Byron Talks: Oil Painter Vlad Kolas
Photographs and words by Adele Scaysbrook
From his Byron Bay home studio, award-winning painter Vlad Kolas creates striking large-scale portraits rooted in the abstract and inspired by the faces and spaces around him.
Tucked away peacefully in the suburbs of Byron Bay is oil painter Vlad Kolas’ home studio. He darts around rocking bare feet and paint-splattered shorts as Bowie belts out from his phone.
A past winner of the prestigious Northern Rivers Portrait Prize, Vlad stands with a brush tightly in his grasp staring into the engaging eyes of his latest work. An impressive large-scale portrait of a Galloway cow, commissioned by a local farmer, hangs on the back wall. Much like Vlad’s other works, this portrait is alive with colourful hues, expressive strokes and tangible texture.
Inspired by abstract expressionist painters, Kolas explains the meaning behind his distinctive art style.
What took off for me was when I combined abstraction with a subject. When I took those lessons and used them to transform a recognisable theme.
Vlad moves harmoniously between his palette (an old cafe table) and his canvas, much like the ebbing flow of the waves at Belongil with fresh sand peppering the floor from this morning’s swim.
The white garage walls are decorated with streaks and splashes as paint-stained brushes sit amongst a rainbow of soaking rags. His restless passion and boundless creativity surging like electricity within these studio walls.
In this conversation, layers are stripped back to reveal the many dimensions of Vlad’s artistic journey and creative process as he shares his deepest motivations, influences and future aspirations. This talk is an insight into his masterfully creative mind, affording the opportunity to appreciate the dreams and vision of a talented local artist set in the context of his day to day reality.
When did you realise you wanted to pursue Art and what drew you to oil painting?
I grew up surrounded by painting, with both my grandfather and mother being painters, so art was always a part of my life. However, it wasn’t until I was about 23, during my cabinet-making apprenticeship, that I realised I wanted to pursue art more seriously. I felt a bit frustrated with not being able to express myself artistically in that field. Around that time, my partner and I would go on dates where we’d draw and paint together, and she noticed I had an ability for it. She encouraged me to attend the National Art School, which ultimately set me on the path to studying and pursuing art. Over time, I gravitated towards oil painting because of the depth and richness it allows. I love the layering process and the slower drying time, which lets me keep developing an image over time. Oil painting feels very alive to me - it allows both control and spontaneity.
Where do you draw inspiration from and what subject matter do you most love focusing on?
My inspiration often comes from the world around me and the artists I grew up with. Painting to music gives me a certain energy and helps me express myself on the canvas. I feel a strong connection to my mother and grandfather, whose influence is always present in my approach to painting. I’m often inspired by everyday objects and people—looking closely at the angles, colours, and shapes that exist within them. I’m especially drawn to faces, but because I came from a more abstract background, I try not to make things overly illustrative. I prefer the work to stay expressive and open, allowing the paint itself to speak.
What is your creative process and does it ever change?
My creative process often begins with observing shapes, colours, and forms in my subject or theme. I usually start loosely, allowing the painting to evolve organically on the canvas. I enjoy letting spontaneity guide me, and I find that this approach keeps the work fresh and dynamic. Sometimes I work from a reference or a specific idea, but I always leave room for the unexpected. My process does change over time; I’m always inspired to try different techniques and ideas. While it can sometimes feel overwhelming with so many possibilities to explore, I gradually work through them, keeping some and setting others aside. There are endless possibilities to experiment with, and even though I maintain my own style, evolving my process keeps me interested in working.
What do you hope to achieve through your work?
I hope to achieve something deeper than just the object itself in my work. I want to create an emotional response—a connection that goes beyond the surface. At the same time, I feel like I’m continuing a family painting tradition, especially inspired by my mother and grandfather. Through my art, I strive for honest expression—being true to my feelings and experiences—so that anyone who views my work can find their own meaning in it.
Which artists inspire you?
I’m deeply inspired by the painters in my family—my mother and grandfather—who gave me a strong foundation. Later, I found a connection with abstract expressionists like Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock. Although I was painting in a similar spontaneous way without knowing them, when I discovered their work, I felt a kindred spirit—yet I didn’t want to be locked into imitation. In fact, at times, it felt like a hindrance, because I was wary of being too close to their path. I still feel like I haven’t fully fulfilled my ambitions in pure abstraction. Instead, what took off for me was when I combined abstraction with a subject—when I took those lessons and used them to transform a recognisable theme. In that way, I’m still exploring; sometimes I don’t even know if I can call myself an abstract painter, because my most successful pieces happen when I abstract a subject.
What is the most challenging and rewarding part of your work?
The most challenging part of my work is knowing when a painting is finished. There are moments when I have to push through really difficult stages, where I’m not sure if I should keep going or step back. But when a painting suddenly comes alive—when it clicks—it’s incredibly rewarding. Those moments of discovery, when something unexpected and fantastic emerges, keep me going. It’s in those moments that all the effort and risk feel worth it.
What is your favourite artwork that you have created?
My favourite artwork is the one I haven’t created yet. I’m always looking ahead, trying to push further, and I never feel fully satisfied with what I’ve done so far. Every painting is a step toward something better, something more fully realised. I hope that one day, a piece will emerge that feels like the culmination of all my efforts—and I know that will be my favourite, but I’m not there yet.
See more art from Vlad Kolas on his instagram or website:
@vladkolasart and https://www.vladkolas.com
Or head over to Ninbella art gallery in Bangalow
