C R E A T I V E
C O M M E R C E
F I N E A R T
From the FLOW collection image "August" 40x20 metallic print framed exhibited at 13th Annual May Show 2023 Lakeland Community College won a Jurors Award and received Mansfield Art Center May Show 2024 Honorable Mention Also featured in the Nature Conversancy media.
P O R T A L
about FLOW
It's no secret that natural environments can bring the explorer peace from the everyday fast paced lifestyles of modern human existence. Walking through many park systems has brought me relaxation through the sounds and sights while in contact with the various regional woodland waterways. The geography of the area is such that a river marks time by carving through bedrock while conforming to the Laws of Nature. In the history from its origins, a waterway is the continual life blood to its environment, holding memories of civilizations and creatures that have ventured upon its shores. As the water flows, dancing on the surface is a light language from the heavens punctuating the cresting and falling forms whatever size or shape. Sky and surrounding environments reflect as well producing a wide palette of seasonal colors in the swirls forming on the water's pathway. This is a partnership between all the elements~ water, wood, earth, air, and fire as they co-exist, interdependent, blending on the wheel of time. Yet the solitary nature of Water has the ability to quiet the human mind for clarity within the individual. None sustain without this aspect of understanding, existing together and singularly as spokes of the wheel. Over time, there is a balance between past, present and future ~ Nature and Human. What follows is the story of how FLOW came to be and the artistic collaboration between myself and Woodland Waterways.
Several years ago I was out for a walk when I noticed something while crossing a stream. It was as if I had been tapped on the shoulder by someone and told to look over here… There in front of me was a section of stream water reflecting the brilliant colors of the autumn afternoon on one visual plane and atop the water’s surface an insect making concentric rings. I have seen my fair share of reflections prior, however, this scene seemed more dimensional than usual, as though I was venturing through a Portal. Having had years of meditation experience I recognized this feeling. I was intrigued and felt called to deepen my understanding of woodland waterways by exploring photographically how water reacts in its relationship with other elements of Nature and to enter the portal for dimensional insights.
Inspiration for FLOW- Wallen Creek Brecksville Reservation CLE MetroParks
Deer along Tinkers Creek Bedford Reservation CLE MetroParks
water as portal
To begin the creative process, I centered myself with walks around a five mile radius of my home, intuitively going to specific locations at certain times. Once there I would study the waterways, dialoguing with water through my camera lens. With each encounter I would lose track of time being enveloped by the fluid design in shapes, textures and colors that water was co-creating with its environment and elements.
As I continued exploring I began rotating the locations of my walks revisiting areas. With benchmarks from previous walks noticing changes became easier in the conditional aspects of the waterways with their currents and velocity, riverbed constructs, soil, stone and rock formations, surrounding vegetation, volume of water or lack there of, lighting and seasonal conditions. Some changes were so rapid whereas the sun would shift in a moment and glistening shapes would abruptly cease. Other changes more dramatic, a rain storm coming through could disrupt everything - the scene becoming unrecognized from one hour or day to the next. Temperatures in seasonal shifts would alchemize water from liquid to solid fascinating in crystallizations to ever so thin sheets of ice melting back to flowing liquid. Intellectually we understand change happens especially in seasonal terms but when you study the real time impact it becomes astonishing.
What has happened in revisiting areas is a deeper understanding of woodland waterways. In this relationship building, I have gotten a better sense of the trials and tribulations presented in Nature and the adaptive beauty of Water. Invariably these constant changes have instilled a deep gratitude within me for the gift in seeing these magical movements of water and for being there in that particular moment to witness its intrinsic nature. There is nothing strategic about what I am doing. My creative process is based on intuitive observation and relationship interaction.
"August" was photographed in Brecksville Reservation CLE MetroParks
Same location, after a rain storm. The turquoise bedrock only partially visible.
These photo sessions have been essential to expressing the innate beauty and affects of accelerating change while the resiliency of Water to constantly adapt has become an integral component to understanding the natural wisdom being shared. No species or creature is exempt from the acceleration of evolution that is occurring right now. The forms and designs a waterway speaks through while gently flowing around obstacles become a thoughtful commentary for the observer dealing with personal challenges. Water as adaptive, continues moving forward. Almost like yogic breath work eases stress, watching water move can bring release. As I observed the water in these woodland environments, I allowed my camera lens the same fluidity I was experiencing in alternating viewpoints, from wide angle through the increments to close up. I observed within myself how the various spacial qualities translated. While the wide angle expansive views opened me internally, the increments dialing down were not as common and those were where I found place the doorway to mysticism.
To convey what I have been experiencing in co-creating with Waterways, I began focusing on the water with intimate vignettes, rather than typical wide angle landscape views. I found this framing highlights the delicate interplay between water and elements affecting and being affected by its movement. Intuitively I felt enlarging these intimate close up frames was the perspective to share in public exhibition with the impact of juxtaposition in scale. For me, it accentuates the shape shifting abstract wonder and magic I have found within a creative dance in space and time. None of the elements are separate from constant change or the duality of conditional cycles such as abundance to scarcity that move through increments and extremes. It is a reminder that there is a greater intelligence at play, in all dimensions, creating incredible beauty and balance.
Woodland waterways have shown me that common existence can be transcended into the realms of the magical through natural Alchemy. It is an organic process weaving multi sensory and multi dimensional dynamics together that is perpetual regardless of conditions. As I continue my relationship with woodland waterways, I have increased my walking radius and relationship with Water. My experiences thus far while working with Water in these woodland landscapes have been very healing and expansive with the addition of unfolding transcendental portals where time and location transform. I can be walking in a stream in Ohio and virtually connect with the energies of Water thousands of miles away or thousands of years ago, or worlds and influences beyond. For sure, Nature and Water are sources of endless beauty and creative inspiration whatever dimension one experiences. I invite viewers to join me for a walk, sit by the water’s edge and just be with the FLOW.
Selections of FLOW 5 (C)2024 Karen Ollis Photo desktop view click on individual frames to enlarge.
FLOW is created by Karen Ollis as a ongoing body of fine art photography. Karen works with several types of digital cameras on location documenting water and the actual conditions in Nature. There is no staging, no additional lighting, no photoshop manipulation nor is there artificial intelligence rendering. Locations of rivers and creeks range from CLE MetroParks Reservations in Bedford, Brecksville, Hinckley, Millstream, North and South Chagrin, North and South Rocky River, Summit MetroParks as well as numerous areas within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
FLOW prints are offered for the serious collectors in high quality archival materials and presentation forms that are elegant and simple. Other options are offered for art lovers seeking displays that are more contemporary (Metal) and those that wish to matt and frame themselves. Included with each print purchased is Certificate of Authenticity acknowledging Karen R. Ollis as photographic artist originator. All images are protected by Copyright Laws by being filed with the Library of Congress. Usages beyond display only, are negotiated through Karen Ollis for licensing specific to each situation resulting in limited usage rights for a limited term of time.
Karen R Ollis, Fine Art Photographer, Years active 1982 to present.
For 42 years I have been producing fine art photography for exhibition and publication while also maintaining advertising and editorial photography business creating for national and international clients.
Bodies of fine art photography on large format transparency film:
The Night- Los Angeles 1982-1985 Exhibited in LA
Spirits of Nature, Part 1 of Passages of the Dreamtime 1992-1994 Exhibited nationally in group and solo, Published Book
Sacred Geometry, Part 2 of Passages of the Dreamtime 1994-1996 Exhibited selected pieces nationally in group and solo
Temple of Alchemy, Part 3 of Passages of the Dreamtime 1996-1998 Exhibited select pieces nationally in group and solo
Rock Hall of Fame-commissioned 1994
Icons and Idols 1996
The Art of Being an Artist, collection of portraits 1991-2000
Bodies of fine art photography digital platforms:
Natural Shapes 2002-2008 Published Book
Zen Nature 2008-2010 Internet
Grandmother Moon 2010-2014 Represented Karis Art Gallery, Hilton Head Is. So. Carolina, Internet
Musing- Natural Movements 2014-2016 Internet
Land of the Stone Spirits-Scotland 2016 Internet
FLOW 2020-present Internet, Calendars, Booklet, select images included in group exhibitions, May Show 2023 Lakeland Community College May Show 2024 Mansfield Art Center, NewNow24 Artist Archives of the Western Reserve.
Participation in numerous national and local group exhibitions, several solo exhibitions, awards and honors. Inclusion in the Contemporary Art Collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cooper Hewitt National Museum of Design, Smithsonian Institute.
Available of group exhibitions. All inquiries can be made to the studio via email karen@ollisphoto.net or phone 216-403-2396
See selection videos on EarthBoundPress pg2 link button at bottom of this page
