Contest 7 - Winner's Interview - Olga Diaz Neira

Please tell us about your journey as an artist.

I have been painting for over 25 years. Since I was a child, I have felt a deep passion for animals (wild and domestic), and painting has always been a way to express that love. I grew up surrounded by all types of animals, and my father Antonio passed on to me and my siblings a deep respect and love for them.

I started painting with oil and charcoal, and as I grew as an artist and explored different techniques, I gradually found my artistic path. Each medium helped me evolve, but it was pastel that truly resonated with me.

That is why I am currently  enjoying the pleasure of pastel painting and following that creative route.

I specialize in wildlife, animals, and pets.

What is your medium and why did you choose it?

As mentioned before, my medium is pastel painting. After experimenting with oil, charcoal, and other techniques over the years, I discovered that pastel allowed me to express both details and emotions in a way that truly resonated with me. It gives me the flexibility to capture the texture, depth, and soul of the animals I paint. That’s why I chose pastel (it feels like the most honest and sensitive way to bring those animals to life).

There is something intimate and immediate about working with pastel painting. It allows me to capture the softness of fur, the light in an animal’s eyes, and the quiet beauty of the natural world. On my opinion, it is not just a technique, it is the voice through which I tell my stories.

What was the inspiration behind this work?

My inspiration comes from my lifelong passion and love for animals and more specific for cats. What moves me deeply is the way they inhabit the world with authenticity and grace. Each piece I create is a tribute to that connection. I try to capture not only their physical presence but also the emotions they evoke (the calm, the strength, the mystery). They inspire me to see the world with more empathy, and to paint with equal freedom and sincerity.

Who is your favourite artist? Why?

My favourite artist is Michelangelo Buonarroti. He was a true genius, not only because of his technical mastery, but because of the way he captured both the perfection of the human body and the depth of the human soul. His sculptures seem to breathe, and his figures are full of strength, emotion, and spirit. In my opinion, his work represents the highest union of art, anatomy, and inner truth.