Iridescent Light - Christine Olmstead

Iridescent Light

2019

This collection was inspired by a trip to Iceland. The colors in these works feature the amazing shades of blue, black lava, whites, greens, and golds present in the landscape. The iridescent material is representative of the changing magic colors of the Northern Lights.

Previous works

2020 Meditations

2019 Iridescent Light

2019 Breathing Room

2018 The Divide

2017 Meet Me in the Black & White

2017 Miscellaneous

2016 Blue & Gold

Don’t follow me on TikTok it only gets weirder.

Don’t follow me on TikTok it only gets weirder. Meet my ladies. #artistatwork

You’ve got time. Read it again. If you’re stil

You’ve got time. Read it again. If you’re still here, you’ve got time. Don’t rush through it. Don’t dwell in distraction. Today, take a step toward the life you want. What does it look like? Do one thing today that gets you closer. Soak in something small, a delightful little something that makes you feel human and makes you feel alive. Today, that’s painting for me.
#slowdown #doitfortheprocess #studioscenes #studio

A couple of my favorites went to their forever hom

A couple of my favorites went to their forever homes this week. I shocked myself when I got emotional and shed a several tears when “Let It Hold Your Hand” left the studio. She’s got such a hold on me and will forever I imagine. She was made in memory of my college roommate, Amanda.

When I lost my roommate, I cried for months. Even though we hadn’t lived together for years, knowing that someone I was close to and lived with for years was gone, and much too soon, was shattering.
Amanda, this painting I made for you is going to it’s forever home, in Texas. I can’t help but think that it would have warmed your heart to know that this painting is going to live near the place you lived. It was waiting for the right home near you. Miss you friend. 🖤#doitfortheprocess #letitholdyourhand #thedivide

We Don’t Touch Anymore #1-4, 11”x14” from To

We Don’t Touch Anymore #1-4, 11”x14” from Touching and Other Illegal Things. Acrylic and oil pastel on canvas panels. All 4 works are now available.
These pieces incorporate lifelines in keeping with several previous series of mine.
However, here the lines do not touch; they don’t cross. They are whitewashed over, sanitized. Whitewash symbolizes sanitation as this was the common method of sanitation for centuries. It also symbolizes the whitewash of news and the incessant whiteout that is the barrage of information. And even though our lifelines do not touch in these works, there is tension. Here, the floating ghosts of lines past and the colors of our current lifelines radiate underneath the whitewash. Vibrating under the surface, tense, and sharp, our lifelines wait for closer days. For more on lifelines, visit the blog post in my bio link.
#doitfortheprocess ##showemyourstyled #abstractartist #homepolish

Whenever I post a video in my story about stretchi

Whenever I post a video in my story about stretching canvas I inevitably get several questions and comments about it. “Why do you stretch your own canvas?” “You know you can buy pre-stretched, pre-primed canvas right?” Here’s what I know. Stretching and priming my own canvas is an intimate and ritualistic experience for me. Before I’ve even begun painting, I have touched every centimeter of the piece. I’ve already wrestled with it and know every inch of it before I’ve even touched brush to canvas.
I know where its flaws are, I know its weaknesses and its strengths. And by the time we’ve gotten to know each other, it has told me what movements would work best with its body. And if any arguments arise between us about paint placement or about movement, I know I will win, because I’ve already stretched it and pulled it and made it submit to my will.
To stretch your own canvas is to have already succeeded with the painting before you’ve even begun. 🙏🏻 #canvaspainting #studioscenes #doityourself

#blackouttuesday I have a very small platform and

#blackouttuesday
I have a very small platform and I honestly don’t think any of you truly care what I have to say about Black Lives Matter, but if you’re still reading, Here is what I’ll say. I believe that black lives matter. I know there has been systemic oppression and racisms baked into our democratic republic. Like all white people, you don’t need to hear my voice, we need to hear the voices of our black friends elevated. I do not believe that the quantity of posts equals quality. I want to BE helpful, I don’t just want to LOOK helpful. I am not posting this to virtue signal that I’m the ‘right kind’ of white person, there’s no such thing. I am here to listen, to help, and to offer peace where I am able. If you are black, and need help, or if you are a black artist specifically (since that is my niche, and can be most helpful there) please reach out to me so I can elevate your voice if I am able.