Biography
Abby Olsen is a fine artist whose drawings and paintings honor naturalist imagery through repetition and thoughtful color palettes. Currently based in Austin, Texas, she is working on an upcoming collection showcasing the flora and fauna of the northern woods of Michigan, where she grew up.
She graduated from the University of Michigan’s Stamps School of Art & Design with a bachelor’s of fine arts. While studying there, she focused on textile design, traditional oil painting, and mastering drawing.
Her illustrative work and pattern designs for Bond & Grace publishing are featured in the Secret Garden Art Novel, the Alice in Wonderland Art Novel which won a 2025 Merit Honor award from the Art Director’s Club in New York City, and the Frankenstein Art Novel which won the 2024 Independent Publisher Book Award for Outstanding Design.
About Me
My artistic practice expresses my reverence for nature through elevated composition that echoes the symmetry and ornament of religious altars. Deliberate repetition and decorative elements in my work are inspired by embroidery and textile design, disciplines that have been practiced predominantly by women for centuries. My art pays homage to these (often overlooked) contributions to art and design history.
My tendency toward experimentation and chagrin for monotony makes my body of work, much like nature, ever changing and diverse. Though eclectic, my art shows mastery of several traditional artistic disciplines; among them are gouache and oil painting, drawing, and color theory.
Since graduating from the University of Michigan Stamps School of Art & Design, I have been able to illustrate and design bespoke patterns for three Art Novels with Bond & Grace, a women owned publishing company.
In addition to illustrating, I have worked as an interior designer and a private studio art teacher.
Background
I grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan, always outside in our overgrown backyard climbing our mulberry tree or at the beach swimming. The bigger the waves the better.
While away at U of M, in addition to art school I pursued my love of music extracurricularly- I was in the marching band as a piccolo player, & sang in and music directed an a cappella group.
These days, my down time consists of hanging out with my beloved cat Bailey, dog Gemma and partner Joey, thrifting, and singing.