The Spirit of Christmas

Hi Y'all,
You will be some of the first to read Greg's new poem that goes with his painting - The Spirit of Christmas.

The Spirit of Christmas
By the magical light of a small Christmas candle
A little old man tries to carefully handle

The small porcelain manger which serves as a bed
For the wee Baby Jesus to lay down His head.

In wonder he brings the manger up to his view,
Smiles at the baby and whispers, “I love you!

I love you for bringing this season of joy,
I love you for growing to a man from a boy;

For being our light and leading the way,
For being the spirit which makes Christmas Day!

You’ve been my mentor, my model, my hero and guide,
Please continue to help me and stay by my side.

I’ve tried to follow your teachings and give as you gave,
Reminding all to be kind and that it’s wise to behave.

Help me to serve others and bring them your light,
Especially the children, please bless them tonight!

Some have so very little, scarce food for their table,
You know how it feels - you were born in a stable!

Bless all their mothers and fathers with a knowledge that’s sure,
The best gift they can give is their love, strong and pure.

That’s the Spirit of Christmas when all’s said and done,
God’s gift of love, that came as His Son!”

Then back to His mother the child is returned
The Nativity glows as the candle is burned.

In a wink the little old man slips quietly away
Some say he goes up the chimney and climbs in a sleigh.

Whatever the case, His mission is clear -
Give unto others, bringing love and good cheer.

He flies into the night and bids us adieu
Doing for others what Jesus would do!

Greg Olsen - 2009

Repair Man

Hi Y'all,
At the last road show there was a lady who was bringing in a figurine of one of Greg's painting to get signed by him and it apparently got broken, so she glued it back together for him to sign anyway. Not only did he sign it for her but he touched it up for her - like new (or better). Now she has a "one of a kind"

Greg Olsen on Face Book

Hi Y'all,
For those of you on "Face Book" you may want to look Greg's Fan Page up. Greg share pics and thoughts daily. For those of you in the Utah area, Greg will be signing and personalizing art at a Costco Road Show in Orem Utah. The Rd. Show will be there November 5 - 14, but Greg will only be there Nov. 5,6,7.
Here is the link address to Face Book: http://www.facebook.com/gregolsenfan

Halifax NS Park Painting

Hi Y'all,
Here is the painting that Greg was working on the last time I had a chance to see it. I like it.

Park Bridge

Hey Y'all,
Now that everything is back to normal for a week or so here is some more info about the latest painting that I have seen Greg working on. This is a small piece 11x14 or somewhere around there. It is so bright and beautiful. Some folks at the show wanted to know if Greg was going to put Jesus into the painting. No. This is just a kick back and have fun painting image that does not have such a daunting task.

On The Road Again

Well, we are on the road again with Greg and postings are a little difficult at times. Here in Mesa, AZ it feels like summer into the high 90's. Greg was at the Costco road show last weekend and is back this weekend to sign and personalize his art. Lots of folks stopping by to say high. We are displaying all of Greg's newest paintings; Hope on the Horizon, The Spirit of Christmas and Cast Your Net on the Right Side. The publishing company was only able to get the Spirit of Christmas in matted print form, nothing framed, and they sold out really fast. The canvases of Hope sold out fast.

Greg did start a new painting as has been the norm recently. I have not been able to modify this image so it is huge. He photographed a bridge in a park in Halifax, NS a few weeks ago and decided to paint it. The painting is small but gorgeous.

Signing Schedule in Arizona

Hey Y'all,

Just in case some of you are from Arizona, here is Greg's Signing Schedule for the road show at the Mesa Costco Oct 8-17.
Thursday, Oct. 8 10:00am – 3:00pm 4:00pm – 8:30pm.
Friday, Oct. 9 10:00am – 3:00pm 4:00pm – 8:30pm
Saturday, Oct. 10 9:30am – 2:00pm
Thursday, Oct. 15 10:00pm – 3:00pm 4:00pm – 8:30pm
Friday, Oct. 16 10:00am – 3:00pm 4:00pm – 8:30pm
LAST DAY -Sat. Oct. 17 9:30am – 2:00pm 3:00pm - 6:00pm

Hopefully will get a peek at the verses Greg wrote for his new Christmas piece "The Spirit of Christmas" - we knew the working title as "Oh Come Let Us Adore Him"

Hope On The Horizon

Hey Y'all,
Here is the first look at Greg's official description of Hope On The Horizon:
HOPE ON THE HORIZON

In the midst of this panoramic vista Christ stands looking to the horizon and to a city which symbolizes Heaven, or the Kingdom of God; the Kingdom of God, meaning not only a place, but a concept, a spiritual destination for the believing and the pure in heart.  On the left we see dark storm clouds and a rugged outcropping.  This side represents the stormy, rocky and troubled world we often find ourselves experiencing.  It reminds us of the despair and fear caused by the dark forgetfulness we journey in.  We often wander with only a dim view of who we really are, where we are going or even where we came from.

With His staff, Christ divides the scene in two, identifying the contrasting experiences and making us aware that He is giving us a choice between the two worlds.  Coming to Christ gives us a perspective of hope and peace, symbolized by the doves, where we can now see clearly. This outlook fills us with gratitude and love which casts out all fear.  Christ reminds us that He has weathered the storm for us and trod the rocky path in our behalf so that we may have joy here and now depending on what part of the panorama we choose to focus our awareness on.  He is the living water that flows with pure love and carries us to that transcendent place of peace and happiness.  With Christ’s perspective we can experience heaven not only as a distant hope on the horizon, but as our sanctuary moment by moment.
                                                                             Greg Olsen -2009

Still Building Ships

Hi Y'all,
I thought that I would show you the most up to date work on Greg's new painting, note the addition of a new boat. Like I said before the detail work is what he is working on now. He has worked on the young mans hair and shirt. He has also worked on the tools and the boat that the boy is sanding. Lots of very positive comments about the piece.