Exciting news! I will be speaking at the Maine Museum of Photographic Arts this coming Friday/ August 22, 5-8pm along with Joyce Tenneson. We will be talking about our work, our process, the impetus, influences and what’s next in our image making journey.
I am humbled and honored to share the gallery with Joyce and thrilled that I will be able to spend a little time in conversation. Join us if you can in Portland, Maine this Friday.
#mmpagallery #karenolsonphotography #cultivatingtheheartsense
“More Than Enough”
Pigment print on dyed hanji, Himalayan Balsam lace paper
#papersculpture #karenolsonphotography
Perception
If you go outdoors and sit next to plant, and then focus on the color of the leaves, the texture of the stem, the scent of its essence— paying full attention to the smallest detail, distracted by nothing else, it is then that you begin to realize the power of the heart as an organ of perception. How does it feel? There is no need to verbally describe it as if justifying your experience. Just feel it. Feel it in your body and in your heart. How does it feel?
#cultivatingtheheartsense #karenolsonphotography
Latest play date with dye on paper. These pieces will be book covers, box covers, backgrounds, substrates for prints, and sculptural elements.
#naturaldye #sculpturalphotography #sculpturalbooks
Over the moon and honored to be included among the list of photographers in the show “Women in Print: A Celebration of Works on Paper” at the Maine Museum of Photographic Arts.
Thank you @mmpagallery for all that you do to support and promote Maine photographers.
Show runs from August 1st to September 19. https://www.mainemuseumofphotographicarts.org
#mmpa #mainephotographer
Results from the mixed fiber and dye trials. I will be visiting this process again at a later date as I feel the dye needs to be incorporated differently or made into a lake pigment.
But for now, my favorite is the last paper, bleached flax and Himalayan balsam.
#papermaking #papermakingwithplants
#iapmamember
I am excited and honored to report that “Equilibrium” was selected for inclusion in “The 27”, a limited edition hardbound art book of Asmith Gallery’s exhibition “Landscapes,” juried by Wendi Schneider.
To cast a vote for the Visitors’ Award, head over to @asmithgallery and like the image.
A gallery talk can be viewed at this link, also in my profile
https://asmithgallery.com/2025/07/landscapes-juried-by-wendi-schneider-gallerytalk/
Thank you so very much Wendi, Kevin and Amanda! @wendischneiderart @asmithgallery
#landscapes_asmithgallery #fineartphotography #photographygallery #asmithgallery #karenolsonphotography
Sights and sounds of today’s work. Exploring color with natural dye extracts. Blends of flax, dandelion, cattail, and lily pulp for papermaking.
Shout out goes to @maiwa_naturaldyes for offering such beautiful dye extracts. Thanks Maiwa, I have been having tons of fun!
#naturaldye #papermaking #iapmamember #summer #karenolsonphotography
“ComeSummer”
Midcoast Maine Book Arts show opens today at the Camden Library in Camden Maine.
Stop by if you can and meet the inspiring artists contributing to the show. Reception from 2-4 pm Sunday July 6.
#bookarts #midcoastmaine #maineartists
Quotes
“I am a papermaker because it is a discipline where you can fully get engaged with all the steps of the making of something. And every single step of the process can be important in relation to what you want to say with your needs of expression.”
Roberto Mannino
Coming up on July 14th, An Introduction to Papermaking with Plants. This is a little taste of the wonderfully engaging process of papermaking and will be held in conjunction with the show “Botany Bound” in Ellsworth, Maine. Details at link in bio.
This book, “Words Cannot Heal” is one of a collection of three, two of which will be shown at the Heart of Ellsworth.
#maineartclasses #papermaking #wildtending
I will often set aside weeks out of the year for creative play. No agenda, no need to produce anything meaningful, just pure fun. I give myself permission to explore, discover, and make the funkiest thing that my body is calling for. The “thinking” brain is allowed to shut down and the “sensing brain” is allowing to come forward for an extended period of time.
#creativeprocess #sensoryexperience #arttherapy #cultivatingtheheartsense
Plant trials have begun. Looking for new options along the wild edges of my back yard for papermaking. Today’s plant is goldenrod. Promising. Not too difficult to harvest and dried quickly overnight.
#papermaking #papermakingwithplants #wildtending
Two back to back to back mini classes coming up in Maine.
Introduction to Papermaking with Plants and Dyed and Stab Bound Journals
In the papermaking class, participants will learn how to use plants from the landscape to make paper. You will have ample opportunity to make at least five sheets of handmade paper. The process will be thoroughly explained allowing you to continue to make paper from the plants you have in your own garden and surrounding area. A garden walk will be included to introduce you to several sustainable possibilities.
A dyed and stab bound journal is a wonderful way to use our handmade papers. You will learn a simple dyeing technique using kakisubu (Japanese persimmon juice extract) and dye extracts to decorate your papers to use as covers. You will learn to stitch them together in the Japanese style with a tortoise shell stab bound technique.
July 14, 2025
Heart of Ellsworth 16 State Street, Ellsworth, Maine Visit this link to register:
https://www.karenolsonphotography.com/maine-classes
#maineartclasses #papermaking #papermakingwithplants
A piece I call “Out of the Box.”
Handmade and dyed abaca paper, Himalayan balsam paper, ink, photo transfer, beeswax, hemp yarn
#photosculpture #karenolsonphotography #papermaking #papersculpture #bookarts
Join me for a delightful sensory experience on the trails of Merryspring Nature Center. This is a low impact walk suitable for most. It is a slow walk that does not require physical stamina. Forest therapy helps people reconnect and form meaningful relationships with themselves, their communities, and nature through guided experiences. It is a relational practice characterized by a heart centered approach. This approach awakens our understanding of the inherent ability to be present in our bodies and connect with our intuition and imagination. Sensory experiences facilitate a heart-centered connection where we realize that we are intrinsically a part of the life all around us.
“The forest is the therapist, the guide opens the door.”
For more information visit my website under the “more” tab.
Monday, June 23, 5-7 pm or Thursday, June 26, 3-5 pm
Free for Merryspring members, $15 for non-members, please register in advance by calling 207-236-2239
#anft #foresttherapyguide #merryspringnaturecenter
Selections of the series “Cultivating the Heart Sense” are now available @mmpagallery
Pigment print on Japanese Kozo paper, 20”x30” on 24”x34” sheet
#karenolsonphotography #mainemuseumofphotographicarts
The three books are complete. Shown here is the one titled “Words Cannot See.”
The concept for these books have been rolling around in my artist brain for many months and months. I am happy to finally have been able to complete them.
I am grateful to Joelle Weber, Mermaid Bindery, Westport, Maine for the inspiration and instruction for the hinge binding. The books fold open and closed in any direction or configuration.
Monoprint and photo transfer on Hanji paper, kitakama paper, Himayalan balsam and abaca paper, hand
dyed hanji paper, gold watercolor, green board.
#artistbook #karenolsonphotography #bookarts
Work in progress. Preparing photo transfers for the final layer on these accordion book pages. The structure for each of three books will mimic Japanese folding screens.
#wip #bookarts #karenolsonphotography
Last dat to view the work @localcolorgallerymaine
Heart to Heart - Wall Sculpture, Pigment print on kozo paper, abaca, beeswax, kozo fibers, fire
#maineartgallery #maineartist #karenolsonphotography
Symphonia
The heart sense is not a metaphor, nor is it elusive or theoretical. We feel it tangibly in our bodies and understand it in our deepest core. It is music and rhythm—the very essence of existence. It is our capacity to feel, connect, learn from, and understand beings beyond ourselves.
Pigment print on kozo paper
#cultivatingtheheartsense #karenolsonphotography
