Downtime Interview w/ Bryan Olson

Artist workspace

1) Location?

Portland, OR USA 🇺🇸

2) Years collaging? 

10 years.

3) What do you love and hate about collage?  

I love the spontaneity that occurs during the creative process of collage. I hate when I butcher a choice asset with my terrible cutting skills.

4) Biggest influences? 

As of late and longterm:
1) Kazamasa Nagai
2) Braulio Amado
3) Robert Beatty
4) Jeffrey Meyer (Collage)
5) Mike McQuade (Collage)
6) Bailey Elder
7) Lan Truong
8) Ruff Mercy

5) Analog Vs Digital? 

Both. I work on a lot of graphics in the digital realm, especially for commission work that requires size adjustments and color revisions. I consider myself both an artist and designer so I’m constantly bouncing between both methods of collage. I will admit that I was pretty one sided and strictly “analog” only for a long time until I started getting more professional work. These days its good to be well rounded and open minded with your craft.

6) How do you spend your downtime? 

Write and record music. Clean the house or walk the dogs. Honestly, mundane things hep me reset, I enjoy those types of things in my downtime.

7) Three tips for someone starting out in collage? 

Take inspiration from other art but stay original. Work your ass off. Always try to push your creative boundaries.

8) Up and coming shows or projects we should know about? 

With the current state of things, I’m not sure when I’ll be showing work again. I do have a batch of skateboard graphics coming out this year with Primitive Skateboarding and I’m pretty excited about that.

Links:

Web: bryanolsoncollage.com
Instagram: @bryanolsoncollage
Merchandise: Society6.com/bryanolson

Artwork Credits:

Coastal Lights (2019)

Dirty Art Club (2020)

Moon Walk (2019)

Point of Entry (2019)

Quite Moments (2019)

Static Cling (2019)

Riff Raff (2019)

Only In Dreams (2019)