Anj Olsen

A favorite from last night.

Part 2 of 2 watercolor work from this week.

Some more watercolor work completed this week. Part 1 of 2.

My painting tonight on Valentine’s Day. The first one the image was preprinted and I colorized it. The others are by me. Relaxing and good therapy.

In the wild world I’m in, I’m working to find peace in my world. I’m teaching myself how to use watercolor paint. I’m not great, but I can focus on things that bring me peace.

Close up
Shot of some flowers earlier this year. I thought we could use a splash of color before winter sets in.

Thank you again. This is magnificent. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Visited the Ice Castle at the MN State Fairgrounds today and shot several photos. This was one of my favorites tonight. It was a low-key beautifully eerie event. Loved it.

My Lily who struggles with a regular cat meow, became very talkative a day at my office. She’s earned the nickname Meep or Meepster due to her voice. You’ll want to turn up the volume.

Dexter (dog) and Lily have a great relationship. They play, cuddle and groom each other.

Lily, my pandemic kitten, is super playful and affectionate. She loves her cat tree and climbs it like this all the time and she’s 3 years old. #cats

Constance was my child’s cat. Playful, affectionate and a fierce mouser. She passed last year unexpectedly. This video captured her spirit. #cats

In the middle of Moorhead, MN, there’s the Hjemkomst Center and they have a recreation of a Stav Church and a Viking ship. I took some candid shots in June 2024 in and out of the church. It’s a fantastic recreation. I recommend visiting if you can. cityofmoorhead.com/departments/...

Your secret is safe with me.

Come spring, they’re magnificent at Como. This is from the stairs. I don’t know who the couple is, I just wanted to capture the symmetry.

Springtime Japanese cherry blossoms in full bloom. Pale and rich pink colors.

Springtime Japanese cherry blossoms in full bloom. Pale and rich pink colors.

This last spring (2024), I was fortunate enough to be at Como Park in time for the height of the Japanese Cherry Blossoms to be in full bloom. Beauty and the faint smell of blossoms embraced me. Two days later, breezes caused the blossoms to fall like snowflakes.

Haven’t posted for a bit as things got busy and home and at work. Things are much more normal now. My #cat Lily has been super affectionate lately. She invited me for a belly rub and it wasn’t a trap. She got lots of love from me.

Valladolid at night in December 2022. The bright lights, shopping and immense joy from others made this a wonderful experience.

Wow. It’s stellar.

Images from Banning Stare Park (MN). It was a misty day and I saw so much beauty. It was like time had stopped so long ago. Just me and nature. Powerful falls could be heard nearby. I chose to enjoy the peace of the forest.

Unions by Anj This not only includes the ceremony, but it is working with your photographer, wedding party and a whole lot more.

Today I start writing the first wedding ceremony I’m officiating in 2025.

Most of my work is through referrals, if you know someone who’s getting married and they’re in the Twin Cities or western Wisconsin, hit me up.

UnionsbyAnj.weebly.com

Let’s not forget he’s an illegal immigrant and overstayed his student visa.

Lovely. Thank you for sharing.

Interesting perspective. While hiking through Whitewater State Park, I found a deep crevice between boulders. I inserted my camera upside down and took a photo and the details are remarkable. The small green blades of grass evoked a smile on my lips.

Finding beauty in the chilly autumn day at Whitewater State Park (MN). The lonely leaf and the sumac were brightly beautiful despite the surrounding brown and ash.

Things will be complicated as next year will be very busy work-wise, but there are things I want to do/try:

* take a landscape watercolour class
* make pottery
* make a glass bowl
* make stained glass

What do you want to try next year?

My Lily. A COVID kitten. She kept my depression and anxiety at bay and I’m grateful for her existence.
#cats #blackcat #luckyme

Have some zen and call me in the morning. Beautiful temple in Kyoto. It rained in the morning before we arrived, stopped briefly and continued. I sat outside taking it all in. #kyoto #peace #temple

The dishes that were served.

A fond memory of my friends and I enjoying a post dinner stroll in Kyoto. It was a formal Kyoto-style meal with 9 different courses. We were all very full. The restaurant worked around my food issues, so it was very enjoyable. #kyoto #happymemories #goodfriends