Biography
Susan Olsen
Contemporary Oil Painter
Biomorphic Expressionism
Visual art is the journey that I have chosen to take. My ultimate goal is to emulate with paint human’s sensory perceptions of nature felt deeply and profoundly. Celebrated is a playful marvel of life. My pieces are expressionistic and sometimes abstract. Even in this format they need to be understood universally or they fail.
The process itself is a push and a pull. Elements of shape and color depend on each other. The brilliant subdued by the earth tone. Garish being the necessary. Directional shapes enable travel. Paths that lead the eyes abut, converge and contradict one another. Micro and macro suggestions coexist. I seek the disorder, the entropy that miraculously works beyond obvious logical reason; the teem.
My most recent works have felt a change in color and landscape. These pieces have been inspired by the experience of living and traveling throughout Norway beginning in 1999 to 2013.
My work is also greatly influenced by my experiences as an art instructor to approximately 400 middle years students annually in a public school setting. I love this inspirational experience: the teem.
SHOWS and EXHIBITIONS
Gallery 270 Amesbury MA Fantasy Landscapes (2014)
Gallery 118, Newburyport High School , Newburyport MA Abstract Show (2008)
Remis Gallery, The Governor’s Academy MA New Paintings, two person show (2007)
The Lofts at Clarks Pond, Amesbury MA Open House (2007 and 2006)
The Provident Bank, Circuitous II Amesbury MA solo show (2006)
The Cummings Center, Danvers MA solo show (2004)
Arnheim Gallery, Boston MA Circuitous, two person show (2003)
An Evening of Jazz and Art, Amesbury Middle School, Amesbury MA(2002-2011)
M.S.A.E. (Honors), concentration oil paint, abstract expressionism, conceptual art
Massachusetts College of Art (2003)
B.S. Art Education, PreK-9 Certification
Massachusetts College of Art (1996)
LIFE EXPERIENCES
Art Educator Grades 5-8 (2007-present)
Amesbury Middle School Amesbury, MA
Art Educator Kindergarten through 4th Grade (1994-2007)
Amesbury Elementary School Amesbury, MA
European and Asian Travel ( 2001- present)
Kongsberg Norway , Leave of Absence from Amesbury Middle School to live in Norway year of 2010