Justin Olmstead

Justin Olmstead is a contemporary painter, educator, and storyteller, born in 1983 in Olympia, Washington, where he currently resides and works. He is Chumash, a lineal descendant of the Santa Ynez and Barbareno California Mission Indians.

Justin explores traditional indigenous concepts and ideas in a modern context. He dives deep into introspection throughout all of his work. Justin's inspiration is an amalgamation of generational wisdom, culture, historical events, and personal experiences. He spends time developing a more in-depth physical and mental understanding of this union by looking at through lines and connections that can be communicated. His canvases weave spirituality, theology, epigenetics, storytelling, racism, historical traumas and triumphs, allowing a glimpse into Justin's personal generational clarity of lineage. A crucial part of Justin's artistic and cultural practice is creating time and space to look to dreams for answers. Through dreaming, Justin receives messages that deepen his capacity to distinguish between the nuances and often help fill in missing pieces for his art.