Olga Symonenko

Olga is a Pleasanton-based artist, specializing in soft pastel and watercolor.
Born and raised in Ukraine, Olga discovered her love for painting at an early age. After graduating from art school, she shifted her focus to academics, earning a degree in Computer Science and building a successful career in the IT field. Her journey eventually brought her to the United States, where a chance encounter with soft pastels brought her back to art and sparked a new passion.
She began learning more about soft pastels through serious online courses and workshops with well-known artists such as Richard McKinley, Jeanne Rosier Smith, Alain Picard, Aaron Schuerr, Tony Alain, and Albert Handell. Their instruction helped her grow as an artist and inspired her to keep painting.
Although she sometimes works in oils and watercolors, soft pastel is her favorite medium. Her work reflects a deep love for nature, and she hopes to share its beauty through her paintings.
Olga is an active member of the Pastel Society of the West Coast, Livermore Art Association, Pleasanton Art League, and Alamo Danville Artists Society. She has shown her work in both local and online exhibitions and has received awards for her art.
Through her paintings, Olga shares the peaceful and beautiful moments she finds in the natural world.