#jamesoleson

Within a few blocks of such acclaimed breweries as Green Bench and Cycle, in early 2018 Florida homebrew legend Troy Bledsoe launched St. Pete’s 12th brewery, Overflow Brewing, at 1st Ave N and 8th St. Later in 2018 Overflow turned to local art icon James Oleson to add this mural. Former owner and creative director of the Bloom Art Center, Oleson is constantly drawing in his sketchbook and executing those ideas across a range painting, sculpture, and murals. Street art helps fulfill Oleson’s love of engaging with the public as his work takes viewers on “a journey of imagination and perspective that makes them feel encompassed by a different world”—and I’m told this other-worldly creation for Overflow is in 3D and you can borrow glasses from the tasting room to be fully transported.  @olesonart/  @overflowbrewingcompany/

James Oleson in Wynwood.

Born in Mexico City Delfin says she grew up with a pencil and paper in hand, helping her visualize her own world, and today her work explores expressions of beauty and femininity. Explaining her desire to have her work available to all audiences and in a wide range of settings she told Widewalls “I believe that art needs to be seen everywhere possible, to bring a white wall to life, and make a story out of it.” As part of the RAW Project at the Eneida M. Hartner Elementary School in Wynwood, Miami, Delfin was able to expand that audience to include a new generation inner city youth.  RAW (Re-imagining the Arts in Wynwood) has helped rally support for arts programming and Delfin is sure that great new artists will emerge as a result. (I’m guessing the happy purple giant in the background, from James Oleson at St. Pete’s Bloom Art Center, is a hit with the kids as well.)  @paola_delfin  @olesonart  @therawproject_  @wynwoodmurals

Well known in St. Petersburg, Florida for creating the Bloom Art Center and providing gallery and work space for artists of the region, James Oleson is an accomplished painter and sculptor represented in a number of permanent collections, and the recipient of many awards. Oleson calls himself a “modern day street alchemist” salvaging cast-off materials and “making beauty in the rubble.” While Oleson also teaches sculpture at nearby Morean Arts Center he says he is constantly drawing and many of his sculptures begin in his sketchbook. Exploring human and animal expressions to reveal magic and humor his work invites viewers on a journey of imagination. It seems only appropriate then that as visitors exit I-375 in St. Petersburg, Oleson’s prominent painting on the corner of the Bloom invites them to stop by the center and continue that journey. @olesonart @startbloomin @scenesfromthesidewalk