Faith and artistry intertwine in the work of Peter Olsen, an award-winning South Florida artist who has spent decades transforming Scripture into breathtaking visual narratives. From his “Revelation Series” to murals in churches and public art exhibits depicting the Jewish heritage of the Old Testament, his work has deeply impacted Jews and Christians alike. He has also inspired countless young artists through studio classes, as an instructor at Gateway Christian Academy, and as a former teacher at Bethany Christian School for 20 years. As Easter approaches, his art stands as a testament to the power of creativity in drawing people closer to the gospel.
A professional artist for more than 70 years, Olsen’s body of work, “Sacred Visions in Art,” includes the “Revelation Series,” a collection of colorful oil paintings in his symbolic surrealistic style reminiscent of Salvador Dalí. He has drawn more than 150 “Women of Biblical History,” painted “The Tribes of Israel,” and portrayed “The Minor Prophets,” utilizing the earth tones characteristic of the Flemish style. He has also depicted “The Miracles and Healings of Jesus” on wood using pyrography — a combination of wood burning, etching, carving and pigment. A piece from that collection, “Salvation,” appears on our GOOD NEWS cover, laid atop Olsen’s painting of the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.
Referencing John 3:14-16, some have called his imagery in “Salvation” prophetic. However, Olsen said, “I don’t crusade. I consider myself an artist looking at a biblical narrative and creating illustrations of it.” He hopes his art will cause people to look more deeply into the Holy Scriptures he portrays, as it has done for him and others who have shared that his art has influenced their faith.
Inspiring others
Tim Forman, an award-winning impressionist landscape artist and third-generation South Floridian renowned for his oil paintings capturing the region’s natural beauty, was introduced to art at age 10 during a summer class taught by Olsen.
“I didn’t know at the time that I was going to become a professional artist, but that’s where it all started,” Forman said. “Peter was amazing because he started us out painting in oils, which is usually more of a fine art, and that’s what I use now.” Many of Forman’s siblings and friends were introduced to art in Olsen’s classes, and he recalls the artist working on the “Revelation” paintings in his studio at the time.
Asked about the role of art in illuminating the Scriptures, Forman said, “Art communicates without words. It’s sometimes relative to the person, but it’s always connecting in some way. I learned years ago that people will look at your art, and they may say, ‘That’s really peaceful,’ even though they can’t necessarily put it into words. So, I think there is great value in illustrating themes from the Bible, just like capturing God’s glory in creation is more my style.”
The late Dr. D. James Kennedy, founding pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, also recognized art’s role in illuminating the Scriptures. The church, where Olsen is a member, was home to an art guild for 10 years under Kennedy’s leadership. Olsen curated their annual art show, including an exhibit commemorating the church’s 25th anniversary.
Olsen’s artwork currently graces the entryway of Gateway Church in Fort Lauderdale. His mural of the baptism of Jesus adorns the wall near their baptismal font. The Rev. N.R. Hyatt, president and CEO of Gateway Church and Gateway Christian Academy, said Olsen has brought several “Revelation” pieces to share with the congregation and enhance Bible studies. “We are such visual people now that some have a hard time reading the Word and comprehending it, but when you see Mr. Olsen’s art, it brings the Scriptures to life!”
She added that they are “especially blessed to have such a distinguished artist” teaching at their school. When Olsen arrives to teach his class, Principal William Latson said, “the children squeal and jump up and down with delight. He instills confidence in the students, teaching that art can be an expression of themselves — a feeling. He also talks about art as an expression of his faith, and they respond to him.”
How it all began
Drawn to painting as a child, Olsen started on strips of cardboard using leftover supplies from his father’s house painting business in Brooklyn, New York. When severe childhood asthma resulted in a long hospitalization and absence from school, he was — perhaps providentially — placed in a special class led by an art teacher who sparked his creativity and introduced him to various styles, including pointillism and cubism. At 15, he was accepted to the prestigious Pan American Academy of Fine Arts, where he was classically trained for five years and began taking paid commissions. At 19, he submitted a painting and sculpture to a competition at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, and his sculpture was selected for display.
Olsen moved to Florida in the late 1960s and placed an ad in the Sun-Sentinel offering mural painting services. “Tamarac was being built at the time, and I had so much business. I was painting three or four murals a week, doing portraits, and teaching at a small studio,” Olsen said. Though raised in a Christian home, he admitted, “I wasn’t an avid Christian at the time and was doing a lot of outer space paintings.”
In 1974, an encounter with Ruth Maupin, founder of Broward County Child Evangelism Fellowship, shifted his direction. She gave Olsen a copy of The Late Great Planet Earth by Hal Lindsey, which sat unread for a while until he randomly opened it to a subchapter titled “The Ambassador from Galaxy H.” The passage discussed Revelation 10:2-3, where the Apostle John sees a mighty angel holding an open scroll, standing with one foot on the sea and the other on land, shouting like a lion.
“Every part of my being was saying, ‘I’ve got to paint this,'” Olsen said. “The Rainbow Angel” was his first biblical painting, followed by “The Alpha and The Omega.”
Olsen prayed and dedicated his life and career to God. Since then, he has completed oil paintings depicting all 22 chapters of Revelation and drawn over 450 teaching illustrations of its 404 verses. He has created more than 1,000 artworks on Revelation and correlating verses from the Old and New Testaments. He is currently illustrating Genesis, having completed chapter 39 of 50.
Over the years, Olsen’s biblical art has been displayed at shows and in more than 50 churches along the East Coast. He has also appeared with his artwork on CBS, CBN, TBN, and The 700 Club.
Now in his 80s, Olsen remains a prolific artist with ambitions to continue his Genesis project. His wife, Samantha, has helped compile his Revelation illustrations into six volumes in anticipation of publishing the full works. He has kept the entire Revelation collection intact and is seeking a permanent home to share these sacred visions. Olsen continues to teach art classes. His art prints are available at peterolsen.pixels.com or follow him on social media @peterolsenart.
For more Good News, read the GOOD NEWS April 2025 Issue at: https://digital.goodnewsfl.org/2025/april/