Over the years she would practice her sketches during her spare time but it was not until 2019 that Guyanese-born Oleisa Scott decided to take her paintings to a higher level and even Coca Cola recognised her creativity as she continues to perfect her skills.
Scott told the Village Voice from her home in Trinidad and Tobago that for most of her teenage to young adult life, she has always had a fascination for recreating images through sketch. Back in 2001, while completing her secondary education here in Guyana, she entered her first public exhibition during a summer vocational program for which she received the first place award for her contribution to the visual arts.
In 2006, the former Saint Joseph’s High student moved to Trinidad and Tobago where she embraced change by embarking on a new journey on the shores of the Twin Island Republic. While there she received her formal education in the faculty of humanities earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education but at the same time, visual arts remained dear to her heart.
As such throughout the years, she engaged in sketching various images as a hobby and pass time. It was not until 2019 that her interest peaked after attending a ‘Sip and Paint’ session as a team building exercise with her fellow co-workers. At that moment, a burning desire to practice art more holistically became ever more prominent in her thoughts and she set about producing her pieces.
Soon after her abstract art work “Flames” was exhibited at the Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago during the annual exhibition for members in November 2020. The captivating piece was further photographed and selected by Coca Cola to be part of the “First” drive through exhibition within the capital city of Port-of- Spain.
Her work can be best described as Abstract by definition but by no means is her repertoire limited to this style of creativity. She is interested in creating space, distance, and depth through the use of colour, texture and visual imagery.
Her choice of medium includes acrylic on canvas, wood and mixed media and she remains excited about exploring various styles and techniques throughout her creative journey and thereby discovering her own unique perception of what Art means to her.
The response. Well she said positivity has been the tone of support since she place artistic touch on the front burner and it has been so favourable, that one of her pieces titled “She Glows in the Summer Heat” caught the eye of former Massy Group CFO, Paula Ramkumsingh who purchased the item. She said too that others have expressed an interest in commissioning her pieces and she was also approached by some to teach art as a team building exercise.
Oleisa said it is her goal to be able to utilize her skills to educate, communicate, inspire and encourage a deeper appreciation for art and beauty.
The former Tucville Primary School student is currently a member of the Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago, the oldest institution for fostering and promoting appreciation for the Arts in the twin Islands. She is also a member of the The Women in Art Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago. As regards the latter, she has received inspiring words from that body’s President , Ms Michelle Davis who described Oleisa as a true artist. She noted that Oleisa’s work and sense of colour is amazing.
At the moment, her creations are on display at the ongoing exhibition entitled ‘Toute Bagai: A Carnival Exhibition’ and Oleisa’s artwork is featured among some of the biggest names in the industry on the island
