Mikael
Olson
Born in Denver in 1973, Mikael Olson
has been painting for as long as he can remember. "I paint because it is
the most natural way for me to define myself. I prefer to paint ordinary things,
and I try to paint them honestly. Painting is my response to the intoxication
of my visual experience."
Mikael
is a graduate of Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, and has continued to
hone his craft through studies at the Arts Student League of Denver. He has worked
alongside such prominent painters as Quang Ho and fellow Coloradan Kevin Wechbach,
and includes among his influences such diverse talents as Andrew Wyeth and Richard
Diebenkorn. His painting style, which he describes as "impressionistic toward
slightly expressionistic," is beautifully suited to the subjects he prefers:
single objects in bold still-life, human figures thoughtfully composed and cleanly
rendered, and light-infused street scenes.
Mikael's
work was featured in the September 2002 issue of Southwest Art as part
of the publications continuing series "Emerging Artists: 21 under 31."
Mikael joined Chaparral Fine Art in 2004, and will be participating in his
first group show at the gallery in June of 2005.