"Art's greatest purpose is just to make us happy." Greg Olsen
See Greg Olsen's full gallery of art
"Rays of light stream down from the windows of heaven, warming the forest floor below. They rest upon one's being and take away the chill of darker hours. It is in quiet places and in simple ways that heaven's veil is parted for those who knock upon its door." ~~Greg Olsen on the Sacred Grove painting~~
Gospel Art Studies: Greg Olsen
An Art Study by Karen Rackliffe, artist and author of Wild Days
Olsen art in the Gospel Art Picture Kit
Olsen art in the Ensign Magazine
Example Picture Study: an adult narration
Art in the 2000 Olsen Calendar
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More information can be found at the World Wide Art web site.
There are also books and videos which feature Greg Olsen's popular art. The book Expressions of Faith: Art by Greg Olsen is a collection of thoughts and poems illuminated by Greg Olsen images. Watch for his luminous style. We will see more from this young and successful artist.
Gospel Art Picture Kit, Key Scriptures, and Music from the LDS Hymnal and the Children's Songbook
Greg Olsen has two pictures in the Gospel Art Picture Kit: #215, Jesus Blessing Jairus's Daughter, and #326, The Bible and the Book of Mormon: Two Witnesses.
#215 Jesus Blessing Jairus's Daughter. Matthew 9:18-19, 23-25; Mark 5:22-24, 35-43; Luke 8:41-42, 49-56.
"Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him saying, fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway." Luke 8:50-55
Hymn #134 "I Believe in Christ"
Children's Songbook p.56 "I Think When I Read That Sweet Story"
#326 The Bible and the Book of Mormon: Two Witnesses. Ezekiel 37:16-19; 1 Nephi 13:23-42; 2 Nephi 3:12; Doctrine and Covenants 21:1; 27:5.
"And they shall come according to the words which shall be established by the mouth of the Lamb; and the words of the Lamb shall be made known in the records of thy seed, as well as in the records of the twelve apostles of the Lamb; wherefore they both shall be established in one; for there is one God and one Shepherd over all the earth. And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all nations, both unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles; and after he has manifested himself unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto the Gentiles and also unto the Jews, and the last shall be first, and the first shall be last." 1 Nephi 13:41-41
Hymn #264, "Hark, All Ye Nations"
Children's Songbook p. 16, "Children All Over the World"
While only two of Greg Olsen's prints are in the current Gospel Art Picture Kit, it is not hard to find more elsewhere. Probably the easiest way to acquire several prints at once is to purchase one of his calendars. He has been producing these for at least the last three years.
Some of his popular calendar prints are:
1999 "Light to the Gentiles," also called "Simeon Reverencing the Christ Child". See Luke 2:22-35.
"Then he took him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him." Luke 2:28-33
"I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and
will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for
a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; to
open the blind eyes, to bring the prisoners from the
prison,, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison
house." Isaiah 42:6-7.
Hymn # 201, "Joy to the World"
Children's Songbook p. 34, "He Sent His Son"
Children's Songbook p. 47, "Sleep Little Jesus"
1999 & 2000 "In His Constant Care" (Christ reaching out to sparrows) also called "All Things Were Made by Him". See Luke 12:6-7; John 4:1-4, 10, 14; Matthew 6:33.
"Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten of God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." Luke 12:6-7
"All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men." St. John 1:3-4Hymn #62, "All Creatures of Our God and King"
Hymn #87, "God is Love"
Hymn #86, "How Great Thou Art"
Children's Songbook p. 229, "God is Watching Over All"
1999 & 2000 "The Good Shepherd" (Christ sitting with sheep). See John 10:11-29; Psalm 23.
"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."John 10:11
"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine." John 10:14"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27
Hymn #108, "The Lord is My Shepherd"
Hymn #109, "The Lord My Pasture will Prepare"
1999, 2000 & 2001 "Lost No More" (seated Christ with lamb). See Luke 15:4-7; John 10:27; Isaiah 40:11.
"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?. . . And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." Luke 15:4-7
"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." Isaiah 40:11
Hymn #221, "Dear To the Heart of the Shepard"
Children's Songbook p. 58, "Little Lambs So White and Fair"
1999, 2000 & 2001"Alpha and Omega" (detail of Christ seated on a hill). See Revelations 1:8; Revelation 22:13.
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." Revelation 22:13
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which is to come, the Almighty." Revelations 1:8Hymn # 59, "Come, O Thou King of Kings"
Children's Songbook p. 62, "Beautiful Savior" Crusader's hymn
1999, 2000 & 2001 "Be Not Afraid" (helping child climb through a rocky river). See Isaiah 41; 43; 61:2.
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. . . .For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." Isaiah 41:10, 13
"When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour. . . since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee." Isaiah 43:2-4Hymn #85, "How Firm a Foundation"
Hymn #166, "Abide With Me"
Children's Songbook p. 236, "Give Said the Little Stream"
2000 & 2001 "Precious in His Sight" (pointing out a butterfly to a child). See Genesis 1; Ecclesiastes 3.11.
"Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms." Mark 10:15-16
"All things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them." Moses 1:35"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." Doctrine and Covenants 18:10
Hymn #92, "For the Beauty of the Earth"
Children's Songbook p. 228, "My Heavenly Father Loves Me"
2000 & 2001 "O Jerusalem" (seated Christ overlooking Jerusalem). See Isaiah 52:1-2; Matthew 23:37-39; Matthew 5:14-16. It is interesting to study all the references to the city of Jerusalem in the Bible, to understand the special feeling that Christ has for that city.
"Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city." Isaiah 51:1
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a he gathereth her chickens under her wings and ye would not!" Matthew 23:37-39"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they man see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16
Hymn #41, "Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise"
Hymn #45, "Lead Me into Life Eternal"
2000 & 2001 "In Remembrance of Me" (last supper). See Matthew 26:26-30; 3 Nephi 18:1-12.
"And this shall ye do in remembrance of my body, which I have shown unto you. And it shall be a testimony unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my spirit to be with you." "And this shall ye always do to those who repent and are baptized in my name; and ye shall do it in remembrance of my blood, which I have shed for you, that ye may witness unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you." 3 Nephi 18:7,11
Hymn #169, "As Now We Take the Sacrament"
Children's Songbook p. 72, "The Sacrament"
2000 "The Light of the World". See Mosiah 16:9; 3 Nephi 9:18.
"He is the light and life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death." Mosiah 16:9
Hymn #89, "The Lord is My Light"
2001 "Children of the World" (smiling Christ with children from many nations in traditional dress). See Matthew 19:14; 3 Nephi 17:11-25; 3 Nephi 26:14.
"But Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence." Matthew 19:14-15
"The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works." Psalms 145:9Hymn #299, "Children of Our Heavenly Father"
Hymn #301, "I Am a Child of God"
Children's Songbook p. 229, "God is Watching Over All"
These
popular Greg Olsen paintings may also be found on the
Ensign cover pages:
January 1999 Ensign, front cover: "The Light of the World". Note the picture on the inside front cover with the same title, by a different artist. Compare what each picture is saying about the metaphor. See Mosiah 16:9; 3 Nephi 9:18.
"He is the light and life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death." Mosiah 16:9
Hymn #89, "The Lord is My Light"
July 1999 Ensign back cover (small): "Sacred Grove," also on front and back cover (large) of May 1992. See Joseph Smith- History 1:7-20, 25; James 1:5.
"When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other- This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" Joseph Smith- History 1:17
Hymn #26, "Joseph Smith's First Prayer"
Children's Songbook p. 87, "The Sacred Grove"
Children's Songbook p. 88, "On a Golden Springtime"
Children's Songbook p. 76, "This Is My Beloved Son"
August 1999 Ensign: "Power of My Spirit"
May 1998 Ensign: "Lost No More"
September 1997 Ensign inside front cover: "Winter Quarters". See Doctrine and Covenants 136 (any verse in this chapter would make good copy or memory work).
Hymn #129, "Where Can I Turn for Peace?"
Hymn #122, "Though Deepening Trials"
November 1996 Ensign front cover: "The Good Shepherd"
October 1996 Ensign (small) inside front cover: "Gentle Healer" (use "Alpha and Omega").
November 1995 Ensign front cover: "O Jerusalem"
1993 May 1991 Ensign: "Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail". See Doctrine and Covenants 121-122. Some other scriptures are:
"My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shall triumph over all thy foes." Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-8
"Hence many are called, but few are chosen." Doctrine and Covenants 121:40"No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and be love unfeigned; by kindness and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guild- reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy; that he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death. Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. The Holy Ghost shall be thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever." Doctrine and Covenants 121:41-46
"And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he? Doctrine and Covenants 122:7
Hymn #244, "Come Along, Come Along"
Hymn #320, "The Priesthood of Our Lord"
Hymn #131, "More Holiness Give Me"
Children's Songbook p. 78, "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus"
January 1992 Ensign: "Lehi's Dream". See 1 Nephi 8:10,19, 23-24, 26.
"And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy." 1 Nephi 8:10
Hymn #274, "The Iron Rod"
March 1992 Ensign back inside cover: "The Sower"and "The Harvester". See John 4:35-36.
"Say not ye, there are four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes. And look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together."John 4:35-36
Hymn #216, "We Are Sowing"
November 1992 Ensign front cover: "All Things Were Made By Him". (See "In His Constant Care").
April 90 Ensign: "Joseph Smith's First Vision" (see "Sacred Grove").
April 1987 Ensign front cover: "Jesus in the Synagogue at Nazareth". See Luke 4:16-22.
"This day is scripture fulfilled in your ears."Luke 4:21
Hymn #277, "As I Search the Holy Scriptures"
April 1987 Ensign inside front cover: "Portrait of the Savior" (looking forward in a white robe).
December 1987 Ensign: "Simeon Reverencing the Christ Child"
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by Karen Rackliffe (an adult narration)
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Copyright 2001 School of Abraham. All rights reserved.
