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 it's spiritual essence is evident.

All of Kristen's work reflects quality of light, nature and soul drawn from life in the West Her varied use of subject and techniques empower her paintings with a depth and sophistication that are products of an urban studio, her home in the mountains and foreign travel. She is a full-time professional artist in pastel, oil, acrylic, mixed-media and printmaking techniques, this synergistic effect of differing cultures and mediums motivates her experimental nature. She easily incorporates concepts of impressionism and abstraction into the traditional subject. The past six years have brought Kristen pastel awards in New York the West Coast, and Internationally with articles in national periodicals and magazines.

Sandi Kristen is an award-winning artist whose work has shown nationally, in over 70 one-woman and group shows and is represented in galleries, museum, corporate and private collections. By invitation of the Chinese government, she lived six weeks near the Russian- Mongolian border of China, in Xin Jiang province, lecturing, studying, and painting with Chinese artists. A most inspiring encounter!

Special Interest

• 1998 Gold Medal, 1st Place Award
• International Association of Pastel Societies Exhibition, Colorado History Museum, Denver
• 1999 "Artist's Magazine" Feature Article, May
• 1999 Colorado Artist’s Showcase July 2,3,4
• Cherry Creek Arts Festival, 210 Clayton
• 1999 International China Art Expo, Beijing, China, Sept 15-19

Organizations

• Pastel Society of America
• Pastel Society of Oregon
• Degas Pastel Society
• Knickerbocker Artists
• Northwest Pastel Society
• Allied Artists of America
• Pastel Society of Southwest
• Pastel Society of Colorado
• Art Students League Denver
• Pastel Society of the S.W.
• International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS)

Publications

• "Art Times", New York, Feature
• "Art Show News", Feature Article
• "Artist's of the Rocky Mtns." Vol. I
• "S.W. Art Mag.," Artist Registry
• "Colorado Homes and Lifestyles"
• "Rocky Mountain News", 1998
• "Sol de News Denver" Feature
• "Promo" Magazine 1998
• “DenverPost Scene” Aug 99
• “Artist’s Magazine” 1999

Awards and Exhibitions

• 1996 Salmagundi Club, NY, National Juried Show, Award
• 1996 Pastel Society of Oregon, National First Place Award
• 1996 Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, NY, Annual Juried
• "Art Times" Magazine Award
• 1995 Pastel Society of America 23th Annual Juried Open, NY
• Strueken-Bachmann Award
• 1996 Degas Pastel Society Annual New Orleans Award
• 1996 Scottsdale's Best and Brightest, Award, Scottsdale, Ariz
• 1997 Salmagundi Club, N.Y. National, Savoire Faire Award
• 1997 Glenwood Springs, Colo. Arts Festival Grand Champion
• 1997 International Assoc. of Pastel Societies Exhibition K C
• 1998 Rocky Mountain PBS Channel 6, Poster
• 1998 Salmagundi Club Annual, NY Yarka Award
• 1998 "Artist's Magazine" National finalist "Best of Art 1998"
• 1998 Pastel Society of America 26th, NY “Best Small Painting"
• Marie Devour Memorial Award
• 1999 Gilpen County Arts Festival Mountain Times Award
• 1999 Pastel Society of America 27th Annual Juried Open, NY
• 1999 Foothills Art Center, Golden Colorado Open Exhibit