KAREN OLSONPhotographer + Textile Artist (American b. 19 - ) When trees converse, the air is charged with chemical substances, fragrances,hormones, and electrical connections. Placing myself in the middle of theconversation I am illuminated by it. Keenly interested in this human-nature connectionand how it supports and fosters mental health and interpersonal communication hasbecome the subject of my latest projects.My work is concept-driven and lens-based, exploring subjects such as grief, trauma,empathy, and forest bathing. The act of constructing, deconstructing, andconstructing further with both physical materials and digital files imitates the naturalcycles of growth and decay. Elements are digitally captured, blended, andintertwined. Fibers, papers, and photographs are formed and sculpted, addingweight and texture. Creatively, I seek an open dialog with the materials and thesubject, encouraging collaboration and interchange.Karen Olson is a lens-based artist working at the intersection of human emotion and the natural world. In her figurative and nature-inspired work, Karen uses concept-based projects to explore the human-nature connection and its role in fostering mental health and communication. Karen seeks an open dialog with subjects such as grief, trauma, empathy, and forest bathing. She illustrates these multi-sensory experiences by blending and layering photographic elements to create ethereal and immersive imagery.Recently interviewed for her project Wildlight by the Maine Museum of Photographic Arts, Karen’s sculptural photography has gained attention and press. Her work has been featured by the Griffin Museum of Photography, Art New England magazine, Maine Magazine, and One Twelve Publishing. Karen was chosen as an Rfotofolio selected artist for 2021 and was recently included in a Float Photo Magazine exhibition. Her work has appeared in numerous gallery shows, magazines, and private collections throughout the US. Waterfall Arts hosted her solo show ‘The Embrace’ in 2022. Karen serves on the board as web-editor for The International Association of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artists and is a creative consultant for Zamana Art.