"My passion for art was inspired at a young age. As a child, I always remember sitting at my little desk making a picture. It seemed I often communicated visually. Whether it was in a Christmas card to family or a personal journal entry, there was always a drawing to be found. I remember thinking how my little creations would become alive as I made the final touches.

I was home schooled through most of my schooling years. It was during this time that my first art teacher gave me the initial inspiration to pursue my natural drive toward art. I have since studied at The American Academy of Art in Chicago, Marwen (a not for profit organization in which I am now an alumnus) and at The Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago. It was at the latter that I studied with many amazing artists to whom I credit my knowledge on how to see as a painter and am grateful for their generosity and encouragement. Thank you to my instructors along the way, Clayton J. Beck III, Scott Tallman Powers, Romel De La Torre, Diane Rath.

I am also inspired by many of the great masters, including Antonio Mancini, John Singer Sargent, Norman Rockwell and Richard Schmid to name a few.

In 2007 I was selected to be included in Southwest Art Magazine's 21 Under 31 section in the September 2007 issue".

Marci Oleszkiewicz received the AIS Award of Excellence
for her painting entitled "Memories" at the 9th annual American Impressionist Society National juried exhibition.

The awards ceremony and reception took place on Friday November 21st.
This years awards juror was Landscape artist Calvin Liang. This is Marci's second year to have received one of the top awards for this exhibition.