Olga Kalamkarova
Bio
My name is Olga Kalamkarova. I am originally from Russia but have been living in Canada since 1992. I was licensed as a pharmacist in Halifax, Nova Scotia where I worked for 11 years. In 2006, I moved to Vancouver, which is now my permanent residence.
I started to do digital art after unsuccessful operations to remove a benign tumour in my neck. As a result of the operation, I was left quadriplegic and wasn't able to use my hands and legs. I asked to attach an IV stand to my power chair and use elastics around my hands to hold them. Later, I asked a volunteer engineer to help me build a better device to support my hands. Once my hands were supported, I was able to use them a little bit better.
Now I try to live by the simple principle that you are not just the body, and suffering is weakness.
I discovered that the use of digital imaging and Adobe Photoshop is the most suitable artistic medium for me.
I create a new and different world using photographic details to tell the story. For my final composition, I use several different original photos that were taken by me before the operation.
My story teaches us to appreciate each and every opportunity life offers us. My art aims to inspire people and to help overcome their own challenges; my art gives people strength and hope.
Artistic statement
Olga Kalamkarova is a digital artist with a disability. An unsuccessful operation to remove a benign tumour left her quadriplegic. Instead of being pessimistic about life, she looked at the brighter side of things and turned to art. She discovered that a use of digital imaging and the Adobe Photoshop is the most suitable artistic medium for her.
Olga was always interested in natural beauty and had great attention to details. However, she never intended to mimic nature; she'd rather prefers to create a new and different world governed by her emotions. She is using photographic details as a tool to tell the story. For her final composition, Olga uses several original photos. Her art aims to inspire people and to help overcome their own challenges.
My name is Olga Kalamkarova. I am originally from Russia but have been living in Canada since 1992. I was licensed as a pharmacist in Halifax, Nova Scotia where I worked for 11 years. In 2006, I moved to Vancouver, which is now my permanent residence.
I started to do digital art after unsuccessful operations to remove a benign tumour in my neck. As a result of the operation, I was left quadriplegic and wasn't able to use my hands and legs. I asked to attach an IV stand to my power chair and use elastics around my hands to hold them. Later, I asked a volunteer engineer to help me build a better device to support my hands. Once my hands were supported, I was able to use them a little bit better.
Now I try to live by the simple principle that you are not just the body, and suffering is weakness.
I discovered that the use of digital imaging and Adobe Photoshop is the most suitable artistic medium for me.
I create a new and different world using photographic details to tell the story. For my final composition, I use several different original photos that were taken by me before the operation.
My story teaches us to appreciate each and every opportunity life offers us. My art aims to inspire people and to help overcome their own challenges; my art gives people strength and hope.
Artistic statement
Olga Kalamkarova is a digital artist with a disability. An unsuccessful operation to remove a benign tumour left her quadriplegic. Instead of being pessimistic about life, she looked at the brighter side of things and turned to art. She discovered that a use of digital imaging and the Adobe Photoshop is the most suitable artistic medium for her.
Olga was always interested in natural beauty and had great attention to details. However, she never intended to mimic nature; she'd rather prefers to create a new and different world governed by her emotions. She is using photographic details as a tool to tell the story. For her final composition, Olga uses several original photos. Her art aims to inspire people and to help overcome their own challenges.
The Walk
Digital Imaging
8” x 10”
$50.00 with frame
Digital Imaging
8” x 10”
$50.00 with frame
Spring
Digital Imaging
10” x 8”
$50.00 with frame
Digital Imaging
10” x 8”
$50.00 with frame
Old Leaves
Digital Imaging
8” x 10”
$50.00 with frame
Digital Imaging
8” x 10”
$50.00 with frame
Photographs by Rachel Warick
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Photos by Rachel Warick