Dimensions: 14x26"

Medium: Fine art photography

Artist Statement: Capturing moments in time with my camera is my passion. I am drawn to whatever resonates with my creative soul. I search less and let my awareness draw me in. My current work reflects my life in northwest Colorado as well as my travels and friendships in countries around the world, and is often playful in its expression.

I have been an educator since 1968 and a photographic artist for 44 years. I’ve always been interested in alternative styles of creative photography including hand painting silver prints, Polaroid SX-70 manipulations, and digital multiple exposures. My current passion is the exciting world of iPhoneography. I believe the camera is a ‘tool’ to use in the lifelong process of self-discovery and personal growth. To that end, with my iPhone always nearby, I am free to respond, create and share my vision spontaneously while continuing my photographic and life journey.

I was fortunate to capture the two American White Pelicans in my piece, “Taking Off”, while kayaking on Steamboat Lake with my husband Joel, who helped by paddling slowly as we approached the pelicans. It’s not easy to creep up on wildlife on land and even more difficult while on the water! I made a number of exposures with my iPhone and amazingly was able to make this composition, which shows the wonderful Fetcher Barn and Sand Mountain in the background! This gorgeous 1,101 acre man made reservoir is only one of the important lakes and reservoirs in the Yampa Valley that support the riparian areas where we live. Not only is it the center of Steamboat Lake State Park’s many activities, it provides a home for numerous species of birds and other wildlife. Over all the years that Joel and I have been camping, hiking, cycling and kayaking in the park, we’ve observed not only these beautiful pelicans, but Sandhill Cranes, Great Blue Herons, Mallards, Canadian Geese, various gulls and many other birds and animals.

A Few Personal Thoughts: In 2007 I was challenged with breast cancer and believe that this experience and being a 17 year cancer survivor has helped me understand that art has the ability to touch us deeply in our most vulnerable moments and that art can play an important role in contributing to the healing process for people in stressful health situations. Additionally, photography, particularly of the natural world, is inspirational and healing for both the photographer as well as for the viewer. And because of this, I have been incredibly fulfilled to place my artwork in many doctor’s offices, medical centers and cancer treatment facilities, as well as private homes. I currently have a permanent installation of my photographs at the Jan Bishop Cancer Center here in Steamboat Springs.

Artist Bio: Karen Gordon Schulman is a 32 year resident of Steamboat Springs, Colorado and has been a photographic artist for 44 years. She has always been interested in alternative styles of photographic expression. From her hand-painted silver prints and Polaroid manipulations to digital multiple exposures and now, iPhoneography, “It’s not about the tool” is Karen’s philosophy.

Her formal education includes a Bachelor's degree from Penn State University and graduate work at Manhattanville College. Her fine art photography training was at UCLA and Otis Art Institute and she continues to study and experiment with different techniques. Karen was ahead of her time in seeing the potential of iPhones for photography. For the past 13 years, she has been leading workshops in Creative iPhoneography along with various other workshops and tours in the Yampa Valley, through her company, Focus Adventures.

Karen and her husband, Joel, currently lead international photo/cultural tours to Cuba, Ecuador, Morocco and Ireland through Strabo Photo Tour Collection (phototc.com). “I’m passionate about helping others grow through their photography,” Karen says. “When you allow yourself to ‘see’ with your mind, heart and spirit, life becomes more of an adventure and results in personal growth and self-discovery.”

Her fine art images are in many private and corporate collections, including those

of Graham Nash, Ernest Brooks, Dr. Rosanne Iversen and Steamboat Springs Family Medicine, the Agfa Corporation, the Jan Bishop Cancer Center at Yampa Valley Medical Center, and the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute in Meadville, PA. She is co-author of Steamboat Visions, the first-ever photographic book dedicated to Northwest Colorado. Karen is a Life Member of the American Society of Media Photographers and a member of the Texas Photographic Society, Steamboat Creates, and the North American Nature Photography Association.

Artist Website/Social media: http://www.focusadventures.com

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