Artwork you can play
Olmsted transforms musical instruments into musical masterpieces.

Asheville- Caren Frost Olmsted is an artist whose business focuses on painting murals and faux finishes. But in pursuit of her art, she’s had to learn how to string and tune a guitar, despite the fact that she doesn’t play one. Why? Because she’s started painting guitars and other instruments, creating what she calls playable works of art.

“My whole gig is keeping instruments playable. It’s all about the marriage of form and function,” Olmsted said. “There are lots of people integrating instruments as ‘found’ objects in their art, but very few are creating functional works of art.”

Olmsted, 32, has an old piano belonging to her husband that she “has wanted to paint forever.” She mentioned the idea to a friend who offered a guitar instead. Olmsted painted the guitar and was hooked. Since January, she’s painted 9 guitars, a violin, and a ukulele.

Olmsted started her painting business, CFO Design, in 2003, after her son was born. She’s now pregnant with her second son.

Her murals and faux finishes grace a number of homes around Asheville and New Jersey, where she’s from. She’s done lots of other art projects as well, including poster design and commissioned art projects.

Olmsted local clients include Asheville’s Central Methodist Church, Glade Homes Design Center, mbody: Mind & Fitness Studio, Chelsea Teddy Bear Co., Swannanoa Cleaners and the Flat Rock Music Festival.

Olmsted’s goal is to turn homes and businesses into “works of art” while having fun.

“If I have to be working, I want to be happy and joyful,” she said. “And I am so happy with a paintbrush in my hand.”

Her one-of-a-kind painted instruments are getting lots of attention these days.

Pura Vida in Asheville had a show of Olmsted’s guitars in September, which resulted in receiving two new commissions.

The average cost for a hand-painted guitar is $1000, said Olmsted. The price can be as low as $500 if you provide the instrument and only want the front painted or it can be as high as $3000 if Olmsted purchases the instrument and paints the entire body.

She said it can take 40 hours or more to complete the work. She uses 8 or 9 coats of finish per instrument. Even so, there ultimately can be some wear on guitars that don’t have finger plates.

Mel Kelley, owner of Avant Garden, said Olmsted’s faux finishes “have a way of transforming spaces.” Olmsted painted a couple of rooms in Kelley’s home, and when Kelley learned about the hand-painted guitars, she wanted to be one of the first people to own one.

“As a musician, I had to be sure that Caren knew what she was doing and would protect the integrity of the instrument,” Kelley said. “She did lots of research with musicians and guys who build instruments. Now my guitar is fantastic. The painting hasn’t interfered at all with the sound, and it’s this amazing work of art.”

Recently Olmsted painted a mural for The Learning Channel’s television show “Moving Up.” The program will air in March or April.