi, Cherkasy region.

“Breath of Native Land” is a solo exhibition of tiny watercolor landscapes. It took place in the National Reserve “Homeland of Taras Shevchenko”, Shevchenkove, Cherkasy region.

“The Song of My Soul” is a solo art exhibition at the Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine in Kyiv.

“Between Worlds”, Taras Shevchenko National Museum, Kyiv. Artworks: Contemplation of a puddle. Diagonal.

“Small Pictures, Big Stories” – ACEO international exhibition, Madam Palmgren Gallery, Lviv.

“Unbreakable flowers”, Mytets gallery, Kyiv, Ukraine. Artwork: Spring can’t be beat.

2023 – “Volunteers in the Battle for Life and Freedom”, Grounded Festival, Pritličje — Ljubljana, Slovenia.
2023 – “Volunteers in the Battle for Life and Freedom”, House of European Parliament — Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Artwork: Those who give hope.

Contests

An online Sakura 100 years contest from Sakura Europe.
A winner of April.

The Sardine Contest organised by EGEAC – Lisboa Cultura invites artists, designers, illustrators, and creatives of all ages and nationalities to reinterpret one of the city’s most iconic symbols: the sardine.
Using the original sardine outline, they challenge participants to create unique and surprising sardine designs, using whatever artistic techniques they see fit: drawing, painting, collage, photography, illustration, digital media, three-dimensional work, or any other form of visual expression.