Olson, who attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City for art education, wanted to spread holiday joy through art this Christmas, and painted Christmas scenes on more than a dozen area businesses’ windows including Kanealy Repair, The Loot Loft, Night Owl Books, The Good Cup, Humboldt Engraving, Boldt Nutrition, Retail Rehab, and El sol de Mexico restaurant.

“I’ve had so much fun painting these windows,” said Olson. “I hope that my art brings people the same joy that it has brought to me.”

Olson, who started painting the scenes in October, even painted a mural at local holiday favorite Christmasland in honor of her grandmother.

“That was special and a favorite,” said Olson. “I reached out to the Kiwanis Christmasland as they’re refreshing and redoing scenes there. They’d already done some Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer characters so then I painted the background so they’re all scenes from the classic original movies. I watched the original Rudolph movie a bunch of times and got ideas.”

-Submitted photo
Santa is ready for the holidays in the windows of El sol de Mexico restaurant in Humboldt. Kelsey Olson painted Santa along with a gift and cactus in one window of the business, and a festive taco and beverages in another.

The Dr. Seuss Grinch-themed windows at The Loot Loft are one of Olson’s favorites because of her and her kids’ love of the movie.

“I painted a manger scene in gold at The Good Cup as well,” said Olson. “It looks so simple, but it was actually more time consuming than I thought. It was a challenge, but I think it really looks beautiful.”

This holiday season’s paintings are the first Olson has ever done on windows.

“It was a whole learning process for me,” she said. “I had to do a lot of research into what paints to use, how to take it off, what works best to make it stay longer, etc. It was a lot of research and work, but I’m really happy with how everything turned out.”

Olson also had to fight cold temperatures while painting. The festive Santa on the windows of El sol de Mexico restaurant was painted when it was below zero outside.

-Submitted photo
Kelsey Olson, of Humboldt, painted a bubblegum and beverage loving Santa Claus in the windows of Boldt Nutrition for the holidays.

“If my art can brighten someone’s day or help a business to feel more welcoming, or remind people to just slow down and smile, then I’ve accomplished my goal,” said Olson. “I want to bring joy into the community.”

Olson hopes to continue sharing her love of art throughout the year and said she would love to paint area business’ windows for other holidays and events as well.

Olson is also sharing her talents on social media on her Paint by Kelsey Facebook and TikTok accounts.

-Submitted photo Kelsey Olson, of Humboldt, has created a festive Christmas wonderland throughout the community by painting holiday scenes on area business’ windows.