Completely slow your pace until you are almost motionless. Fix your gaze on something and examine it. Now hold your body here. Feel the sensation of being in this moment, in this place, at this time. No need to describe it or think about it, just feel it. Feel yourself, a being, in the company of other beings.
This image - “Generosity” Pigment print on Awagami kozo paper.
#languageoftgeheart #karenolsonphotography
Took advantage of the few days of warm weather last week to have a last paper play date outdoors. The hostas graciously gave their stems for the effort. About half way through the drying process I realized the fiber would be perfect for shaping and casting. Love the result!
#papermakingwithplants #papersculpture #castpaper #karenolsonphotography
Sometimes you have to just make a mess! Make weird stuff, use odd colors, strange fibers, throw you paint, do things that make no sense at all. It is a great way to get yourself out of a funk or an unplanned hiatus. It’s an excellent way to get out of our heads and into a sensory place.
#sensoryplay
‘Grounded in Energy’
Book Sculpture - pigment print on kozo paper, beeswax, handmade abaca paper, handmade cattail paper, handmade linen rag paper, linen string.
Each paper is a unique piece, quite thin and irregular.
This book is part of the Language of the Heart - Heart Song series.
#artistbook #languageoftheheart #heartsongseries #karenolsonphotography
Finally creative flow kicks in and a new project begins!
#sheholdsourstories
Another really funky piece I call ‘Heritage.’ Again, I am not sure why.
Could we just say there are things I should know but I don’t know but wish I did know about my heritage?
Don’t we all??
#joomchi #papersculpture #karenolsonphotography #heritage
Maine craft weekend, open studio today!
‘Moment of Calm’
I know, seems like such an odd name for a scrappy little thing. Can we say it’s a soft quiet moment among the chaos??
Pulp dipped kozo fibers, pigment print on kozo paper, beeswax
#papersculture #sheholdsourstories #karenolsonphotography
Hilary Mank @everylongardenerhandmade and I are teaming up for an open studio day. Next Saturday, October 5th during Maine Craft Weekend. Come say hi and hang out for a while! Open 10-3.
Link in the profile for directions.
#mainecraftweekend2024 @maine_crafts_association
Sitting in the peaceful stillness of evening light, flow comes easily. Images and colors dance, sway, and play with each other. Sometimes imagery seems to appear on my screen uninvited. There is an element of surprise, like when a dear friend shows up at your door unexpectedly. This was the case with this image. It didn’t seem like ‘me.’ But then it doesn’t have to be.
‘Discovering’ - Pigment print on kozo paper
#karenolsonphotography #maineartist #mainephotographer #fineartphotohrapy
We made work but we also made friends! Huge thanks to the Touchstone students for your willingness, trust, and contribution to our small community this week. I am so grateful. You are awesome!!
@fibercollege #touchstoneretreats2024
Creativity was off the charts this week! I am blown away by what my Touchstone students pulled together in such a short period of time. We learned so much from each other. What a beautiful mini exhibition they created!!
@fibercollege #touchstoneretreats2024
Today’s work from my students at the Papermaking, Printing, and Paper Sculpture workshop at Touchstone Retreats in Searsport, Maine.
Beautiful!!
@fibercollege #papermaking #papersculpture #karenolsonphotography
The Touch Stone students were in the papermaking zone this last two days! I witnessed an explosion of creativity in a way that tapped into the sensory experience. They foraged, explored and experimented creatively. I love watching intensity and lightness come together.
@fibercollege #touchstoneretreats2024 #karenolsonphotography #papermakingworkshop
All set up and ready for the meet and greet @fibercollege at Touchstone retreats. Super excited to get started!
#papersculpture #papermaking #karenolsonphotography #touchstoneretreats #fibercollage
As we experience nuances of sight, sound, and touch in the forest, we become aware of our inner person. We sense the connections between ourselves and everything around us. We feel companioned and comforted and are grateful and appreciative in return. A deep, intimate conversation begins on a level very different from our daily experiences. This opens pathways in our brain that promote healing and grounds us to the present moment.
‘Compassionate Being’ - Wall Sculpture - Pigment print on Kozo paper, sculpted flax paper, natural fibers, wire
#papersculpture #forestbathing #karenolsonphotography
Visited Astrig @fibercollege a few days ago in preparation for Touchstone Retreats. A morning in the dye barn was texture heaven! It made me realize how well suited handmade paper is for botanical printing. Thinking of collaborations for next year.
Touchstone is just a couple of weeks away. Getting excited!!
#touchstoneretreats #fibercollage #maineartretreats
In many ways we have lost our ability to slow down, and we have definitely lost our ability to focus. But we can learn again. We can learn to hear the voice of intuition.
This piece - ‘Intuition’ - pigment print on kozo paper, handmade abaca paper, handmade cattail paper, beeswax, hemp yarn, silk kibiso
#papersculpture #handmadepaper #papermaking #photoasobject #sculpturalphotography #karenolsonphotography
Absolutely thrilled to be a part of the exhibition ‘Pulp to Pages’ @DUCommons, a national, juried exhibition of contemporary hand-crafted book-works (editioned or unique) that utilize a form of hand made paper as primary or secondary element.
Thank you so very much Alicia Bailey - Abecedarian Books @artistbooks and Katherine Crowe @DUSpecialCollections for the honor.
There is a link in my bio to the exhibition and shop page. Please have a visit to view the Wonderfull collection of works. ‘Grounded in Community,’ edition of two, is included In the show.
#abecedarianartistbooks #pulptopages #karenolsonphotography #arististbooks #handmadepaper
