ABOUT: Olavi Viheriälä

Olavi has one of the most interesting styles. I can see a blend of graffiti and abstract influences in his work. His mixed media artworks have really captured my interest and inspired me to use more techniques in my own creations. I'm glad to have him as part of the Octulos Interviews, and this is his journey.

Let's start off with a beer. What beer would you say is your favorite?
Oh, I have many. Been lately in to APA´s. But I am always open to try fresh flavors from new (small) players.

Where did your journey in art began?
Already as a child. I was really in to drawing as a child. I used to draw a lot and also participated in drawing competitions and to a cartoon class. I have always been in to art in many ways. I used to play music in a band called Half Past Never Band, which played a mashup of soul, funk and hiphop. Sometimes I play around with scale models.

How did you end up in the stickerscene ?
I have always been eager to try many different styles and scenes. Whether it is painting to canvases, murals or stickers. Originally I found ”sticker scene” from football, where is a major sticker scene among ultra fans all over the world. I used to trade first football ultra stickers and nowadays also graffiti stickers.

What inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your artistic skills?
I am fully self taught artist. During the years, I have tried couple of different kinds of art classes, but ended all of them before the end :) So, the answer is: I develop my skills by doing.

If you would have to describe your artistic style, what would you say?
I have tried, but it is difficult. There are few different angels: Using of colors. I am really bad at using color palettes or such. My style is very colourful and I like using a lot of colors instead of minimalist usage. I take inspiration from street art and I like to mix techniques. For instance, I have made stickers with a technique which is a combination of markers, Lino cutting and press and spraying.

Can you share some of your favorite or most significant artistic projects or pieces you've created?
I like most my own projects and I do commissions very rarely. As I am a big football fan and follower, my favourite projects are related to football art. I have done some decorations to Olympic Stadium in Helsinki for Finland National Team and those projects have been my favorites.

You do digital as well as on paper and walls. What brands and tools would you recommend for papersketches and what do you recommend for walls?
Yes I do both. I do not have any specific brand that I prefer, but for stickers I use mostly water based sprays (Molotov One4All) and markers all brands.

What do you like the most about what you do ?
Freedom. I do not make art for living and I love it. No need to stress about sales or such and I can just focus on experimenting and creating weird stuff.

"Finding an inspiration is also a method for me to find motivation."

Are there any artist you look up to?
Yes several. I don’t want to name only one, but there is a pretty active sticker scene in Finland and I recommend people to search for that scene. It is amazing.

Everyone has their way of working. How do you approach the creative process, from conceptualization to completion?
As mentioned, I use several techniques. In addition to that, I use to have several projects ongoing at the same time. It is quite a mess some times, but I also like finishing projects and things and start new ones so I think it progress pretty well. Sometimes I also might have long period of times without any art, but I think that is quite common.

How do you stay motivated and overcome creative blocks or challenges in your work?
I have noticed that now and then, there comes time periods when I do not have motivation for art. I have accepted it and also I have noticed that those times will pass over. Finding an inspiration is also a method for me to find motivation.

Not every art, is for everyone. How do you handle critiques or feedback on your work, both positive and negative?
I think it is nice to get feedback. But I get it quite rarely. Maybe it is because I am not that much in to promoting art in social media. Also, as mentioned I do not make art for living, which means that handling the feedback is quite relaxing.

The most thing I like to see in an artist is progress. What are your long-term artistic goals, and where do you see your art career heading in the future?
I do not have any goals as an artist. Or I could say that I would be happy if the motivation stays and I make art still after lets say 20 years. But I am also ok with a situation if the motivation changes to lets say music or what ever other topic.

Some artists feel they have a deeper meaning regarding their artwork. Does your art have a deeper meaning to you?
Not any special. I just like to do it :) Simple as that

Do you have anything else you would like to share with the world?
Keep up supporting your local art!