The art of Greg Olsen illuminates the soul and spirit of its subjects and uplifts the
hearts and
minds of its viewers. Olsen's diverse interests are deftly demonstrated in oil paintings
that
range from the realistic and historical to the whimsical. His luminous, delicate
portraits
capture not only his subjects' likeness, but their spirit as well. Landscapes of scenes
from
America and the world over reflect the perfect beauty of the mind's eye.
As a child, Olsen often relied on his imagination for entertainment - as an adult,
his
imagination entertains us with paintings that depict the best and brightest memories
of
childhood.
Born in 1958, Olsen was raised in a farming community in rural Idaho. His
parents,
artists themselves, recognized and encouraged his early love of drawing. Later, the
devoted
tutelage of a high school teacher cemented his affinity and enhanced his technical
ability. After
studying illustration at Utah State University, he was hired as an in-house illustrator
in Salt
Lake City, working on anything from murals and dioramas to simple paste-up. Two
years later,
he followed a friend's advice and began painting full time. Sales from his first show
only just
covered the cost of refreshments and invitations, but yielded the first of many
commissions
that were to come.
His Biblical paintings, represented in religious temples in more than 20 countries
around the world, and his work for the Pentagon and the National Collegiate Athletic
Association required intensive research and strict attention to factual detail. While
these
historical paintings satisfy his desire to render works with a sense of permanence, his
whimsical paintings afford him the freedom to transfer his imagination to canvas.
When Olsen
paints a tree house, he paints it the way the children climbing it imagine it to be - the
simple
boards and nails of reality become elaborate, majestic castles in the sky.
Olsen's paintings are included in many corporate collections, including Mobil
Corporation, Turner Broadcasting System, Westin Hotels, World Explorer Cruises and
the
American Cancer Society, as well as the Pentagon, the U.S. Forest Service and the
State of
Idaho. His works have been exhibited in prominent art galleries throughout the West
and
major one-man shows.
Olsen's philosophy on art is quite simple. "For me, I just always appreciated the
beauty
of art and the way it made me feel," he says. "Art's greatest purpose is just to make us
happy. I
take a lot of pleasure in painting and hope that pleasure is contagious to those who
look at my
art."
BIRTHPLACE: Idaho
EDUCATION: Utah State University
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