Meet Justin (JD) Olerud | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Justin (JD) Olerud and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Justin (JD), how do you think about risk?
For me risk is related to the heart. I think that allowing yourself to find love and joy equals passion. Therefore art making, experimentation and discovery are a part of my lifelong journey. Without risk results would always remain the same. Routine is stable but learning and curiosity is risk taking.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started as a painter and went to school. Undergraduate at California College of the arts and Masters degree at Columbia University both in painting. My work although still connected to painterly ideas has moved more sculptural while deliving into stained glass. In a way it’s the physical and actualization of what painting ideas have been throughout its history “the idea of making a window into another dimension based on illusion or trompe l’oeil.”

Except I’m making an actual window with stained glass.

I have been working in this medium for the past 4 years and keep evolving it. Like painting the colors are rich and transparent and opaque, there are so many colors and variations of glass to choose from.

I am also using similar subjects within my glass work that were present in my previous paintings. Although, more centered around nature and wildlife that I believe is truly magical and I don’t want to take for granted and surrounds me everyday.

I also am a huge defender and lover for craft. So it feels natural for me to extend myself to this medium.

Motifs I use are but not limited to, bats, rattlesnakes, webs, coyotes a house fly, datura, lilac, camellia and tons more.

I’m excited to expand even more with my subjects in the future.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
So if I were to schedule a whole week in Los Angeles with friends visiting it would go a lot like this:

Monday, we’d start the day by getting coffee at Jones coffee in Pasadena then head to the Huntington library, Botanical gardens and galleries, and spend the first part of the whole day there. After we chilled there for a bit we’d head to go get lunch…. Then stroll around old Pasadena and after looking around chill at Central Park for a bit. Then we’d finally end the night at Lucky Baldwins bar.

Tuesday we would do a Hollywood trip and go to Hollywood Forever cemetery. We’d admire the landscape and lovely buildings then check out the Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass pieces in the mausoleum.

Wednesday we’d check out trails cafe in Griffith park then go for a lovely hike. Then spend the day in Los Feliz while ending the day for dinner and happy hour at Figaro and possibly a couple drinks at the Dresden and maybe get pie after at House of Pie.

Thursday we’d take a fun trip and tour to check Judson studios.

Friday we’d have a lovely beach day and picnic lunch in Malibu and then head up to Ventura to check out more beaches… then end the day with dinner and drinks at either Reel Inn or Neptunes Net.

Saturday we’d have fun in sunset junction and echo park checking out all the local shops off sunset Blvd. and going to echo park lake…then grab flaming margaritas and lunch at el compadre. Then possibly end the night at little doms in Los Feliz.

Sunday we’d go to the Hammer museum then head to check out LACMA and then MOCA! And end up getting drinks and dinner in little Tokyo.

This would be a general idea of how I might schedule my week if friends were visiting!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people that have allowed me to feel blessed and be where I am today. Artists, mentors, family and friends. My mom, dad, and grandparents… Artists including: Kaari Upson, Laura Owens, Eamon Ore-Giron, Iris Yirei Hu, Alika Cooper, Trulee Hall, Kara Joslyn, Paige Cheyne and so many more wonderful and inspiring people I hold true to myself. Each one of these people have allowed me to have faith in myself and inspired me to make art and be who I am today.

Website: www.paintingsbyolerud.com

Instagram: @jdolerud