Metal Artist and Author Jeff Olson of Fosston has work in our current folk art exhibit — Self-Taught Artists, Self-Told Stories. Jeff owns Olson Iron Works. He’s also a blacksmith and co-founder of Pine to Prairie Folk School.

Jeff believes that we are all creative. When asked what folk art means to him, he shared, “Folk Art is defined as the traditional decorative or practical art created by ordinary people who usually lack formal artistic training. I believe it’s much deeper than that. Everyone has creativity baked into their DNA. We are all running on a 300,000 year old Ice Age Hard Drive. Our ancestors needed to be creative to survive extreme weather, hunt, process food and defend themselves. They made clothing, tools and weapons and archaeological evidence from that era show that they decorated those items. I believe our ancestral Hard Drive is still there. Many of us just do not take the time to access those gifts left to us by our ancestors. I encourage people to take time away from their busy, digitized life and do that creative thing that puts a smile on their heart.”

He spoke about blacksmithing, the exhibit, his work in the exhibit, tools, mentoring, how he works, the phrase “chase the skill,” and enjoying your journey. You can find him on Instagram @Jeff Olson Artist.

Listen to the conversation and visit the exhibit!