Olson, James A.

 Jamie Olson
Anglo Artist
4/21/55

About my work, or lack of, it chose me as much as I chose it. Asked where I get my ideas, I can't really say for sure. I'm thankful I get them once in awhile, and have the basic skills to carry them through to a satisfactory condition, at that point and time. I'm blessed, I love what I do, it's a passion. When that love and passion is not there, I'll do something else. Today I live and work in Bluff, Utah, my home and shop is a 1965 Winabago trailer, 7' x 15' inside dimensions, I believe in low overhead.

I've been doing these types of pieces, I like to call wearable art, in a limited way for the last seven years, before that I mostly poured concrete and abused alcohol, I gave both up May 24th, 1994, I became a free man.

I have a passion for prehistoric peoples, especially the Anasazi, since I live and work in their historic home land. The pottery sherds, a functional art form which I incorporate into a lot of my designs are, as I like to say recycled refuse, prehistoric trash, 600 - 1,000 years old. Legally collected on private property. Most of it goes back to the earth, or we can bring some to light and enjoy.

Other materials I use have been used by prehistoric peoples for thousands of years, mostly for decorative uses. Turquoise, Jet, a carbonized wood (dense coal), Pipe stone, Mammoth Ivory not a local material but wonderful stuff. Almost alive again after 15 - 20 thousand years. These pieces are of constructed silver, sheet, wire, etc., bonded by intense heat every piece is one of a kind, in it's own right.

I'm still flattered by the fact that people pay good money for what I create, especially since it's something we don't really have to have, or thankfully, maybe we do. Thanks and enjoy!

Sincerely