Portola Art Gallery newcomer Kristen Olson offers painting workshop
Artist Kristen Olsen is new to the area, moving here last March, but she’s brought her painting skills, honed over a 20 year period in Hawaii, with her.
“I’m adjusting to a whole different world,” she says. “I believe that I was born to paint. I love what I do and am enjoying painting the gorgeous Northern California scenery and the fall season colors — my first fall in over 23 years. This is a great area, full of wonderful, creative and interesting people. It’s an interesting experience to be an artist in techy Silicon Valley.”
As one of the newest members of the Portola Art Gallery, Kristen will be offering an Impressionist Landscape Painting Workshop at Allied Arts Guild on November 3 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm The one-day workshop includes lunch at the Blue Garden Cafe. More information on the workshop, as well as how to register, is available on her website.
When teaching impressionist oil painting to beginning through advanced students, Kirsten’s approach is gentle but structured, with a clear working method to help students gain the tools and understanding of how to interpret and express their personal vision of the landscape from life or photos. Students learn from painting demonstrations as well as individual attention at their easels. While oil is Kristen’s primary medium, she is happy to include watercolor and acrylic in any of her classes.
During the workshop, she will teach students how to uncover, recognize and develop their own artistic styles. Concentration will be on the basic principles of drawing, composition, value, color and edgework. She will also teach students how to create flow and movement in their paintings.
“When I paint, I start with a subject that inspires me and then allow the painting to evolve as I work on it,” she says. “In finishing a painting, I concentrate on texture and on creating a work of art rather than an exacting portrait of the subject. This allows me to finish the paintings from my heart. The process of painting can develop a special connection to the world like no other.”
Photo of Kristen Olson by Frances Freyberg
“Harvest Time” by Kristen Olson (12×12, oil on linen)
