Meet Olga Dmitriyeva, a watercolourist that is making waves with her incredible creations. The Kazakhstan-born and raised local speaks to us about her art, and what it is about Malta that inspires her.

“I love keeping notebooks containing sketches and drawings from each country I visit or live in,” she explains. “I came to Malta almost three years ago, and this tiny island has become my home, and inspires me daily to create new artworks.”

Olga tells me that Malta’s colours inspired her from the start. “From the very first day in Malta, I fell in love with the distinct ‘Maltese’ colours like sky blue and limestone. I also find the turbulent history and baroque architecture of this island very interesting.”

The idea behind her upcoming exhibition, she says, is to share her personal vision of the island and its life through her watercolour art. “My works also help bring a bit of colour into peoples' homes.” And through this exhibition she hopes that viewers will get to know her and her artwork.

Her paintings will be exhibited at Palazzo de Piro. “Mdina is one of my favourite places in Malta, and it really feels like you step back in time when you walk its streets,” Olga recalls.  “When an opportunity to exhibit my works at Palazzo de Piro came along, I couldn’t refuse. Palazzo de Piro is also a fine restaurant and I personally love dining there.”

Her paintings feature stunning views of Mdina, Valletta, Marsaxlokk, Mosta, and other less-known landmarks such as Mtahleb and Ta' Pinto. In addition, it includes a collection of colourful fruits that are grown here. “I really like to sketch on location as this way I can share my true ‘on-the-spot’ emotions and impressions of that place,” she reveals.

Olga’s paintings will be on display throughout July and August, and the official opening of the event will take place on 5^th July at Palazzo de Piro.