Today we’d like to introduce you to Greta Olson.
Hi Greta, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Oak Park (a town near Chicago) where I was lucky enough to be surrounded by a vibrant and encouraging artistic community. I practiced sewing and filmmaking as a hobby, but I didn’t really consider myself an artist until I was 15. Freshman year of high school I took intro to painting and was immediately hooked. I didn’t like going to the cafeteria, so during my lunch period, I would sit in the art room and paint as my teacher taught his art history classes. I started taking summer and after-school classes at the School of the Art Institute and set up a studio in my garage where I would practice. I’ll always remember the support from my mom and my art teachers who were so encouraging as I built my portfolio and applied to art schools. Upon getting into MICA and applying for local scholarships, a certain organization wasn’t able to offer me funds for school but connected me with Carolyn Elaine who I have been working with since. Working with this talented mosaicist has been inspiring beyond compare and I have enjoyed creating and installing murals all over the Chicagoland area. I hope to bring this art form into my practice in Baltimore as well, alongside my painting and illustration work.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The art world tends to underestimate femininity. There is an assumption that softness, floral motifs, and explorations of “feminine” themes are weak or lack substance. Critiques from teachers and peers have often led to the same reaction, where they claim that something needs to disrupt my work, or they say it’s too pretty and manicured. While I am always open to critique and ready to hear new opinions, I want to urge people to consider what microaggressions are helping them form their opinion. Art doesn’t have to be dark and jarring to be important. In fact, I believe that “pretty” and “crafty” can be powerful and profound. Artists shouldn’t have to make their work appeal to traditional masculine ideals in order to be taken seriously.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a painter, illustrator, mosaicist, and I have recently started animating as well. I enjoy exploring simple things like the reflection in a window, a drooping flower, or trees casting interesting shadows on the pavement. It’s exhilarating to create art out of these simple things and fully explore their multitudes. I’m fascinated by the complexity of color and light, and how they interact. Everyday occurrences of shadows, textures, tone shifts, and reflections are full of information that I aim to enhance in my artwork. Especially in the past year, focusing on the beauty of the little things has become more important to me. There are hidden details in everything, and I use my artwork as a tool to meditate on and appreciate them. I have also explored portraiture, and often depict stories from my woman identifying friends and family members as well as my own. I am fascinated by the old photo albums that have been passed down in my family through generations, and I have especially found inspiration in my grandmother’s writing. All of these stories and experiences are sacred to me, and I want to honor them through my work.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
While I have struggled with mental health throughout my life, something that has kept me going and always brings me back to art-making is my appreciation for nature and the special moments it provides. It feels easy to tune out the natural world when I am struggling, but it’s always there waiting for me. Watching storm clouds roll in, opening a window on a sunny day to feel the breeze, or even a new flower bud on my house plant are comforting in how they remind me that I’m connected to something bigger. I consider my art to be an expression of gratitude for these moments, and my art practice has helped me keep an eye out for more of them.
Contact Info:
- Email: gretasolea@gmail.com
- Website: gretaolson.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gsoart
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/gretasolea
