Eric Olson    Bio

Artist Statement

I am a painter and mixed media artist creating two-dimensional and sculptural work based on the ideas of structure, change, and “random” influences.

The focus of my work has been the concept that throughout our lives we build, piece by piece, a virtual structure that defines ourselves and upon which we hang our own meaning, a structure built with components such as our heritage, education, personal decisions made, careers, relationships, experiences, social networks, geography, personal values, etc. We continue building, altering, and destroying elements of this structure in reaction to continually changing surroundings, influences, and in an attempt to control our lives or shape ourselves into who we ultimately want to be- yet can never fully achieve. Put another way, we are forever changing our own situation in order to gain more satisfaction, to find our ultimate happiness.

Dot Paintings:

In the dot paintings, which are based on random number tables, I paint various colors (in the form of squeezed thick paint) over a carefully mapped out grid pattern on metal, plastic or wood surfaces.  I am exploring the tension and balance between the structure we want and the unavoidably random and constantly shifting environment we live in.  To me, these highly textured and mathematically random dot paintings create visual movement and imply discernable patterns that causes the eye to continually search for what doesn’t exist.

Eric Olson
Decision Making Process (Part 1)
Acrylic on aluminum
36 x 36 inches

Eric Olson
Brace Up (diptych)
Acrylic on Aluminum
48 x 37 inches each

Eric Olson
I Have No Anxiety (triptych)
Acrylic on Aluminum
27.5 x 27.5 inches each

Eric Olson
GD.5
Acrylic on aluminum
36 x 48 inches

Eric Olson
Untitled (Yellow Diptych)
Acrylic on Aluminum
48 x 73 inches together
Sold

Eric Olson
Lost
Acrylic on Aluminum
24 x 48 inches
Sold