April 1, 2015

Guest Speaker & Demonstration
Tucson Pastel Society (TPS) (Fall 2015)

Invited to demonstrate and lecture.

Sponsored by the Tucson Pastel Society (TPS), this event will be held in Tucson, Arizona at the TPS Art Center. It is open to the general public and members of the guild. Admission is at no charge.

A New Approach to Color

Painting can be lots of fun; however, working with color is highly complex, with many elements to consider. Have you even introduced a new color in your artwork only to discover that something else is suddenly out of whack?

Let’s try a new approach, choosing colors in the context of relationships rather than in isolation. Packed with excellent tips and lots of information, Christy Olsen will demonstrate her painting techniques and cover all of the basics needed to create a successful painting using the pastel medium.

Pastel on sanded paper by Christy Olsen
Italian Crystal. 16x24. Pastel on sanded paper by Christy Olsen.

Date & Time

September 5, 2015 (2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

About the Host
Tucson Pastel Society (TPS)

The Tucson Pastel Society (TPS) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization established to advocate and promote the pastel medium and have fun doing art in the communities it serves. TPS is an active and vital art organization for pastel artists to flourish, fostering the skills and camaraderie of its members while encouraging community awareness of dry pastel fine art by offering exhibitions and events. For more information, visit the Tuscon Pastel Society.org.

Location

TPS Art Center
2447 N. Los Altos Ave. Tucson, Arizona 85705

March 28, 2015

Why Learn to Draw in the Digital Age?

Authored By Christy Olsen.

We are bombarded with images from morning until night via the internet, television, advertisements, and newspapers. As we move into the 21st century, our world becomes more and more driven by visual images. Drawing is a much-needed skill in the world of today and tomorrow.

Drawing is a compelling form of communication! Visual language and the visual arts are now more relevant than ever, and drawing is becoming necessary. A single drawing can communicate an idea, your imagination, a memory, a feeling, or a belief.


Charcoal heightened with white chalk on ivory paper. 8x8.

During the Renaissance, artists, engineers, and architects were in the same profession. The great draftsman was deemed omnipotent supreme because they possessed a unique skill to carry out or implement their own vision. Hatched from an idea on paper into full-blown reality, the great Duomo on the Florence cathedral was built and spawned the Renaissance.

"All of the work of the hand is rooted in thinking." — Martin Heidegger.

Drawing can be used to record, create, design, invent, experiment, organize, clarify, or even learn something new. Think about it, everything in the man-made world came from some type of drawing or blueprint.

Drawing is an amazing process itself that connects us to the outside world. It requires orchestrating multiple brain mechanisms, including observation, planning, processing, visual and spatial intelligence, emotion, motor skills, and personally expressive mark-making.


Preliminary Sketch for Larger Painting. Graphite on paper. 5x7.

"The older I become, the more I realize that drawing is the most important of all the problems of picture making." — Joaquin Sorolla


Drawing is the basis of science, engineering, architecture, geometry, mathematics, painting, sculpture, design, and cinematography. It gives you the ability and skills...

  • To conceptualize an object in your mind, then translate it to your hand 
  • Sharpen your mind and directly improve your ability to solve problems 
  • Study an object from life and absorb the information 
  • Create plans, blueprints, or designs

"Drawing remains one of the most immediate means for analyzing, interpreting and imagining our world." —Juliette Aristides.

Using the timeless visual language of drawing, you can convey an idea quickly and efficiently to anyone regardless of their own verbal language. Drawing is essential for engineers, designers, architects, scientists, and doctors and is vital to representational artists.

February 1, 2015

Richeson 75 Still Life & Floral
(Juried Exhibition & Art Sale 2015)

Espresso and Vintage Harvest each received a Meritorious Award in the Richeson 75 international art competition.

The "Richeson 75 Still Life & Floral" annual exhibition will be shown at the Richeson School of Art gallery and is open to the public. Admission is at no charge.

Espresso, original painting by Christy Olsen
Espresso. 16x20. Oil on board by Christy Olsen.

Juried Exhibition & Art Sale

Richeson 75 International are art competitions that offer a venue where established and emerging artists can show their latest, best work to a broader and more appreciative audience. The Richeson School of Art facilitates each competition with a unique genre. Artists from all over the world submit their pieces annually, where only 75 pieces are chosen, which is why it is called the "Richeson 75 International.

Jack Richeson & Co., Inc. underwrites large cash prizes for Best-In-Show and generous prizes of Richeson art studio furniture and materials for each contest cycle genre. The 75 finalists for each regular contest genre exhibit their work in the beautiful Richeson Gallery, which appears in a hardcover book for that annual competition genre.

There is also a companion online exhibit that reaches a broad audience. Medium categories include 1) oil, oil pastels, & acrylics, 2) Other media (soft pastels, drawing /dry media, watercolor, gouache, casein, printmaking, etc.).

Vintage Harvest, original painting by Christy Olsen
Vintage Harvest. 16x20. Oil on board by Christy Olsen.

Dates

March 3 - March 31, 2015

Artist's Reception

March 7, 2015 (5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.)
Refreshments served.

About the Host

Richeson School of Art is located in Kimberly, Wisconsin. They are proud to utilize locally and nationally known artists that teach a variety of art mediums at their on-site location. Their studio functions as an educational classroom, life drawing session studio, and local meeting space for artists to work during our open studio times.

Jack Richeson & Co. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of high-quality art materials. In 2005, company founder and CEO Jack Richeson realized his lifelong dream of creating a resource for artists to exhibit artwork, gain inspiration and further their artistic education.

About the Gallery

Richeson Gallery features over 700 original works of art composed by the Richeson Permanent Collection and regional and local artists. As part of its mission to support the visual arts community, the Richeson School of Art operates and sponsors an art gallery on-site.

Richeson Gallery in Kimberly, WI

There are two rotating exhibit spaces where world-renowned artists hang alongside up-and-coming artists' work, creating a beautiful harmony for visitors to experience. The permanent collection holds over 500 works by artists, including Stephen Quiller, Zoltan Szabo, Ramon Kelly, Richard Schmidt, Urania Christy Tarbet, Erica Norelius, and many more.

Richeson Gallery in Kimberly, WI

Location

Richeson Gallery
557 Marcella Street, Kimberly, WI, 54136

Hours

Tuesday, Thursday & Friday (10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
Wednesdays (10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
Saturdays (10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
Sundays & Mondays (Closed)
Or call for an appointment.

Sales

Artwork may be purchased during the show at the gallery but must stay hung throughout the exhibition. For Purchasing Information:
- Visit Richesongallery.com
- Phone +1 (800) 233-2404 or +1 (920) 560-3777
- Or email: artschool@richesonart.com


Publications

Espresso and Vintage Harvest were published in the limited edition Richeson 75 International exhibition book.

All Richeson 75 International competitions are capped off with the publication of a collectible, limited-edition, full-color, hardcover exhibit book. These books include the finalists' work and feature meritorious awards from the competition.

Richeson 75 International
Still Life and Floral 2015

Italy in Retrospect in Narthex Gallery
(Solo Exhibition & Art Sale 2015)

Artwork will be shown in an invitational solo exhibition!

Italy in Retrospect is a one-artist exhibition featuring original oil paintings and pastels by representational artist Christy Olsen. Subjects revolve around central Italy and its unique characteristics, including history, architecture, artistic legacy, rich traditions, wine, music, and colorful landscapes. Twelve large paintings will be shown.

Santa Maria from Assisi, original painting by Christy Olsen
Santa Maria from Assisi. 24x36. Oil on board by Christy Olsen.

Tuscany is an Italian province surrounded by beautiful rustic countryside with yellow, red, and orange flowers and is also known for its Renaissance history and influence on high culture. However, the lesser-known province of Umbra is the home of the "Umber" pigment originally extracted from this mountainous province. It was used to make the famous Old Master's palette colors such as "Raw Umber" and "Burnt Umber." Original works in this show have umber and burnt sienna.

I didn't realize it at the time but now looking back in retrospect on the last few years, I have been painting a collection of scenery, colors and souvenirs that revolve around my former 2012 trip to Italy, where I visited Umbra, Tuscany and Rome.”

Solo Exhibition & Art Sale

This event is open to the general public. Admisison is at no chage.

Dates

March 1, 2015 - April 5, 2013

Artist's Reception

March 1, 2015 (10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
Refreshments served.

About the Gallery

Narthex Gallery is located on the grounds of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Enter the North Entrance marked "The Gathering Place" and walk straight to the exhibition. Or enter the West Entrance marked "Sanctuary" and walk straight ahead exhibition is on the right.

Narthex Gallery

Outside Narthex Gallery

Location

Narthex Gallery
7575 N. Paseo del Norte, Tucson, AZ 85704

Hours

Daily (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.).

Sale

Artwork may be purchased during the show but must stay hung throughout the exhibition.

For Purchasing Information:
Phone +1 (520) 297-7201


The Event

Photographs that were taken of the installation.

Installation

Installation

December 19, 2014

Navigating the Art Market
of the 21st Century
(Spring 2014)

The art market has been turned upside down in the past decades by the rise of the digital age. Explore past, present, and future art market trends. Learn how to sell your work online and the basics of what you need to be successful. No prior computer experience is required.

Adult Visual Art Class

Offered via The Drawing Studio (TDS).

About the Drawing Studio
The Drawing Studio (TDS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that enriches people's lives by providing artistic inspiration and studio art instruction for people at any age (from 9-90+) at any level of experience. For more information, visit The Drawing Studio TDS.org.

Instructor
Christy Olsen

Date
January 11, 2014

Meets
(1) Saturday Morning (1:30 PM - 4:30 PM) 3 hours

Location
The Drawing Studio (Studio No. 1)
33 Sixth Avenue,
Tucson, Arizona 85701

Level
No prerequisite. All levels are welcome, from beginner to advanced.

Enroll
Online (The Drawing Studio TDS.org)
Or phone: +1 (520) 620-0947

Course Code
N/A

Tuition
$55, $40 (Associate Members)

December 5, 2014

A Breath of Plein Air (Master's Circle) in TDS Gallery
(Silent Auction & Art Sale 2014)

Was invited into the 2014 Master's Circle Gala event, called A Breath of Plein Air!

Master Circle artwork will be auctioned. This event is open to the public with purchase of admission. Only 200 tickets are available to purchase in advance.

47 Miles to Tucson, original painting by Christy Olsen
47 Miles to Tucson. 18x36. Oil on board by Christy Olsen.

Gala & Charity Silent Art Auction

Join us for a festive celebration including food, music and art! All proceeds from this event help directly support the Drawing Studio.

Gala Preview Viewing Only

January 22, 2014 (5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.)
Wine, Opulent Hor d'Oeuvres served with music.

Gala Event

January 24, 2014 (6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.)
Wine, Opulent Hor d'Oeuvres served with music.

About the Host

The Drawing Studio (TDS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that enriches people's lives by providing artistic inspiration and studio art instruction for people at any age (from 9-90+) at any level of experience. For more information, visit The Drawing Studio TDS.org.

About the Auction

Art will be auctioned and available to anyone who purchased a ticket. You may direct your tickets toward any piece or pieces of art you want to take home! The winning tickets will be drawn for each piece at 8:30 p.m. Artwork is "cash & carry," which means that if you win the auction, the piece may be taken home immediately.

The Drawing Studio

Location

The Drawing Studio
33 S. 6th Ave. Tucson AZ 85701

Parking

Street parking is available. Please call us if you need special accommodations


The Event

47 Miles to Tucson. was auctioned during this event.

November 27, 2014

Art from the Heart
(Group Exhibition & Art Sale 2014)

Original pastels will be exhibited and sold in Murphey Gallery. All proceeds directly support non-profit art charities.

Lincoln Memorial at Sunset by Christy Olsen
Lincoln Memorial at Sunset. 8x10. Pastel on sanded paper by Christy Olsen

Charity Art Sale & Exhibition

Art from the Heart is a charity art sale and exhibition. All original artwork will be in the pastel medium, created by the Tucson Pastel Society art guild members. Originals in various subjects will be displayed in multiple sizes, from small to large. The event is free and open to the public.

Small original artwork less than 11x14 (with the frame included) is priced at $100.00 or less. The following original was donated to the charity art sale.

Cottonwood by Christy Olsen
Cottonwood. 5x7. Pastel on sanded paper by Christy Olsen
Donation for charity.


Dates

December 1, 2014 - January 5, 2015

Artist's Opening Reception

December 10, 2014 (5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.)
Refreshments served.

About the Host
Tucson Pastel Society (TPS)

The Tucson Pastel Society (TPS) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization established to advocate and promote the pastel medium and have fun doing art in the communities it serves. TPS is an active and vital art organization for pastel artists to flourish, fostering the skills and camaraderie of its members while encouraging community awareness of dry pastel fine art by offering exhibitions and events. For more information, visit the Tuscon Pastel Society.org.

About the Gallery

Located in the heart of Tucson, Arizona, the Tucson Botanical Gardens is dedicated to horticultural and ecological education, with 16 gardens representing a variety of gardening traditions and botanical themes.

Education Center at Tucson Botanical Gardens

Location

Education Center at Tucson Botanical Gardens
2150 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712

Hours

Daily (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) or call for an appointment.

Sale

Original artwork may be taken immediately after the transaction is complete.

For Purchasing Information:
Phone +1 (520) 324-0166