Artwork copyright Earl Olsen. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Pacific Madrone - Pattern, 1988

Earl Olsen
American (born 1936)

Location: John C. Thomas Middle School, Cathlamet

About the Artwork

Photographer Earl Olsen captured Pacific Madrone - Pattern while walking through Washington Park in Anacortes, Washington. This park looks out over the Puget Sound and is forested with Pacific Madrone trees. Madrones feature distinctive layers of bark. The outer layer curls like paper to reveal a bright green trunk underneath. Olsen notes, "As a photographer, the challenge is to see and create in a unique and personal way. Through the use of strong compositional design and subject elimination, I attempt to create images that are pleasing to the eye, but also have an element of mystery - to challenge the viewer to look a little closer and figure out what it is."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Wahkiakum School District.

About the Artist

Northwest photographer Earl Olsen creates his images to "see the unseen in the commonplace that surrounds us every day." He lives and works on Whidbey Island, Northwestern Washington.