

Karl Richard Olsen
Philadelphia, PA
About the Artist
Karl left home and school as a teenager and explored the country for several years. He graduating from The University of the Arts in the mid 80's and began working as an Industrial Designer in Philadelphia. He discovered that drawing, model making and hands-on material interaction was a natural fit. Later, blacksmithing and woodworking became the stepping stone from an office environment to his own studio which he designed and built. Working as a craft artist for years then became the precursor to the fine arts, mainly painting, drawing, and more recently sculpture.
Karl's personal need t…
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Join NowAbout the Artist
Karl left home and school as a teenager and explored the country for several years. He graduating from The University of the Arts in the mid 80's and began working as an Industrial Designer in Philadelphia. He discovered that drawing, model making and hands-on material interaction was a natural fit. Later, blacksmithing and woodworking became the stepping stone from an office environment to his own studio which he designed and built. Working as a craft artist for years then became the precursor to the fine arts, mainly painting, drawing, and more recently sculpture.
Karl's personal need to search for his own visual language is very strong. His life experiences and observations of the connections between people places and things are are all the motivation needed to start a conversation with the materials. Karl believes the challenge for an artist is to find honesty in the work. The goal: To create a visually engaging piece.
Artist’s Work







Painting (Black and White)
Painting (Color)













Drawing (Black and White)











Drawing (Color)





Selected Exhibitions
- Solo Show, "Physical Calligraphy"
Le Cochon Noir - Philadelphia, PA, 2012 - "MakeMeCrazy,MakeMeThink"
Infinite Inch Gallery - Philadelphia, PA, 2011 - Solo Show,"Hanging by a Thread"
Java Coffee Company - Philadelphia, PA, 2011 - "MakeMeCrazy,MakeMeThink"
Pagus Gallery - Norristown, PA , 2010 - National Figurative Drawing and Painting Exhibition, .
Lore Degenstein Gallery, Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove,PA, 2009
Press and Accolades
- 1st Place, Juried Exhibition, The Plastic Club, Philadelphia, PA
June, 2016 - First Place, Jurors Choice," Fall Juried Exhibition, Montgomery County Guild of Professional Artists (MCGOPA) , Conshohocken, Pa
Summer, 2009 - "Best Use of Materials," Juried Exhibition Grow Show, Off the Wall Gallery,Philadelphia, PA
Fall 2008
Education
- The University of the Arts, Industrial Design
Philadelphia,PA,1986