Jason Oliva Self Portrait
Acrylic on Canvas 20″ x 32″
Collection of the Artist
Jason Oliva was born in Union, New Jersey in 1970. His childhood and
teenage years were mainly spent reading comic books, being astonished
by Star Wars and motoring around the waters of New Jersey and New York
on his father’s boat. Skateboarding also featured heavily and the
influence of both the people and places that were a part of that scene
continue on today.
From 1989-1992 Jason studied finance at The George Washington
University, became a comic book dealer, and worked at several music
venues, one of which was Constitution Hall where he had a strange
encounter with Bob Dylan. In 1992, at the ripe old age of 21, Jason
left Washington, D.C. for New York City where he began trading options
on the floor of the American Stock Exchange, continuing to do so until
early 2002
Jason had been drawing and painting since childhood and had never
really stopped. In 2000, while still at the Exchange and having built
up a body of artwork, he threw caution to the wind and had his first
art show at John Allen’s Men’s Club in downtown Manhattan. It sold out
… and so Jason’s art career officially began. Since 2002 he has had
further shows at John Allans Downtown, Midtown, Saks Fifth Avenue and
CBGB’s 313 art gallery.
In 2007 Jason swapped his New York studio for a studio in Norfolk,
England, where he lived with his wife, Sophie, until October 2009.
They have since swapped studios again and are now living in the south
of France until further notice!
A collection of works on canvas that Jason painted while living in
England are now on permanent display at New York Vintners. Shows are
also being planned in Miami and New York for 2010.
(Sophie Oliva Dec ‘09)
If you would like to purchase or commission a painting, or discuss any of Jason’s work please feel free to contact him.
Email: jasonoliva@gmail.com
