My name is Tyra Willoughby Oliver. I have had a lifelong love art and drawing. I am a 2011 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a Bachelors in Fine Art and concentration in Design. I currently live in Central North Carolina with my husband dog, and cat.
As an oil painter, I focus on figures both human and animal. My work is done to capture the beauty of the natural world, highlight the personality of my subjects. I create snapshots of emotion, from the love a beloved pet or family member. The usage of expressive figures and a realistic sense of lighting in my work is to create a snapshot of emotion, be it the love of a beloved family member or to highlight the significance of a moral virtue. I am influenced by historical Christian art and Victorian portraiture. I use a layered technique and subtle colors to create enhance textures, create depth, and highlight the emotion in each painting.
