Elsie Thorson (Vice President)
Original Watercolors and Acrylics
Elsie Thorson is a freelance artist, designer and teacher. She graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Fine Arts. She did additional graduate work at the University of Wisconsin in Eau Claire and Augustana College in Seoux Falls.
She has always worked in art and design related fields and continues to provide several commercial clients with a wide variety of custom cards and designs. While working for Augsburg Fortress Publishers and Vista III Design in Minneapolis, she did graphic design work on music covers, a series of children’s books, and devotional bulletin covers, among other projects. Elsie designed several book covers for individual clients including a watercolor painting of the Minnesota governor’s residence in St. Paul for the cover of “The Governor’s Table”. Elsie has published illustrations in several history books and not long ago was commissioned to do ink drawings for a resource guide for the Association of Lutheran Older Adults.
Inspired by the beauty of nature, Elsie creates exquisite paintings in watercolor, acrylic, and inks. Elsie has exhibited her work in several local galleries, and her paintings have won awards in the Midwest as well as the Northwest. Her work can be found in private collections around the country.
Artist's Statement
I believe that knowledge of the fundamentals of art make up the building blocks that help a person find self-expression. I try to approach each new painting venture as an experiment in learning. It keeps me from trying too hard to please others or to work only for display or sales. I believe that every artist has a desire to free the imagination and to find his or her own voice.
My years of design and illustration in the professional art world have helped me appreciate many forms of art and techniques. My years of teaching have helped me to respect each person’s artwork at the level they happen to be.
I have disciplined myself to work at my art every day if it is at all possible. Some days go well and other days not so well, but I love it and I can see that I grow by staying with it.