Charmaine Olivia is a contemporary American painter whose work explores the female form as an emotional and psychological landscape. Born in Encinitas, California, and raised in a spiritual household where yoga and meditation were daily fixtures, Olivia began painting with oils at the age of seven. This early foundation in introspection and mythology has evolved into a globally recognized aesthetic that balances hyper-realistic figuration with vibrant, Fauvist-inspired abstraction.

Her creative process is uniquely shaped by aphantasia—a condition where she is unable to visualize mental images. For Olivia, painting is not an act of recreating a memory, but a primary means of exploring an imagination that only takes form through the physical act of applying color to canvas. This intuitive approach allows her to build "other worlds," using color and distortion to carry emotional weight rather than relying on literal depiction.

Deeply influenced by her Sicilian heritage and the Greek ruins that populate its landscape, Olivia’s work frequently draws on ancient mythology. Her recurring goddess figures serve as vessels for feminine archetypes and personal self-mythmaking. Drawing inspiration from spiritualist painters like Hilma af Klint and the bold palettes of Henri Matisse and Frida Kahlo, her recent work has shifted toward a lush harmony of botanical elements and fluid, expressive gestures that symbolize growth and transformation.

Throughout her career, Olivia has maintained a powerful independent presence in the art world while collaborating with major cultural icons and brands, including Lady Gaga, Hallmark, and Volcom. After years in the San Francisco gallery scene, she now lives and works in Washington, where she continues to cultivate an international audience of collectors drawn to her evocative, soul-baring portrayals of the feminine divine.