Chicago and New York based contemporary abstract artist Susan Olmetti
debut's the Jonah Series of oil paintings on
susanolmetti.com.
- When adversity strikes, many people flounder or drown in a tsunami of
emotion, and others such as internationally acclaimed contemporary
abstract artist Susan Olmetti are buoyed by channeling personal tenacity
against struggle into vivid creations, such as in Olmetti's Jonah Series.
Olmetti has adopted over time, based on the ripples and riptides in her
life, a "You can't hurt what you can't touch ( my heart )" attitude,
although she struggles with maintaining this protective barrier in
interactions with people close to her and questions whether it is the
"right" stance.
Consumed by her thoughts, she contemplates in her recent series in a
spiritual way how Jonah, issued a task to share a message from God, is
swallowed by a whale and how Jonah was given a second chance after three
days in the whale's belly. Her strokes manifest an intricate, frenetic
energy and compelling valiancy against other-imposed afflictions.
The painter acknowledges that God forgave Jonah, and from her perspective,
"It takes a lot to forgive people." As if sharing a personal secret with
Jonah, Olmetti finds herself uttering the words, "Not today, Jonah," when
she feels herself being pulled under by others around her "you would
prefer to say goodbye to and have to let go of, because people don't
change."
In The Jonah Series, Olmetti has created five pieces, with the largest
rendition using less defined strokes, to indicate and acknowledge the
strength of Jonah in surviving the challenge to his spirit. According to
the contemporary abstract artist, she knows what she's going to do when
setting out her canvas and paints, and she's created the visual treasures
and the number of pieces as she feels directed by God.
Living her "life by design," Olmetti designs her exterior - which she is
known to share both unadorned and adorned by rainbows of color in
photographic nudes, while preserving her interior - surrounding herself by
people and situations that are "right." In seeking to publicize her recent
art show to an audience of hundreds at New York's Hotel Chelsea - the
center of the art world, Olmetti met and worked with a copywriter who she
feels intimately understands Olmetti's tumultuous path because of the
writer's own life journey. Olmetti has chosen to dedicate The Jonah Series
to the writer as an expression of her deep thankfulness and
acknowledgement of the kindred creative skill.
In addition to future shows, Olmetti will undertake the writing of her
autobiography in consultation with the copywriter, with publication
expected in Summer 2010.
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