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 require 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 treehouse, 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.
for more info email:
info@picturethisgallery.com
