It’s was the best of times, it was the worst of times. If only I had penned those lines……. they describe perfectly the situation many of us are enduring right now and I’m no different.

Not surprisingly sales of my artworks have been affected by the current financial situation. I’ve been using the time to create new works of which I’m pretty pleased. Here’s one of them. Still not titled, its 120x90cm

I’m also experimenting with a large glass butterfly which is only at a very early stage right now.
It needs to be lit to enhance its beauty and that’s the challenge which will take some time.

Here’s an early image, it’s about 15” from wing tip to wing tip.

Most excitingly I’m happy to announce a tie up with Galeries Bartoux. They have many galleries located throughout France and one in Bond Street UK.
I’ve been commissioned to create 6 works, the 1st of which is now for sale in their Paris gallery. Image below (The multicoloured one)..

So it’s not all bad news.
Wishing you all the best of times to come.

My wife and I recently returned from 2 weeks in Boston & Maine in the US. We had a lovely trip but it was somewhat marred by very high temperatures in Boston making our walking tours very exhausting.

However when we moved to the seaside, it was cooler and very picturesque. We all enjoy the the pleasure of eating out but even this activity was marred because it was so expensive, even for a meagre snack.

I saw some beautiful Monarch butterflies in a small town called North Conway. Here’s one hovering outside a coffee shop.

   

Thankfully my LA client received his commission and it arrived intact. Sending fragile works over long distances requires specialist packing which I undertook to ensure that ‘Love & Hope II’ arrived safe and sound.

I’m attaching a few images that show what I’m about, art, pet, family.

Just click on the links below to download the zip files onto your desktop and double click on them to open.
Zip file 1
Zip file 2

 

Thats it followers. Until next month

I’m going through an interesting phase at present. I’m really really busy, but my bank balance is shrinking.
I know that in the fullness of time, things will improve as I have a number of commissions to complete. There are several invoices outstanding for payment and some really exciting high end orders that are waiting in the wings.

Fuller details on the latter next time. However to whet your appetite, I’m working on an exclusive range of my work which, if the early sample is successful, will make a huge difference to the reach of my audience.
Mentioned in my last Blog, the Love and Hope adaptation has been completed and is now on the way to LA. I’m such a name dropper!

Commission entitled ’Spreading Love & Hope. 100x100mm Mixed media.

What’s new?
To answer my own question, a light box. 60x60cm The almost infinite range colours can be varied using a remote control. These are just 3. I love it.

Also a new concept for me is a theme based on Her Majesty. QE II is on sale exclusively through Tanya Baxter International located in Kings Road Chelsea,
However you’ll have to go to Hong Kong to see it in the flesh as its was shipped there last week. There are a limited run of these due later in the year.

I’m considering using more laser cut outlines similar to QEII in the future. It enables me to create more defined outlines. Please watch this space…….
My wife and & I are booked on a flight to Boston shortly. I can’t say I’m very enthusiastic particularly at the notion of arriving at Heathrow to be faced with a long queue, or told that our flight is delayed, or cancelled.

Finally here’s a piece of fluorescent acrylic butterfly art. 75x75cm

‘Mellow Yellow’ Available at Lilford Gallery Canterbury

 

OMG, I’ve just checked back and it’s six months since I wrote my last blog!  Where that time has gone, I just don’t know?

It’s been a busy period for me which despite the mayhem that surrounds us all, seems to go against conventional wisdom.
I’ve been commissioned to make some amazing works one of which was 2.3 m long and here’s an image of it. Its in a home in Radlett

I’ve been trying to get to grips with social media which continues to be a mystery to me. I’ve recently spent a lot of time learning about the nitty gritty of Facebook.

It’s my attempt to improve the quality of my posts and ultimately followers & sales. It’s of great interest to me that 30% of my Google searches come from the United States.

Only last week I confirmed a commission from Los Angeles to replicate “Love and hope”.
This was a work that I created during lockdown and mirrored the NHS rainbow. Below is what it looked like and I still love it. What do you think?

Martha my Cockapoo, now 2 1/2 years old continues to be a great source of joy. Her love, licks and long walks have really enhanced my life
Surely she must win the contest for the dog with the longest eyelashes? If I’m wrong send me some of your photos

The following piece of my art probably gets the prize for taking the longest time to come to fruition.
I had the idea to create a light box two years ago and assembled all the components in early 2020.

It sat around unloved until the beginning of this year when I decided that I had to come up with something interesting and different without further shilly shallying.

I fiddled around with various ideas none of which made any sense to me. I decided in a flash of inspiration to change the colour of the backing to blue by applying adhesive film and you can see the results below which are outstanding.

Sometimes you just have to wait for inspiration. As soon as it was completed I sent it to Wyecliffe galleries in Weybridge, who sold it within a week.
This was very uplifting.

LIGHT OFF

LIGHT ON

That’s it till the next time.
Enjoy your summer
Michael

 

I drafted this blog two weeks ago before the mayhem called Omnicron arrived on our shores.

It’s scary and thats all I’ll say on the matter other than I hope that all of you keep safe and enjoy the holiday period as much as you’re able.

Perhaps in common with other creative individuals, I get inspiration from unlikely sources.

I spend a lot of time walking my Cockerpoo Martha, who you may well have been introduced to in my previous blogs. When I’m in the depths of the Surrey Hills or elsewhere in the countryside at this time of year, I’m presented with a fantastic array of autumnal colours that I’m intent on mirroring in some of my new works as part of my ’New England in the fall’ syndrome. Sadly there are no butterflies around us right now but I can still include them in my work, which I will do. A friend of mine sent me a gorgeous image of some art which now holds pride of place in her home. I immediately thought that I could create my own version using butterflies instead of paint. Here is an image of it which I will base a future work on.

The Blue Lady that I introduced you to back in May has finally been completed. It was one of those creations that really tested both my patience and whatever creativity I possess. I built it, rebuilt it, changed it again and again until I got to the point six months later where I’m really happy with the end result. Here is an image of me with the work at Wyecliffe Art Gallery in Weybridge, where it is now for sale. Here she is with me alongside.

Finally, I had an epiphany this morning! I’ve been creating butterfly art using a very similar format for the last 12 years. Whilst my work has developed and been appreciated by a growing audience, I feel the need to change direction completely. Henceforth, I will not be creating any new works in the current formats, unless commissioned. Instead I intend to create new, exciting and alternative ways of using feather butterflies. With this in mind, it’s my aim to attract a new sector of the art buying public, and my next blog may contain the currently secret designs.

Happy Christmas.

 

I continue to be busy as mentioned in my last blog. Despite the early effects of Covid dampening our spirits as well as the economy, the buying public are out there, wanting to invest in art and fortunately I’m not an exception.

I’ve been wanting to place a frame around my work for some time & I recently designed a butterfly box with a black Perspex surround fitted.

The image below illustrates the work which I think looks really smart. Quite soon it will be for sale on my website along with other new and not so new items. For more information please contact me

michael.olsen@butterflyart.co.uk

Ombre design boxes have frequently been popular and below is another that I’m particularly proud of. it will appear on my website soon and be available for sale.
For more information please contact me at michael.olsen@butterflyart.co.uk

I’ve also listed these slightly less than perfect installations.
They tend to be pieces that have been on display in galleries or handled poorly and the surfaces are marginally scratched.
I don’t sell these at full price and they appear from time to time on my online gallery at greatly reduced prices.
For more information please contact me at michael.olsen@butterflyart.co.uk

I’m happy to report that despite the governments mishandling of Covid they have successfully done their bit to help small business, and I’m no exception. In common with many other small firms, I’ve survived partially due to UK GOV grants. Most recently, and as mentioned before, I’ve taken advantage of the scheme providing jobs for 18-22 year olds where the salary of the apprentice is funded by UK GOV for 6 months. A training grant is also paid to the employer. ‘Kickstart’ have found me a very capable and talented trainee called Ben. Within the first few days of him starting work, he’s shown aptitude, common sense and keenness all of which have helped me enormously. Just getting this blog out is a tiny example of how I’ll be able to stay a step ahead instead of one pace behind. There’s a lot more to come from him too. and I hope to be able to repay him with whatever training, creativity and practicality I can offer in return.

An finally……Yes I managed to get away to Rhodes with my wife for two weeks in August. It was a delight despite the huge anxiety caused by the paperwork required, vaccinations and passenger locator forms!

Till the next time!