My most recent works have been collected to form an ongoing project called “Kinship.” During a period of recovery, I found myself drawn into companionship with the trees and plants surrounding my home—magnolia, balsam, motherwort, and pine—each arriving in its season with a presence that carried both comfort and meaning. Born from daily closeness with these beings and others, this project reflects an important learning and an awakening of awareness. This piece - “Letter from Home” - has found its forever home. #kinship #karenolsonphotography #papersculpture
An invitation to create together in Italy… – The Experience Explore papermaking, sculpture, and book arts with handmade papers, Italian pigments, and natural dyes. – Masterclasses Learn directly from Karen Olson and Italian masters; papermaker Sandro Tiberi & bookbinder Carla Luminati. – Community Find inspiration in connection—creative mornings, shared meals, and new friendships. – Travel & Atmosphere The rolling hills, sunsets, and streets of the Le Marche region will surround you with beauty each day. June 21–27, 2026 · Urbino, Le Marche. Limited spots available—link in bio! #italianatours #artretreat #italyartreatreat #italyartworkshop #karenolsonphotography #artworkshops
A wonderful encounter with the gorgeous gorge at Watkin’s Glen State Park. It was privilege to guide a forest therapy walk here today with a dear friend. At every turn a more beautiful vista revealed itself. The Chestnut Oaks encouraged us on our return trek. What amazing trees! Strong, stately, and welcoming. #foresttherapyguide #foresttherapywalks #watkinsglengorge
Thank you @fibercollege for hosting my workshop and Marcella Christensen for assisting and taking these photos. And huge hugs to the students. It was such a delight to be among friends and fellow creatives. Such a wonderful week!!
Show of student work at Touchstone Retreats. Can’t you just feel the excitement! The creative energy was incredibly infectious and the results are so exciting!! #papersculpture #papermaking #papermakingwithplants #touchstoneretreats2025
Glorious textures and colors from day two of Touchstone Retreats. Dye on paper, inclusions, and finger casting. Student work. #naturaldyeonpaper #papermaking #touchstoneretreats2025
Day two, morning session at Touchstone Retreats. Paper sculpting, pours, and embossing. The energy continues! #karenolsonphotography #papersculpture #toutchstoneretreats2025
Day one , Papermaking. at Touchstone Retreats. We began with cattail and natural abaca and moved on to other fibers with inclusions in the afternoon. The energy in the room was inspiring! #papermaking #papermakingwithplants #touchstoneretreats2025
Ready for Touchstone Retreats 2025! Teaching in the dye barn this year at Fiber College. Such a beautiful space. Thank you @fibercollege for hosting me again this year. Can’t wait to get started!!
A collection of small explosion books, printed on Awagami Bamboo paper. I am really in love with this form. They are just so fun to make! Definitely want to keep experimenting with different colors and patterns. I added small magnets to the ends of each book so they can be positioned on the wall in a variety of configurations. Also very fun! I can see an entire installation wall with these. Thanks again @tonihartillart and @fibreartstaketwo for your “Undbound” course.
Three little stab bound cascade books using some of those precious little pieces of paper I did not know what to do with. I love this idea, as both an artistic form and a record of my paper explorations. Enjoying being a student for a while with Toni Hartill’s “Unbound” course. A wonderfully inspiring course! tonihartillart @fibreartstaketwo
What an incredible evening! Visiting with Joyce Tenneson, hearing her speak about her work, really, really wanting one her pieces… and getting to talk about “Cultivating the Heart Sense” with a group of attentive artists and collectors. Several of my students came out. So much appreciated. Thank you @mmpagallery and everyone who came to view this amazing show! #womeninprint #mmpagallery #karenolsonphotography
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