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.

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

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.

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

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.

"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.

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.

Camera and Studio

Hi Folks,
I thought that I would give you a little more insight behind some of the paintings from Greg Olsen. This past signing event in Idaho Falls showed this concept very well. Greg says, “In a modeling session I often resort to photography to capture the images that I want. With children I use a camera. I may do some quick sketches but a child moves so quickly that in order to capture all of the details. When I’m working with children or average people who have jobs and have a difficult time sitting around here in my studio for weeks or months at a time. This helps me capture action, expression and the details that are required to do the kinds of paintings that I do. I’ll take sometimes, several hundred photographs for a single painting.”

Well, he couldn't have brought his models and studio set-up to IF could he? We like Greg's work because of the detail, and it is amazing to watch it appear on the canvas. With a photograph he can zoom in and get every fold, or wrinkle or expression that was captured. I hope to show you the actual photo shoot of the apprentice, or passing it on, or what ever Greg ends up titling the painting he started in IF. There is also behind the scenes info that explain just why he chose the subject matter. I'll have to think about exposing the secret.

Adjustments

Hi Y'all,
Just to let you know that I have gone in and adjusted the last few photos so that they are easier to see and visualize. We had a good final, weekend with Greg in Idaho Falls. Everyone was extremely nice. Once again, with a few days work on a new painting everyone thought that it looked good enough to sign and be finished. To us novices, Greg's "rough ins" look pretty good.

Greg will be signing in Utah next month. I get some additional information and let you know.

Inspiring

Hi Y'all,

Just a little more on the new painting Greg has been working on and inspiring the young. With proud parents and excited fans looking on Greg gets a little help from an aspiring artist - Jodie. This young gal was quite good and was not distracted by the crowds. Greg was impressed on how meticulous she was about the part she was painting. Anyway, I thought you might enjoy this.

The Apprentice? Generations?

Hi Y'all,
I thought that I would give you a continued look at one of the paintings that Greg is working on. It is very interesting to watch the techniques that he use in his painting. On this one with the old man teaching his great grandson the art of ship building (the gentleman is the great grandfather to the apprentice in real life) Greg paints what he calls an under painting - getting the shadowed areas in place first. It looks like he paints it twice.

Greg usually doesn't title his paintings untill he is finished so we'll see what he calls this one.

New Painting at Event

Hi Y'all,
I finally got time to work on a couple of pictures from the road. I am with Greg in Idaho Falls at the Sam's Club. Greg brought a new painting to work on while he was signing and visiting folks. This new one is about a great grandfather, a master craftsman, passing some skill and adice down to his apprentice great grandson. I actually have some video that I'll post later about the photo shoot for this painting. It would be great for Greg to have the live models but a little hard to pack them up for Sam's Club.

Cast Your Net

Hi Y'all,

Things are moving right along in preperation for the road shows with Sam's Club. The first being in Idaho Falls, ID. Greg's newest published print, "Cast Your Net On The Right Side", looks absolutely fantastic. The giclee' canvas of it is exceptional. I'll post a photo of it shortly. Idaho Falls will get the first public viewing of it.

Sneak Peak

Hi,

Here is a sneak peak of Greg's newest painting as the special event in West Valley ended.  As of yet he has not titled it.  Any ideas?  As Greg describes it, the left darker and rocky side represents the difficult times, like today.  With Christ we look forward to something brighter.  There is a bright heavenly or millennial city off to the right horizon.  A couple of doves are in flight representing "peace" and "hope".  Usually when Greg releases his new artwork he comes out with a wonderful poem or saying that helps explain the feeling or spirit of the painting.  I can't wait!

A Little Coaching

While Greg was painting at the last signing event several young people indicated (or their parents did) that they were budding artists and they really enjoyed his work.  To the surprise and treat of everyone, he had several youth help him out on this new painting.  This photo is of a young lady named Randanie who helped with some detail work with the coaching of Mr. Olsen.  What a delight.