“Oluf” at Ethos

Washington, DC-artist Leslie M. Nolan’s “Oluf”

This highly personal artwork has just been juried into the National Exhibition “Ethos: Spirit of Community” at the Fredericksburg Center for Creative Arts Gallery. Opening on August 1, 2020, the exhibit runs through the month, featuring work juried by guest curator Carolyn Goodridge.

“Oluf,” 36×36 inches is an acrylic painting on stretched canvas completed in 2019. The artwork is a highly personal image, the imaginary visage of my great grandfather Oluf who immigrated to Montana from Norway in 1857. Having left his home due to crop failures and economic poverty, he sought a better life in the United States, and became one of the earliest pioneers in the Farmington area where he ranched and raised a family.

His story in this painting exudes the feeling of independence, resourcefulness, tenacity and daring which characterizes both strong pioneer temperament and immigrant experience.