In FLOWportal, Karen Ollis transforms years of meditative walks, photographic devotion, and deep listening to freshwater tributaries into a layered, contemplative work that invites presence, reverence, and responsibility. What began as a single moment of awe at a woodland stream evolved into an expansive study of water as living intelligence—one that reshapes how time, creativity, and awareness are experienced. Through image, reflection, and seasonal rhythm, FLOWportal asks readers not just to observe water, but to relate to it, recognize its irreplaceable role in life, and feel called to protect the fragile freshwater systems that sustain both our environment and future generations.
Karen, you’ve spent years creating FLOW as an ongoing meditative study of water — what first drew you to work so intimately with freshwater tributaries, and how did that exploration eventually lead to creating the FLOWportal book?
As I explain in my Book, one of my favorite activities is walking in nature because it’s not only beautiful but grounding. 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. Early on in the process of creating the FLOW imagery, I felt that part of it would become a book. I tucked that idea into back of my mind but didn’t concentrate on it. Rather I just went about following my intuition and creating what I felt called to with no pressure no time¬line. When I felt called to design the book I sat down with over 25,000 files allowing Water to tell me what it wanted to say through me.
FLOW centers on water as a living, ever changing energy that invites presence — how has working so closely with water shaped the way you experience time, creativity, and the present moment?
From my experience I would say that experiencing the present moment happens before you experience any more dimensional aspects of time. In order to be in the present moment your awareness must be engaged and anchored in feeling the sensations of that Moment, visually, auditory, kinesthetically so that one is aware of all sights, sounds and feelings found in the moment. Being present means you are on the organic time¬line and not the artificial which is rooted more in technology. Water is on the organic timeline as it represents being present by the essential properties of its existence witnessed in its movements regardless of speed including what appears to be stagnant. In order to engage water’s creativity one must be present to observe the subtle nuances of what seems to me to be an “intelligence”. Once solidly anchored into the present it is possible to slide between dimensions of time moving forward and backwards as well as locations. Water has memory. Water has transformative energies that can move into the future as well as around the world. It can be a vehicle for telepathy besides a life giving elemental. For me Water is truly connected to the Source of all creation. I don’t know how else to put it.
Photographing water requires patience and sensitivity to constant change — what challenges and revelations emerged for you while trying to capture something that is never the same twice?
At first I wondered how productive it would be for me to follow my intuition in visiting certain locations repeat¬edly but I soon found out that there was a reason, it was relationship building. Each area had specific charac¬teristics in terrain, bedrock, vegetation, light etc. and all those elements would change for one moment to the next. Then add in weather and seasonal conditions with the area and the elements within the environment. Through the observation of those repeated visits I saw the manner in which change occurred and the various speeds. Rather than verbally discussing change, when you are photographically documenting areas even artistically, it carries a different weight to it because it articulates change and evolution emphatically. We are living in an interval of accelerated environmental change where no one nor any living creature is exempt from these changes. It is imperative we understand what is happening and how best to cope with it for longevity and survival. Photographically, I am on consecutive frame mode to catch incrementally the slightest change.
The book weaves together images, personal reflection, and a seasonal rhythm — how do you hope readers and viewers will engage with FLOWportal beyond simply looking at the photographs?
It is my hope that the beauty will remind viewers that Nature and specifically Water is so important to our ex¬istence as the Earth is our home. Water is essential to life. Many people consider their houses their domicile, however, without a healthy Earth, without healthy Water we have nothing. As people go through my book and engage the rhythms of Water in movements and reflective designs, seasonal template of the organic timeline, they have the opportunity to engage an expansive experience. Afterwards when they go on Nature walks they will begin to really see Water as it truly is not an intellectual idea of what someone thinks water looks like. Once people really appreciate Water, all its benefits to us and all creatures of Earth, then hopefully they will be moved to protect freshwater and the many tributaries it flows through. When people find value, not monetary but intrinsic value, they are more motivated by gratitude to protect and preserve- that is what this project is about. Engaging and appreciating Water because without a healthy environment your kids and your grandkids do not stand a chance. That is not hyperbole but truth. Water’s properties and components cannot be repli¬cated artificially. At the rate we are going future generations will be in plastic bubbles far removed from the out of doors. My hope is that readers will get present with real earth based organic values changing the trajectory to a healthy environment where Water in all its natural forms is pristine.
You describe this project as an act of gratitude and homage to public lands and local waterways — what role do preservation, place, and stewardship play in your work as an artist today?
It plays a tremendous role in educating the public about the significance of our freshwater tributaries and their health. That is why I wrote and designed the book to connect at various levels of understanding. In realizing not everyone wants to explore the depths that I have, I layered the book at differing levels of comprehension as a respectful choice point based on my teaching background. We are at a collision point of ideologies glob¬ally with tremendous economic pressures being placed on communities and their adjacent natural resources. Major threats coming from Oligarchs and Politicians jockeying for control of mineral, land and water rights. Data Centers consume vast amounts of water and cause pollution. We must protect our water sheds while deescalating technology and destruction of our natural world. Focusing on sustainable agriculture would go a long way to reducing environmental destruction. We have many new innovative solutions coming online daily and we must vet them accurately for longterm viability. Because I’ve witnessed what I have, even as an artist, it makes it imperative that I voice my concerns and need for community support to make sure we are actively protecting our freshwaters and our home, the Earth. Our public lands are the greatest investment and trust for future generations make no mistake on that. Holistic values must prevail over greed.
Links:
- https://www.instagram.com/karenollisphoto/
- https://www.ollisphoto.net/fineartflow
- https://www.ollisphoto.net/flowportalbook
F L O W portal, photographed and written by Karen Ollis, 120 pages, 11×8.5 inches folded, full color.
Available for purchase: Soft Cover Book $125.00 plus media rate shipping, ISBN: 978-0-9796967-2-5
