Olinsky was born in Yelisavetgrad, Russian Empire (now
Kirovohrad,
Ukraine). After immigrating to the United States at the age of twelve, he studied at the
National Academy of Design, then worked for the American muralist
George Willoughby Maynard, then for
Elmer Garnsey, then for
John La Farge in Boston until about 1906. Olinsky became best known for his female portraits in a style that tended towards Impressionism. He was awarded full membership in the National Academy of Design in 1919, and served as an longtime instructor at the
Art Students League of New York in
Manhattan, New York City. By 1942 he was living in
New London, Connecticut. Olinsky suffered a stroke in December 1961, and he died on 11 February 1962. ==Legacy==