FEATURED ARTIST OF THE MONTH

JAIME OLAYA

Jaime Olaya was born in Ebejico, Antioquia, Colombia. He studied Fine Arts at the Instituto de Bellas Artes in Medellín, Colombia. He was a professor of Arts in Colegio Calazans in Medellín and also in the Arts School of Eladio Vélez de Itagüi, Antioquia. He has participated in several important expositions in the Museo de Antioquia, where the biggest collection of Maestro Botero is in exhibition and in the Biblioteca Pública Piloto. He lives in Seattle since 1990, where he teaches art classes and has exhibited his works in several important places, such as the Gallery in the Seattle Museum and in the University of Washington. One of his works was chosen for the collection of Harborview Hospital and was the painter chosen for the Hispanic Seafair of Seattle in 2001. Olaya's work has been featured on September 2003 Edition in Persona magazine, and Sea Latino by Nelida Mendoza. He was invited by the Seattle Art Museum for a collective exhibition in September 2002 for the celebration of Hispanic month. At this time, all his works are being promoted nationally with the Gallery Art Visions.

Jaime Olaya considers himself a naturalistic painter who strongly believes that "Man should live in harmony with nature, and technology shouldn't go to any extreme."

His paintings depict memories of his homeland with special interest in the native women of his culture. "They are women that dream in silence, with only the ambition of motherhood and a simple life. Their names represent humility, resignation, hope and imagination. The women that I paint reflect my culture." He adds, "I hope that through my paintings people can perceive the deep values of my cultural roots."