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Karen Olson

Karen Olson

Medium

Website https://karenolsonphotography.com

Social

LocationHope, Maine

As an artist working in photography, I am interested in visually expressing human emotion with all its intricacies and complexities. I want to illustrate the language of the subconscious mind and use the medium to dig deep into the psyche. I encourage creative interplay between the camera, model, and photographer. Collaboration and  spontaneity are key elements in my process. Having spent many years exploring and working in artistic mediums such as fiber art, collage, acrylics, and metalwork; I truly feel photography speaks to me in a way that no other has. It is the medium that brings together my collected knowledge and skill in the arts in a way that rejuvenates and refreshes me. I still work in these mediums, only now, the work helps me to create unique concepts and dimensional imagery. I intertwine and layer digital captures of these elements in my work. My latest project, ‘Between Two Worlds,’ visually expresses the effects of trauma and grief. It depicts the ambiguous void, the space that lacks clarity or form when one is grieving or experiencing intense emotional pain. As I worked through my personal reality using my creative process, I found it an extremely valuable tool to aid in healing. It has allowed me to move through very difficult thought processes and has been an important conduit for connection. The work has been and is intended as a prompt to begin a dialog, to help us tell our stories.