Early Life and Education

• Born: June 10, 1873, near Fairmount, Indiana
• Died: August 20, 1966, Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Family Background: Olive Rush was the fourth of six children born to Nixon and Louisa Rush, Quaker farmers in Grant County, Indiana.
• Early Interests: She began keeping diaries at age 13, documenting her life, studies, and experiences.
• Education: Attended Earlham College; studied at the Corcoran Gallery of Art and the Art Students League before becoming an illustrator in New York.

Career Development and Artistic Style

• Early Career (Illustration): Worked as a staff artist for the New York Tribune, illustrating books and magazines like St. Nicholas and Woman's Home Companion.
• European Studies: Studied with Richard Miller in Paris and later at the Boston Museum School.
• Move to New Mexico (1920): A pivotal moment, leading her to prioritize her own art over commercial work. Established a studio on Canyon Road in Santa Fe.
• Artistic Style: Her style evolved from illustrative realism to incorporate elements of the Southwest landscape and Native American culture. She worked in various media including oil painting, fresco, and tempera.
• Notable Works: Osage Treaties (mural for Pawhuska Post Office), The Library Reaches the People (fresco at Santa Fe Public Library).

WPA Murals and Recognition

• Works Progress Administration (WPA): Commissioned to paint murals as part of the New Deal's Section of Painting and Sculpture.
• Mural Projects: Created murals for post offices, libraries, and other public buildings in Oklahoma, Colorado, and New Mexico. These works often depicted uplifting subjects and celebrated American life.
• Recognition: Retrospective exhibition at the Museum of New Mexico Art Gallery in 1957.
• Honorary Doctorate: Received an honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts from Earlham College in 1947.

Influence and Legacy

• Pioneer in Native American Art Education: Played a significant role in promoting Native American art and artists, overseeing mural projects at the Santa Fe Indian School.
• First Professional Female Artist in Santa Fe: Established herself as a prominent figure in the early Santa Fe art colony.
• Quaker Values: Her Quaker upbringing influenced her life and work, emphasizing social responsibility and community engagement.
• Olive Rush Studio: The historic house and studio on Canyon Road, now owned by the Historic Santa Fe Foundation, stands as a testament to her legacy and contributions to the art world and the Santa Fe community.

Collections and Further Information

• Museums Holding Her Work: Brooklyn Museum of New York City, Haan Mansion Museum of Indiana Art, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum.
• Archives: A Finding Aid to the Olive Rush papers (1879-1967) is available at the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
• Online Resources: Medicine Man Gallery and Historic Santa Fe Foundation websites provide biographical information and insights into her life and work.