Hi Y'all - Happy Holidays
Well Greg has been very busy this past month. For a couple of weeks in November he was touring the Mediterranean region; including a re-visit to the Holy Land. He said that he took lots of pictures and got a few ideas for future paintings. Currently Greg is going to a signing event in Poway, CA at the Costco there. Then back to Utah in the Sandy Costco's for signing up to almost Christmas. He has been to busy to get much if any painting done, but I'll keep you posted.

Events and Schedules

Hey Y'all,
I wanted to remind you that if you are in the following areas you can stop in and say "Hi" to Greg. He will be at the Poway, CA Costco for a road show and signing Dec. 3-5 & 11-12 during store hours. Then, he'll be in Sandy, UT at the Costco there. I haven't seen an official schedule but he should be there from Dec. 15-23 during store hours (except for Sunday). All of his new images will be available and so will his new 'Digital Art' DVD. It is really cool! There were images that I hadn't seen before.

For those who partake and celebrate Thanksgiving - Enjoy and be safe. Greg took a trip to the Holy Land a few weeks ago; I'll try to get some stories and info.

A Little More Progress

Hi Y'all,
I don't have a laptop so when I get to motels with no public computers available it is a drag. At the last road show and signing event Greg strived to work a little on his "Apprentice" painting in-between visiting and signing. The detail work makes it look like not much is getting accomplished but it is still fascinating to watch.

NEW DVD

Hi Y'all,
Great News! Greg Olsen Art will be coming out with a DVD of Greg's Work. This DVD will have slide show features of the various Greg Olsen themes such as; Inspirational, Western, Childhood & International. Each of these are put to a piano music back ground. Then it will have some sort of "wall art" feature so that you can just some or all of Greg's 120 painting images on your TV screen. The pictures will rotate every 4-5 minutes turing your TV into another source of beautiful art. Sounds cool. I can't wait to see how it works. Supposedly it should be available in the next few weeks. I'll try to get a preview.

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.

Signing

Hi Y'all,
Well I promised to get back to work. Greg's last signing event in Ogden, Utah brought out even the younger crowd. This young lady wanted her pink shoe signed. Greg was still working on his new piece featuring a grandfather passing his trade down to his grandson. Because of the detail work it doesn't look like it has changed much, but it has. An interesting point is that this painting, so far, has been totally done during road shows at various places. Everyone has loved it - the colors, the theme, and the anticipation of having a print.

Greg uses paintings like this to unwind. The inspirational pieces are a daunting task especially when they feature the Savior.

Back in the saddle

Hi y'all,
Boy, you get side tracked for a little bit and pretty soon summer is gone. Hopefully there are still some interested Greg Olsen fans. A lot has happened and I'll try to catch you up. Several of the pieces that we have talked about are now in print and up on the gregolsenart website. It is easier than ever to find Greg's website now because they have so many domain names now that transfer you right to the official website. gregolsen.com now takes you directly to the official website.

Hope On The Horizon was unveiled a month or so ago and is now in print. If I do say so myself, I think that this painting will rival O'Jerusalem - It is awesome!

"Hope On The Horizon" unveiling

Hi Y'all,
Sorry for the long delays. Between traveling and injuries it has been tough to get going again. Great News! Greg's painting about hope and looking to the future will be unveiled at BYU's Education Week (next week) on campus at the BYU Bookstore. The unveiling will be between 12:00p and 1:00p. Greg Olsen Art Publishing will be there with a large display on the 3rd floor. They are taking a lot of discounted and on sale prints, framed and unframed. Greg will be there much of the time signing and personalizing art. This is exciting because it means that the image will soon go to print and be available.

New Prints

Hi Y'all,
Apparently Greg has developed a Face Book page that he addresses daily with pictures, quotes and etc. I'll get more details for you shortly. There are many things in the works right now and I'll start addressing them. Greg Olsen Art Publishing will be coming out with a series of black and white images that will enhance anyones decor. Plus, more on the Christmas "santa/nativity" picture that many of you watched Greg paint. the working title is all we have at the moment "Oh Come Let Us adore him". It should be available the middle of Aug. It is a 16 X 20 matted to a 20 X 24. You'll be able to purchase it framed or as a matted print.

Signing Away

It is harder than I thought keeping this up while on the road, sorry for the inconvenience. I heard some flack about not getting Greg's schedule posted like I said that I would - once again sorry! But, it may have been a good thing because Greg had so many things going on that last week in Utah at the Sam's Club Murray store, that he wasn't able to keep much of his schedule. He said that he would try to do better. I have posted a picture of Greg personalizing some of the art that was available at his last event.

More Detail

Hi Y'all,
This road show is really slow moving so Greg is getting a lot of work done on his painting. It is fun watching the detail emerge. No fantastic stories from this trip as of yet. I think you'll enjoy the dtail starting to appear. As before the image will open up large because the hotel computer doesn't have photoshop.

Hi Y'all,
Here is a photo of Greg working on the "apprentice"?? - that he had worked on in Idaho Falls. The show in Murray at the Sam's club is extremely slow so he is getting more work done on this. Sorry, I haven't been able to size this pic so it is pretty big.