Rhode Island-based painter Paul Olson presents A Brush with Trees, a new exhibition of plein-air landscapes created on the historic grounds of Blithewold. These expressive oil paintings capture the arboretum’s majestic trees, shifting coastal light, and the quiet beauty of one of Rhode Island’s most beloved gardens.
Many of the works were begun during summers when Olson taught outdoor painting classes at Blithewold through RISD Continuing Education, offering a unique perspective shaped by deep observation and painterly rhythm.
Come walk the grounds—and see them through the artist’s eyes.
About the Artist: Paul Olson is a Rhode Island-based painter known for his expressive plein-air landscapes that capture the quiet complexity of trees, forests, and coastal environments. With a practice rooted in direct observation and decades of painting outdoors, Olson creates painterly, calligraphic works that reflect his deep connection to the natural world. His work balances energetic mark-making with a studied attention to light, atmosphere, and place.