Olivia is the oldest of four children in her family, and she has always had a natural love for creativity. From a young age, she would spend hours drawing and coloring, and that passion has only grown over the years. Besides art, Olivia enjoys swimming, cooking, and exploring the outdoors, especially spending time in nature. Her hobbies reflect her curiosity, imagination, and love for expressing herself in different ways.

Do you like art about real life or fantasy worlds?
“I like art about real life because I can see it and it allows me to draw it. A real-life scene I would love to create is a river flowing through the mountains with small waterfalls along the way. I would use many shades of blue and green to capture the beauty of the landscape. Real-life art helps me connect with nature while practicing observation and detail.”

It’s a great reminder that sometimes the most magical scenes aren’t imagined, they’re already right in nature. Olivia chooses real life over fantasy in her art, showing how deeply she values the beauty around her and the practice of observation and detail.
What inspired you to start making art?
“I don’t really know what inspired me to start making art because I’ve been doing it for as long as I can remember. I decided to take art classes because I wanted to improve and learn new techniques. I was curious about sketching and figuring out how to draw what I see. I also wanted to learn how to paint with watercolor.”

Olivia’s natural love for art shows she has always been creative at heart. It’s wonderful that she wanted to challenge herself with new techniques. Curiosity is one of the best motivators for becoming a great artist.
Have you ever wanted to paint a beautiful dream?
“No, because my dreams are usually strange. Instead, I enjoy painting dreamy nature scenes. Some of my favorites include fall leaves floating on the water and a cliffside with a lighthouse. Someday, I would love to paint water lilies like Monet.”

Fun Fact: Monet painted his famous water lilies more than 250 times, showing how even one scene in nature can inspire endless creativity!
What’s your favorite outdoor activity with family/friends?
“I like hiking with my family and playing in the mountain rivers along the way. Hiking is fun because it feels refreshing to be surrounded by nature, and the water feels amazing on a hot day. I also enjoy playing night games with my friends in the summer. Night games are exciting because they’re fun, a little bit scary, and a great way to meet new people.”
Olivia’s favorite activities, hiking and playing games show her love for both adventure and connection. Spending time outdoors is more than just fun; studies show it actually reduces stress and boosts creativity in kids. It’s a great reminder that nature and play are some of the best classrooms for young artists.
What do you like most about being homeschooled?
Something I like about being homeschooled is having more free time since school doesn’t take as long. I also enjoy going on vacations with my family. Last year, we visited the Meteor Crater in Arizona after studying it in our Astronomy Unit, and we also saw the Grand Canyon. I love being able to experience the things I learn about.

Olivia’s take on homeschooling shows how learning extends beyond books. Being in nature and exploring important places not only makes lessons unforgettable but also broadens the mind and inspires future goals!
If you could jump inside your artwork, what world would you explore?
“I would explore what it’s like to climb the side of a giant Oreo milkshake. I can imagine the slippery glass cup under my feet and trying to hold a rope steady on the edge with all the whipped cream. It would be delicious once I finally reached the top. I would love to jump into many of my artworks because it’s fun to imagine living inside them.”

Who wouldn’t want to climb a giant Oreo milkshake? Art is like a magic portal where you can jump right in and suddenly be climbing, sliding, or even snacking your way through your imagination. What a great thought!
Which art medium do you like more (oil pastels, charcoal, watercolor, etc.)?
“I prefer watercolor because I love how much water I can use and how smoothly it spreads across the paper. I also like the bright, pretty colors. Watercolor feels limitless, as though I can create anything I imagine. I especially love how the colors blend together naturally.”

I think it’s wonderful that Olivia connects with watercolor, it’s such a versatile medium that encourages freedom and flow.
Fun fact: Watercolor is one of the oldest painting methods in the world, used by artists as far back as ancient Egypt! No wonder it still inspires young artists today with its bright colors and natural blending.
What are your top 3 favorite projects from Nimmy’s Art?
“It is hard to choose, but my first favorite project is the Valentine watercolor dog. I loved this one because of his fluffy look and cute bowtie. My second favorite is the watercolor kiwi on a floaty, which was fun because the bright green and purple colors made it stand out. My third favorite project is the watercolor sea turtle. I enjoyed adding polka dots on its skin, which made it look extra cute.”

I think it’s so fun how Olivia’s favorite projects highlight her playful side. Each choice shows her eye for color, detail, and a love for adding personality to her art.
How do you feel when you finish your art?
“When I finish a piece of art, I feel calm, happy, and excited all at once. There’s nothing like seeing the ideas in my head come alive on paper. I love noticing how much I’ve improved by using new skills from my weekly classes. Sharing my artwork with others makes all the hard work worth it.”

Seeing Olivia describe the calm and joy she feels after finishing a piece reminds me how powerful art can be for kids. It shows how creativity can balance emotions.
Fun fact: studies reveal that making art lowers the stress hormone, which explains why kids feel so relaxed and happy after creating.
What’s one dream art piece you’d love to create in the future?
I want to create a piece of artwork that is completely my own. I imagine it being a cat sitting on a bed, snuggled up in the sheets. Its little head would be poking out, showing its big eyes. I would use watercolor for this piece.

I think it’s so sweet that Olivia’s dream artwork is inspired by something cozy and personal. The simplest everyday moments can make the most heartwarming masterpieces!
“I am so proud of the artist you are becoming! I love how your artwork reflects both your love for real-life nature scenes and your playful imagination. Your curiosity to try new techniques shows me how eager you are to grow and challenge yourself. That’s the mark of a true artist.”
Keep holding onto that curiosity, Olivia. Whether you’re hiking in the mountains or playing in rivers, your art will always be a special way to express who you are. I’m excited to see all the wonderful creations you’ll bring to life in the future.” – Nimmy Melvin
Cheerful shout outs from happy parents!
We hope you had a great time reading Olivia’s Art Story! Stay tuned for more!
Nimmy Melvin, the award-winning visual artist, envisions nature, the surroundings, and every object around her from a different perspective. An expert in both traditional and digital art mediums, including acrylic, oil painting, watercolor, oil pastels, and digital painting, she excels at nurturing creativity and imparting artistic skills to kids.