Dennis Olsen continues to edition works for his Samplings series, a group of portraits of fictional characters. The AP/RC recently received fifty of the soon-to-be-completed eighty plus intaglio prints from this series. Here is a sample of nine. Olsen’s written narratives for his characters follow the identification of each image.

Hatari, 2009; Intaglio, chine colle; Image: 503 x 399 The elders thought that Hatari’s face was hard to read, a mask of someone they did not know.

LukeLucas, 2009 Intaglio, chine colle Image: 610 x 440 Luke never saw a contradiction in his two lives. For him flipping houses and writing tell-all books amounted to the same thing.

Maurice, 2009; Intaglio, chine colle; Image: 502 x 395 Maurice could hardly wait to escape his abusive father. One day, without telling his mother he failed to show up for lunch.

Axel, 2010; Intaglio, chine colle; Image: 508 x 380 Axel imagined that in a previous life he was a prosecutor, or maybe a judge. 
His doppelganger, on the other hand, would have been on the other side of the law.

Wilber, 2009; Intaglio, chine colle; Image: 503 x 393 Cruel rumors abound concerning Wilber: that he lives in a cave and eats bats and mice.

Pippin, 2009; Intaglio, chine colle; Image: 502 x 394 Every year on Bastille Day Pippin dresses for the occasion and amuses his friends with imitations of royalty.

Wolfgang, 2010; Intaglio, chine colle; Image: 508 x 413 For the men under his command, Wolfgang was a tyrannical figure.

Lady Agnes, ND; Intaglio, chine colle; Image: 508 x 406 When Lady Agnes entered, the room became silent and numerous glances ricocheted amongst the supplicants. A formidable figure, she knew when to exercise her influence.

Priscilla and Patsy Pidgeon, 2011; Intaglio, chine colle; Image: 538 x 451 Something happened to the Pidgeon sisters. They haven’t been seen since the last squaredance, do-si-do-ing in a provocative manner.

A short feature by Walley Films showcases Olsen as he explains and demonstrates in detail the process and inspiration for his audacious portrait series. As an additional treat, the video captures Olsen’s musical talents.