California Coast II by Peggy Olsen

This is a beautiful painting titled California Coast II by California Plein Air artist Peggy Olsen. It is an oil on watercolor paper, a medium that Olsen preferred (a description of the technique is provided on the verso). While created later, it uses all of the techniques of the California impressionists and plein air school. It depicts one of the most popular subjects, the rugged coastline around Monterey, California. The artist captures the mood of the area, with diffused light encountered so frequently due to the marine layer along the coast. This piece was submitted to the Carmel Art Association in 1990. The piece is in superb condition. The colors are bright without fading. No damage is evident (it has not been examined out of the frame). It was framed by the artist using her preferred materials. Olsen's work is highly sought after particularly her coastal scenes of which this is an excellent example.

Peggy Olsen (1937 - 2022 ) came to painting later in life. Born in New York, she moved to Pomona, California where she received her B. A. She returned to New York to get a Masters in Social Work. She returned to California and settled in the Monterey area. She was active in local artist associations and had several one person shows in Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel, Seaside, and Oakland. Her work won awards at the Central Coast Art Association competitions. She describes her approach to painting as, "I am in love with color and strive to make my use of color more and more effective. Being willing to take risks and being unrestricted and at the same time being knowledgeable of theory and striving to train one's eye - these are things I consider important and I work towards achieving."