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The Milk House Replica Painting on Canvas 

This is not an ordinary print. It's a Replica of the original oil painting recreated digitally on stretched canvas. It's ehnanced with brush strokes applied and authenticated by the artist, himself.

The landmark Milk House evokes many fond memories spanning generations of Dubuquers.

Located on South Grandview Avenue in Dubuque, Iowa is this unique old buildikng called the Milk House It is an architectural landmark, combining elements of 19th Century Victorian and American Gothic styles; the balcony and tall chimney, steeply peaked roof, arched windows, the red brick and stone brackets that flank the big storefront window and both doorways.

This building was designed primarily as a way station or trolley stop complete with a counter from which refreshments were served. In the building was the control mechanism that actuated the cable car turntable in the street in front of the Milk House.

This is a 19th Century architectural treasure. I took some artistic license and painted in features that are no longer part of the Milk House but hopefully will be restored if the owners choose to return the building to its former glory. 


The Milk House is mounted on quality Stretched Canvas.

$175 price includes framing and shipping  

It's an iconic landmark on South Grandview Avenue in Dubuque, Iowa. It's had different names through the years, Sullivan's, for example, but most generations knew it best as the Milk House. Most Dubuquers remember it as a candy store, icecream shop, and in recent years a bakery, sandwich shop and now a restaurant.

With two elementary schools nearby, Bryant and St. Columbkille, it was a haven for children who walked back and forth to school. "I used to buy 'Cherry Barrels' at Sullivan's," said Tori Richter who lived nearby, "and I would tell the teachers at St. Columbkille that I was sucking on cough drops. Like they didn't know better! We thought we were so smart."

 This is It's a 19th Century architectural treasure. I took some artistic license and painted in features that are no longer part of the Milk House but hopefully will be restored as the current new owners return the building to its former glory. The Milk House is mounted on quality Stretched Canvas $175 price includes frame and shipping  - Paypal accepts popular credit cards and  is the safest, easiest way to pay online!

 

Gary Paints Pet Portraits! See a demonstration...

Gary with one of his subjects, Daisy, in his studio. "This was my first portrait in this series, explains Gary. I decided I would video the entire painting procedure and make it available for fans, friends and aspiring artists. Meanwhile, I texted the link to the completed video to my neighbor as a way to surprise her and her family on Mother's Day. Everyone was in the family car after buying groceries when they received the text, and they watched the whole thing in the parking lot."

I thoroughly enjoy sketching with paint brush. That is I view a scene or compositional element through a grid much like the great painters of generations ago. Grids have been used for centuries to scale small images up to often immense proportions. I have a marvelous tool on my smartphone called Artist's Grid. I import an image from among my photos and it puts a custom grid over it. I then replicate the dimensions of the grid on a canvas. So I start painting without a pencil sketch or any marks on the canvas other than the grid as my guide.

So I had this opportunity to paint a portrait of my neighbor's dog, Daisy. My neighbor sent me a charming photo of the dog (knowing how much I love dogs and Daisy in particular), and I had to do a portrait.

Painting Demonstration Videos

This is Daisy. See her portrait Painting demonstration on YouTube

This is Rolo

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 This is Charlie

 

Plein Air Painting Julien Dubuque Monument on the Mississippi River

This is one of most picturesque spots along the Mississippi River bluffs at Dubuque, Iowa. Just south of the city and the junction of the river and Catfish Creek is a high bluff upon which sits Julien Dubuque's Monument. It was built to mark the final resting place of the French Canadian who boldly crossed the river between Illinois and the Iowa territory, befriended the Maskwaki Indians that lived there and asked permission to mine the lead that was found among the limestone outcroppings, caves, and from hand-shoveled holes in the ground, many of which can still be seen in the area today. The year he arrived was 1796.

In those days lead was in serious demand for the crafting of shot. Legend has it Dubuque took a wife from the tribe. Her name was Potosa. Imagine my shock when I discovered what was labeled "Potosa's Skull and Bones" in a drawer of an antique oak bookcase I purchased from the Dubuque Historical Society in 1973.

The bookcase was among a basement full of old furniture, moth-eaten taxidermy specimens and in particular Indian artifacts belonging to the Dubuque Historical Society. The basement was in the historic Ham House, itself a museum near Eagle Point Park. Many of the Indian artifacts I saw were from the defunct Herman Museum the Society had acquired. My wife, Linda, and I were Historical Society members at the time.

I carefully removed Potosa's remains from the bookcase and put them in a box. I'm pleased to report that they are now interred in their own vault and monument nearby Julien's grave and impressive landmark. Potosa's grave was finally constructed 100 years after Julien Dubuque's monument and its completion was celebrated with an authentic Native American ceremony honoring her spirit. The ceremony was conducted by decendants of Maskwaki Indians who came up from their reservation in Tama, Iowa and was attended by Dubuque civic leaders and members of the Historical Society. Julien Dubuque's wife, Potosa, was finally given a proper burial. To the best of our knowledge, none of this history of Julien Dubuque and his involvement with Potosa can be substatiated as hard fact, but still it's a great story as legends often are. Suffice to say there are two bodies buried in this sacred ground, and one is a French Canadian male and the other a Native American female.

On the day I painted this scene, there was an almost continuous parade of visitors, young and old couples, a Loras College history class, hikers, and tourists visiting the monument and taking in the view. I had quite an audience as I hurried trying to capture the light and shadows cast upon the path to the monument.

Julien Dubuque Monument Print on Canvas

12x16 inches unframed


$75.00 price includes shipping!

I included the figures of a couple who helped me carry my equipment back to the car so I could make my deadline for the “Quick Paint” competition in which I was entered. I had three hours to paint this scene and I barely made the deadline.

I didn't win anything for my effort. Admittedly my painting was unfinished but I vowed to finish the canvas in my studio, and I'm quite proud of the final piece. Oh, and I still have that bookcase. It’s in my studio. Sometimes when I’m painting late at night, I hear scratching coming from the bottom drawer. Then I hear the SNAP of the mousetrap.

Julien Dubuque's Monument is a very popular spot perhaps more for the view than its local historical significance. It's now part of a larger park called the Mines of Spain. Iowa was first Spanish territory, then French Louisiana Territory. In 1796, the Meskwaki village was nearby this monument and indeed, Julien Dubuque is buried beneath it.

The Meskwakies originally brought his body to this location, his resting place marked by a structure made of logs. By the 1890's local businessmen gathered to construct what they considered to be a proper burial chamber. Julien Dubuque's skull was carefully photographed before he was re-buried, the picture would be used a century later, and with the aid of a computer, a forensics specialist will recreate the face and profile of what Julien Dubuque must have looked like. A monument was built of native limestone blocks. The structure resembled a giant chess piece. These memories were in my head as I set up my easel next to Potosa's grave on the path to Julien’s monument.

It was October around 9 AM when I began painting this scene for the Dubuque Bluff Strokes Plein Air Paint Out, an annual event that attracts artists who love to paint outdoors from around the nation and in fact, the world.

Plein Air Painting The Heritage Trail #2, a long and winding road
The Heritage Trail #2 print is available now faithfully printed on artist's canvas, rolled and packaged in a sturdy tube and shipped (free) to you ready to take to your framer. The painting above was just completed. I painted it on the Heritage Trail, a "Rails-to-Trails" recreation area that was a former railroad track that traversed Dubuque County, continued on through Illinois, and connecting Dubuque with the Chicago market. It's one of the most picturesque trails in the Midwest. I helped in the effort to raise funds for the trail 40 years ago working with volunteers who petitioned for state and county funds to establish the trail which connects Dubuque's trail network with Dyersville, Iowa 30 miles to the west. The entire trail follows the Little Maquoketa River which I depicted in this painting.

Heritage Trail #2 Print on Canvas. 18x24 inches unframed

$110 price includes shipping

My artistic endeavors are navigating an exciting and inspirational road. Many years ago when I was just starting my career, I used to sketch and paint outdoors doing what is called "plein air" among enthusiasts of the art form. My desire is to return to this method of painting especially since I have more time for it and I don't have to worry about making a living. My painting technique, command of materials and several paintings I've already created outdoors have proven I'm "road worthy." Painting outdoors is envigorating. However, it's fraught with perils. Sometimes nothing turns out as intended, but often I am surprised by my results. For the last nearly 30 years, I've had this 800 square foot art studio where everything is at my fingertips and I don't have to continuously setup or teardown every time I want to paint. Painting with logistical considerations has it's own challenges but also opportunities.

So I joined the throng of 60 painters that decended upon my home town sponsored by a great local organization called Bluff Strokes Dubuque, Iowa with the purpose of capturing Dubuque and environs at the height of the fall season. The leaves were just turning colors. Plein air, as I soon discovered, is a large and enthusiastic art movement world wide. No cameras, no working from photos, and working with light that lasts maybe two hours in which you must capture your composition quickly. I've actually worked without a sketch entirely to save time and save the moment. It's so much fun that I've created a portable studio that I can transport on my recumbent tricycle and literally hit the road.

The Rhomberg Avenue Bridge

We have this amazing park in my town (Dubuque, Iowa) that began as a flood mitigation project. For years the eventuality of torrential rains would flood basements and inundate homes in this area which was a creek before it was a storm sewer. City planners asked themselves, "Why not reclaim the land, restore the creek which would be easier to manage?" And so houses were purchased and razed, land terraced and bridges built over the creek. Upsteam, a flood control mechanism handles seasonal runnoff and excessive rains. Along the bank of the creek is a continuation of the Heritage Trail, a hiking and biking trail that connects a larger network of city trails and extends all the way to Dyersville, Iowa. I was impressed with this magnificent bridge structure as it completely redefines the neighborhood of 100 year-old homes, beautiful churches and businesses. It is a civic project to be proud of.

I painted this view of one of the pictureque bridges. An instant landmark. A bicyclist can be seen in the lower right-hand corner. The print measures 28x14 inches on quality canvas, the image is enhanced by hand applied brush strokes. -Gary Olsen

The Rhomberg Avenue Bridge Print 28x14 inches on canvas.

$110 includes shipping

The Galena Cityscape
We hope you will enjoy this video demonstration by Gary Olsen captured in his studio featuring his work on this Galena Cityscape. The painting, originally commissioned by Melissa Klein and family of Dubuque, Iowa, is an oil on canvas. It captures the panoramic view of Galena, Illinois from Grant Park. This painting celebrates the day Melissa's husband proposed to her. "How could I not be enthusiastic about this painting?" explains Gary. "I was swept up in the whole project! I've always wanted to do a Galena scene," Gary explains further, "that would compliment my approach to landscape painting. My friend and Galena painter, Carl Johnson, made his career as a painter of Galena scenes. He was an important influence and inspiration in my own career. This is more or less my tribute to his incredible legacy and the example he made of himself and his iconic works of art."
Click on the image above to reveal more detail in your browser. Printed on quality canvas, the color and detail of the print compared to the original are nearly indistinguishable. Your print arrives in a sturdy mailing tube ready for framing. Since this is an enhanced canvas print complete with textured brush strokes, it's recommended you don't matte or use glass.It's not necessary. Frame it like an oil painting which is not only appropriate but representst a significant cost savings. Your framer can provide countless options. This way you become part of the creative process in the mounting and display of your print.

Galena Cityscape Print on Canvas approximately 28x14 inches

$125 includes shipping


The America's River Art Project for the Dubuque Rotary Club

Gary Olsen has produced a video on the creation of a painting commissioned by the Dubuque Rotary Club celebrating its 100th Anniversary and the 15th Anniversary of its commitment to the America's River Project.

The massive original painting was unveiled to the public on Wednesday, October 12th, 2017.

Jerry Enzler

With the Rotary Club's enthusiastic support, the idea grew to become one of the most ambitious civic improvement projects in the Rotary Club's history. This early Rotary Club support for the project signaled the beginning of broad community buy-in as funds from several more sources grew to more than $40 million. The project serves as an example of what a community can do when it's truly inspired and its leaders and creative thinkers begin collaborating and working together. America's River Project began as a visionary initiative to improve our city's riverfront which had been largely industrial for generations. Two Rotarians, Wayne Norman and Jerry Enzler, crafted the idea for a revitalization project based on the success of Mystic Seaport, the popular and historic tourist destination in Mystic, Connecticut, and pitched it to the members.

Gary Olsen, an artist for nearly 50 years in Dubuque, is well known for his landscapes and cityscapes of Dubuque, Iowa and its surrounding countryside. Gary witnessed the evolution of Dubuque's riverfront that changed Dubuque's skyline forever.

The America's River Project Commemorative Print (on archival paper) approx. 24x42 inches

$50 includes shipping

 

His celebratory painting features how much Dubuque's "front yard" has changed. Limited edition prints of the paintinsigned and numbered by the artist, are available at Creative Touch Gallery on Hillcrest Rd. and Frame of Mind at Plaza 20. Also they are available directly from the artist by clicking on the Order Button below. Funds raised by the sale of these prints will benefit local Rotary Club Humanitarian Grants that are awarded non-profit organizations dedicated to improving the lives of others and making Dubuque a great place to live and raise families.

The Cy Ferring Murals
Artist Cy P. Ferring

I was working for the Dubuque Community Schools when I had the opportunity to take a walk through Senior High School with a teacher friend of mine scouting locations for a video project I was assigned to do. I walked into the school auditorium and much to my amazement I found myself staring at a fairly intact theater space that was built in the Arts and Crafts Style (sometimes referred to or confused with Mission Style) of the early 20th Century, and I was stunned. Sadly the balcony was walled off for classroom space, and the once decorative brass light fixtures were gone, replaced by the ugliest fluorescent light boxes. The dark wood walls were still in good shape but not good repair, and the seating was threadbare but could be restored. What was amazingly still intact but suffering years of neglect were the Cy Ferring Murals. I was thrilled! I remembered seeing them when I was in my 20s and marveling at their detail and sweeping composition. I knew little of Cy Ferring, but I finally did some research. It's a long but exciting story from that time in the 1960s when i first laid eyes on the murals to today. Learn more by visiting my special web page dedicated to the memory of this amazing work and the Dubuque artist behind it, Cy P. Ferring.

© Gary Olsen 2021 all rights reserved. All graphics and copy in this Web site are the intellectual property of Gary Olsen and/or his clients' property, used with permission, and cannot be used for any purpose without permission. Address correspondence to olsega1992@gmail.com