by Charles Spillar on Nov.06, 2009, under Tucson Art, arts
FEATURED ARTIST: Photographer, Karen A. Dombrowski-Sobel
From the moment she saw a print developing in a tray years ago she was entranced with the magic of photography. She learned early on to handle a negative in the darkroom and make it speak from her soul. Ever since that moment, she has followed her passion with her camera.
Karen’s award winning work certainly speaks for itself. Her vision seems to always come from somewhere inside herself as each of her subjects speak through her, revealing some meaning of itself and herself in the finished photograph.
She says the process of selecting the precise second to expose the film comes through a meditative process where her intuition takes over and light, form and feeling are transposed through her camera and herself. Her spiritual insight has given her an eye for the unusual from the ordinary. By viewing the images below you will SEE the unique professionalism she has achieved.
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For more examples of her photography visit her web site at: http://www.kadsphoto.com and view the many subjects she has captured. Everyday she is creating something new following her passion. The sensitive Portraits, unusual Textured Photographs and her Nude photos on her web page clearly demonstrate her uniqueness and sensitivity to her subjects.
Karen is presently focused on photographing trees and plants for an upcoming book titled: Visualizing a Greener Planet. She senses the urgency to show how important and beautiful trees are to our existence. She feels man’s effort to fulfill the desire for bigger homes and buildings, has been obliterating our natural growth. She hopes this new work will help create an intimate relationship with nature that the viewer can feel.
The photographer and her husband moved to Tucson from their former home in New York City a few years ago. The life changing 9/11 tragedies had a major effect on their lives since her husband was working on Wall Street as a stock trader a short distance from the World Trade Center collapse. He experienced first hand the horror of something that most of us can only imagine. In a few short minutes both their lives were changed forever.
It is obvious to anyone viewing Karen’s work the sensitivity coming through her images and the abundant love she has for her subjects. The Flux Gallery (2960 N. Swan Road, Suite 136) at Plaza Palomino and Arts Marketplace (40 W Broadway Blvd) are presently exhibiting her work.
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November 7th, 2009 on 9:22 am
I love her style of photograph.
November 7th, 2009 on 9:46 am
Wow, this stuff is great. I love her pictures of trees especially. She is clearly an artist as well as a photographer. Even with the small photos on a computer, one gets the sense of being right there next to the scene. We are fortunate to have her in Tucson.
November 7th, 2009 on 10:14 am
Great collection and what a talented, gifted photographer! Oh, I’m not saying that just because I am lucky enough to be Karen’s sister. But have to say, I’m very proud of her creative abilities and how she is able to capture the emotion of her subjects.
November 7th, 2009 on 10:21 am
Beautiful photos, I love the tree pictures and the little girls looking like angels. I especially love the textured tree, it is unlike anything else I have seen.
November 7th, 2009 on 10:23 am
“World’s Greatest Photographer”
Woodmere Daily Times
November 7th, 2009 on 11:31 am
Great Article!
November 7th, 2009 on 12:00 pm
I love Karen’s photography! Beautiful moods and settings, especially the Hummingbird and Beech trees.
November 7th, 2009 on 12:01 pm
I especially love “First Day at Nursery School.” You’re a talented artist.
November 7th, 2009 on 5:33 pm
Karen’s photography shows a rare talent attributable not only to her
her superb technical knowledge, but also to her skill and sensitivity as
a fine artist. Her compositions and creativity, with even the most
common of subjects, are truly remarkable.
November 7th, 2009 on 5:38 pm
Karen’s photography shows a rare talent attributable not only to her superb technical knowledge, but also to her skill and sensitivity as a fine artist. Her compositions and creativity, with even the most common of subjects, are truly remarkable.
November 7th, 2009 on 5:51 pm
I have know Karen for over 30 years and have enjoyed watching her talent grow. She is one of the best photographers/artists I know. I am excited for her success. She deserves all the attention and acknowledgement possible!!!!
November 7th, 2009 on 7:40 pm
Oh my! I am really touched by the beautiful things that have been said, first by Charlie in the article, and then by all of you who have responded. Thank you so much!!
November 7th, 2009 on 7:43 pm
I’ve known Karen for nearly a decade. She is not only inspiring as a photographer, but as a teacher, too. She encouraged me to show my photography here in New York when she was a gallery director, and has been a grand influence. Take a look at the wide variety of subjects that catch her eye; you’ll see something that inspires you as well.
November 7th, 2009 on 8:08 pm
gorgeous work! i especially love the hummingbird on its precious little nest. thank you for publishing this artist!
November 7th, 2009 on 8:10 pm
I was very lucky to have been able to display Karen’s beautiful work on my walls for years! She has a unique and very spiritual perspective of beauty in many forms.
November 7th, 2009 on 10:19 pm
The delicacy of the work of Karen moves, catches the eye, but mostly the millimeter second where captures the liquid essence of the souls, touch you with her magic personages.
All my respect for the great artist
November 8th, 2009 on 12:05 am
I have had the very good fortune of meeting Karen in New York City a few years ago – a friendship sparked and maintained by our passion for telling stories with pictures. What impresses me about her art is her range and point of view. Broad in breadth, delicate sensitivity of eye, compassion for our planet. I can’t wait to see her upcoming book Visualizing a Greener Planet. A great artist, and a very fine being, prolific as ever.
November 8th, 2009 on 12:51 am
Karen is a wonderful photographer no matter who or what she has in her sights!
p. savas
Nov. 8, 2009, 12:30 a.m.
November 8th, 2009 on 9:39 am
What a gift Karen shares with us in her work. I am inspired and encouraged by her honesty.
November 8th, 2009 on 1:09 pm
Beautiful photographs, great sensitivity. I especially felt captured in the moment of the child violinist.
November 8th, 2009 on 6:51 pm
Karen has an extraordinary facility in revealing her subjects with naturalness,sensitivity and complete lack of artifice. Her perspective is broad,family , community, even universally oriented, informed by love and a bedrock respect for her subject matter. As an aside, Karen is unfailingly generous in offering time and support to her fellow artists and the Tucson arts community. We are blessed to have her…..
sensitivity and complete lack of artifice. She has a broad perspective, informed by
,
November 8th, 2009 on 8:11 pm
This work is at once intimate and universal. In the environmental pictures, there is a clear message, but the viewer is not bludgeoned. The artist presents a beauty that combines strength and fragility — like the trees about which she cares so much.
November 9th, 2009 on 6:48 am
What i like is Karen’s ability to find the humanity in us all ,and the beauty that is all around us . If more people could see the world through her eyes , there would be peace worldwide. Please , show us more work !!
November 9th, 2009 on 6:49 am
If the world could see more of Karen’s beautiful work , this would be a happier planet .
November 9th, 2009 on 8:41 am
Karen’s photography is enlighteningly beautiful . It makes the viewer be still and really SEE the objects she is presenting.
Karen deeply cares about humanity and our planet, her love and concern is so evident when she photographs trees and other living creatures. The humming bird picture shows incredible artistic sensitivity…..Karen is my daughter.
November 9th, 2009 on 11:34 am
The beautiful photograph on Karen’s business card sent me to her website to see more of her work. I enjoyed the time I spent there amazed at her ability to capture some of nature’s grandeur.
What captured me today, however, was the slide of Julia Osinchuk that accompanies this article. My immediate response was one of shock. Shock that the essence of a person could be immortalized on film…but that’s exactly what Karen did.
November 9th, 2009 on 5:17 pm
I have known Karen for just one year, but have been privileged to watch her at work with her camera. Whether casually walking down the street to dinner, or strolling through a garden, it is fascinating to see what her eye sees. The artist’s eye picks up images most of us would never notice!
I am thrilled that Karen is getting more recognition!
November 10th, 2009 on 2:22 am
It is nice to have such a talented friend. I feel privileged to enjoy hikes with Karen & her camera. She has an amazing eye to pick up on the ordinary and turn it into something breathtakingly beautiful. Her work takes you right to the soul of the subject. I am so glad that her talent is being recognized here in the southwest and more people will be able to enjoy her work.
November 10th, 2009 on 9:32 am
I think it is wonderful that the Tucson Citizen showcases our local artists. Thank you Charles for choosing to write about Karen A. Dombrowski Sobel and share her special photography. Also, thank you for including the names of the two local galleries where her work is exhibited. Additionally, I think everyone reading this article should treat themselves to more of Karen’s talent by perusing through her website, which I just did. It’s amazing. In other words, the slide show presented here is just the frosting on the cake! http://www.kadsphoto.com
November 10th, 2009 on 3:29 pm
Karen’s photographs transport me back to the warmth and majesty of the southwest. It takes patience and talent to capture the essence of the land. I love her photos with the changing light and sky over the landscape. The desert is a precious place, and like Karen I hope it will be protected. Wishing Karen success with her new book.
November 11th, 2009 on 11:32 am
Karen’s talent is very special. She has a way of seeing to the heart of her subject, and can bring that vision out with her technical skills. Together it achieves a work of art that is enduring and unparalleled. I have been honored to have her worked with her.
November 11th, 2009 on 2:41 pm
I was at the Flux Gallery, and there are so many beautiful photo-images. Congratulations Karen!!
November 11th, 2009 on 3:37 pm
It was over many years, through Karen’s work, that I realized a camera could do so much more than simply duplicate an image on paper.
Eventually it occurred to me, that with the artistic gifts of the right photographer, it could capture a split second of essence, spirit and beauty; that elusive “living in the moment” thing we spend our lives trying to sustain.
I’m so proud of you Karen.
November 16th, 2009 on 9:28 am
i know karen many years. she is a beautiful person inside and out. her artwork reflects her feelings, her relationship with space and light. living in tuscon gives her art a new dimension. congrats karen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!