Artist Bio
Marie Olofsdotter's life is the exploration of artistic voice. Whether taking the form of a painting, a mixed media piece, a picture book, or a poem her artwork is a means of communication, a kind of storytelling.
Born and raised in Sweden, Marie now lives along the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. She received formal training in art history and sculpture in Sweden. In addition she studied theatrical clowning and mask theater before moving to the United States in 1981. She has worked as a freelance maskmaker and performer in Stockholm, Paris, Berlin and Minnesota.
The author and illustrator of several picture books, including SOFIA AND THE HEARTMENDER (Holy Cow! Press), and A PICTURE BOOK OF CESAR CHAVEZ (Holiday House), Marie has also created a series of one-of-a-kind Artist's books. She has received a Mid-America Publishers Award and a Midwest Book Achievement Award. Other awards include a Minnesota Book Award, a Loft Mentor Award in Poetry, and grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board, the Jerome Foundation, and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council.
Her illustrations are rich in play and vibrant color and appear in numerous publications. These and other works have been exhibited throughout the United States and in Sweden.
Pursuing inspiration for her work, she has studied art in India on several occasions. With a combination of poetry, painting, sculpture and shrine, Marie's pieces reflect a love of nature and a devotion to the voice of her individual soul journey.
Marie has been working as a creative consultant and a teaching artist for over 25 years. She has shared her enthusiasm for creativity and the arts through the Walker Art Center, the Minnesota Opera, The Loft Literary Center, The MacPhail Center for the Arts, Public Libraries, and schools across the country.
