olaf c. seltzer (1877-1957)
The first fourteen years of Seltzer's life were spent in Copenhagen, Denmark. He attended public schools there, and when he was twelve, his exceptional talent in draftsmanship warranted his admittance as a special student to the Technical Institute of Copenhagen. Upon his father's death, his mother moved the family to Great Falls, Montana. Seltzer becama a machinist in the Great Northern Railroad shops. After completing his apprenticeship, he became a railway and locomotive repairman and worked industriously at this occupation for over a quarter of a century.
During the early period of his job with the railroad Seltzer met Charles Russell, who taught and encouraged him to paint in both watercolor and oil. For many years, Seltzer practiced his painting on the side, while still holding his job with the railroad. It was not until 1921, however, when there was a massive layoff in the machine repair shops, that he attempted to make a living with his art. To his surprise and delight he found that he could. Local eminence and commissions started to come his way.
In 1926 and 1927 he stayed in New York, studying paintings in the museums and galleries and making contacts with eastern buyers. During the following years, he made many trips to New York and other eastern cities as his work was receiving acceptance there as well as in the West. Lacking the robust and colorful personality of his friend and mentor, Charles Russell, Seltzer did not receive recognition as a first rate Western artist until recent years.
His style, while showing the influence of Russell, also demonstrates his individuality, especially in his subtle use of color and decisiveness of line. Poor eyesight, caused by executing over a hundred miniatures under a powerful magnifying glass, did not prevent Seltzer from being a prolific artist; he turned out over 2500 paintings. A large collection of his work is owned by the Gilcrease Institute in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
During the early period of his job with the railroad Seltzer met Charles Russell, who taught and encouraged him to paint in both watercolor and oil. For many years, Seltzer practiced his painting on the side, while still holding his job with the railroad. It was not until 1921, however, when there was a massive layoff in the machine repair shops, that he attempted to make a living with his art. To his surprise and delight he found that he could. Local eminence and commissions started to come his way.
In 1926 and 1927 he stayed in New York, studying paintings in the museums and galleries and making contacts with eastern buyers. During the following years, he made many trips to New York and other eastern cities as his work was receiving acceptance there as well as in the West. Lacking the robust and colorful personality of his friend and mentor, Charles Russell, Seltzer did not receive recognition as a first rate Western artist until recent years.
His style, while showing the influence of Russell, also demonstrates his individuality, especially in his subtle use of color and decisiveness of line. Poor eyesight, caused by executing over a hundred miniatures under a powerful magnifying glass, did not prevent Seltzer from being a prolific artist; he turned out over 2500 paintings. A large collection of his work is owned by the Gilcrease Institute in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
