"...Light dances across the landscape, ...mood and color,
...the evolution of a spiritual journey."

Kristen Olsen's artwork is the embodiment of the eclectic spirit of the West. It exudes the warmth, drama, joy and diversity of the land and the artist herself. A connection to the landscape and its spiritual essence is evident in the joy of life expressed in her paintings. All of Kristen's work reflects a quality of light, nature and spirit drawn from life in the West. The varied use of subject and techniques empower her paintings with a depth and sophistication that are products of an urban studio, mountain living and foreign travel.

Kristen is a full-time professional artist in Pastel, Oil, Acrylic and mixed-media techniques. This synergistic effect of differing cultures and mediums motivates her experimental nature. She loves capturing the essence and the dance of sunlight played in ever-changing drama. Her work is infused with passion, light and an exciting play of color and texture.

Kristen has won over 20 national and international awards and has shown in more than 40 galleries throughout the United States. She was recently featured in national magazines such as Southwest Art's "Artists to Watch," a four-page article in "Artist's Magazine," Denver's "Art Revu," and captured the Gold Medal at the International Association of Pastel Societies for her exciting and passionate impressionist techniques. She has been chosen to exhibit for the past five years in New York at the prestigious Pastel Society of America shows and the Salmagundi Club Annuals capturing numerous awards. Last year the National exhibit of Oil Painters of America (OPA) and the Gilcrease Museum featured Kristen's work!

Kristen is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America thereby acquiring the honor of using PSA after her name and belongs to OPA and Allied Artist of America. She is represented in galleries, museums, corporate and private collections. By invitation of the Chinese government, she lived six weeks near the Russian-Mongolian border of China, painting, lecturing and studying with Chinese artists. A most inspiring encounter!

Kristen is truly an artist who translates the language of life into her own style and vision.