ABOUT

Olga Oreshyna is a Canadian wood artist known for her unique wooden wall art sculptures created from recycled wood. Her work blends contemporary design with natural texture, transforming intuitive craftsmanship into one-of-a-kind artworks.

Welcome to Woodblocks Design — an independent art studio in Ontario, Canada, where I create handcrafted wooden wall sculptures for real homes and real listeners. My work is shaped for people who look closely, trust their senses, and care about the way a room feels — visually and acoustically. This page is a short introduction About Woodblocks Design, I always return to the material first — wood tells the story, and I follow it.

About Woodblocks Design – a late start and a self-taught path

I began my art journey later in life and taught myself everything through practice — cutting, sanding, painting, experimenting, and starting again. There is no school for this kind of work, so I learned by doing.

Because I never studied the “proper” techniques, I don’t feel tied to rules. I work intuitively and allow the material to guide the process, staying spontaneous and experimental throughout.

Why I work with wood

Much of my inspiration comes from the wood itself. I collect pieces simply for their natural beauty. I believe every piece retains something of the living tree — its quiet spirit and memory — and my work is to honour that.

Knots, grain, small cracks, and irregularities are not defects to hide. They are stories. Wood feels alive and breathing, and every sculpture grows around those details.

Recycled materials, real craftsmanship

Whenever possible, I use recycled or reclaimed wood. It feels meaningful to give these trees a second life — they were not cut down for decoration alone. I enjoy the challenge of transforming a raw, abandoned resource into a timeless piece of art.

I do not use CNC machines or laser cutters. Every block is cut, shaped, and fitted by hand into its exact place.

Over the years, we approached many galleries. Most were polite, some were silent, but doors stayed closed. Meanwhile, real people — collectors, design lovers, and serious listeners who care about the way a room feels — visually and acoustically — kept saying yes. This website is built for them, not for gatekeepers.

The creative process

My sculptures are composed of countless pieces of wood assembled into loosely geometric compositions. Layers of paint are built up and then sanded back down, revealing hidden colours beneath.

Much like people, the most interesting parts often live in the layers we don’t see at first. I find discovering the depth of these hidden layers the most rewarding — in both paintings and people.

Recognition and projects

In October 2010 I proudly received the Gold Award in the art category from the Recycling Council of Ontario, in recognition of excellence and commitment to a sustainable environment. In 2011, I earned a Newmarket Art Grant and transformed it into the public art project Beauty of Abandoned Nature. Three wooden block sculptures made entirely from recycled materials are now on permanent display in various Newmarket public facilities.

More recently, I have been honoured to create a commissioned artwork for the Earls Restaurants art collection. One of my wooden wall sculptures is now permanently installed at their King West location in Downtown Toronto. These acknowledgments bring pride and joy to my daily work in the studio.

Ready to see the work?
Explore our Available Works, discover Acoustic Art, or view our Exhibitions & Awards.