We recently connected with Greta Olson and have shared our conversation below.
Greta, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Five years ago, when I was filling out college applications, one question always gave me a sinking feeling: “When did you start making art?” I started pursuing visual art in my sophomore year of high school. The age of 15 is very young when I look back, but at the time I already felt like I was behind. Arriving at art school was another shock. I was surrounded by thousands of artists who had gone to magnet art schools and I felt as though they were years ahead of me in skill – and they were. I was preoccupied with catching up and overthinking every brush stroke I made. Every mistake felt devastating, and aiming for perfection left me feeling stuck.
Four years have passed since then, and I graduated from college this year. My younger self might be shocked when I say my degree isn’t what makes me feel worthy of my craft, and four years at art school didn’t rid me of my imposter syndrome. The idea of higher education can draw in new students with the idea of becoming a genius that will fit in anywhere and have the rest of their life set out for them. But that isn’t the case, not with art school anyway.
The value I’ve found in my art education comes down to community. Being surrounded by students and teachers from all over the world who see art in ways I’d never considered before, opened a whole new level of consciousness about my own work. Artists are constantly reinventing, and being among creatives is like witnessing art history in the making. In art school, I was surrounded by new art movements at their very beginnings and the creative innovation that breeds everything new and exciting. I learned to be brave, take risks, and embrace passion above all.
The best lessons I learned were through sharing the experience of creating with other artists. Every success was celebrated and failures didn’t have to be faced alone. Witnessing each other’s creative journeys in school was full of laughs, messy nights sleeping on the floor of our studios, frustrated tears, and those long awaited breakthroughs. Experiencing those complex emotions as a creator can be scary, but seeing that everyone else goes through that same thing makes me feel proud to be an artist. We are constantly pushing against the grain, taking risks and proving to ourselves that we can do it time and time again.
I still sometimes feel like an imposter when things go wrong, and those comparative thoughts can feel crushing. Beyond just ourselves, a capitalist environment can make us artists feel like imposters for making our own rules and following our dreams. When those thoughts emerge, I think of all of the amazing artists that feel the same, but create anyway. I think of how grateful I am that artists continue to create despite the standards we’ve been set up against, and I get back to work in solidarity with them.
I remind myself that being an artist is not about playing it safe. I am a problem-solver who breaks things apart to put them back together. I am meant to learn the lessons behind all the mistakes I’m destined to make, and showing up as I am and doing the work will always be worth it.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Greta Olson, and I am a 22 year old mosaicist and interdisciplinary artist from Chicago, Illinois. I graduated class of 2023 from Maryland Institute College of Art with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in General Fine Arts. Influenced by folk art and macabre fairy tales, my artwork is spiritual and tells stories of magic and nature. Characterized by bold interactions of color with an emphasis on form and shape, I love to enhance my work with mixed materials and textures. I describe my artistic process as playful prayer – collecting, experimenting, and discovering are driving forces in my work. By creating, I honor the connective consciousness of the natural world and the dormant power it holds. My artworks are shrines to those mysterious and magical forces.
I am currently diving deeper into my mosaic practice, primarily through outdoor murals in addition to interior works. Creating public art as a way of caring for my community is where I find my artistic purpose. We all deserve to share beautiful public spaces and surround ourselves with the healing powers of art.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
It’s okay to ask for help! Leaning into the support offered to me has introduced me to so many amazing people, and has even opened me to more opportunities that I would have never known about. I guarantee that somewhere around you is at least one person that believes in you – connecting with that person will open your world!
Replace jealousy with inspiration. Jealousy is a useful feeling when we take the time to look into what it’s communicating. I’ve found that jealousy only emerges when I don’t believe I can achieve what inspires me, which is far from the truth. By asking questions and learning from the artists I look up to, I’ve been able to make meaningful connections and work toward my own goals.
Allow time for rest. Constantly working instead of taking time to relax and observe, typically leads to excessive self judgment and even artist’s block. Rejecting the robotic mindset of production and rather acknowledging my humanity has fueled my creativity. Between writing proposals and working long hours in the studio, I always try to make room in my life for inspiration. I’ve recently been collecting beach glass and other small stones like I did as a little kid – indulging in joyful curiosity provides an endless supply of inspiration. You will be so delighted by how your life and work will change when you treat yourself like a friend.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am always overjoyed to meet new people and bring their visions to life, as well as work with other artists – If you are interested in collaborating with me, commissioning my work, or buying from my portfolio website, message me on Instagram: @Sp1derfairy or through email: [email protected] I look forward to connecting with you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gretaolson.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sp1derfairy/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greta-olson-0a56aa1a6/
- Other: [email protected]
Image Credits
Photo of Greta Olson photographed by Anderson Kennedy
