Artist returns to his roots

Local artist Jon Olson and his wife, Natalie, recently embarked on a 5,200-mile road trip and pilgrimage to his roots in Wisconsin.

One of the primary goals of the trip was for Olson to donated 28 of his maritime paintings to the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay, Wisc.

Over the past 40 years, Olson has completed this body of work reflecting his love of Great Lakes maritime history, especially the area where his family lived and spent many summers on the water near Sturgeon Bay.

The museum was thrilled with the donation with the hopes that at some point Olson’s work will be exhibited.

While in Door County, the Olsons visited with master artist James Ingwersen at his gallery and studio. In the 70s, Ingwersen held open studio in his barn, providing a live model. Olson and his mother would attend these sessions. Olson credits these sessions with motivating him to take his painting more seriously.

Jon Olson’s work can be seen locally at the Mountain Arts Network gallery in Lake Arrowhead Village.