About

Inspired by the colors and light of coastal landscapes, Karin Olah combines hand-dyed fabric and paint to create her signature multi-layered paintings. Karin’s subject matter ranges from seascape to abstract expressionism to a dreamy place in-between.

Born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Karin combines an interest in quilt making, a BFA from Maryland Institute College of Art, a background in fashion design in NYC, and an ever-growing fabric collection to add layers of texture, depth, and color to her work. 

Her work has been on the cover of Charleston Magazine and featured in House & Garden Magazine, Southern Living Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Elements of Style Blog, American Contemporary Art Magazine, Charleston Style & Design, and Coastal Isles Magazine.

Karin's art is represented at:
Gregg Irby Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia
Hillary Whitaker Gallery in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Liz Lidgett Gallery in Des Moines, Iowa

Her art is in public collections at Medical University of South Carolina, Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic Florida, The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, and Ilya Corporation in Japan.

Karin is the 2023 Featured Artist at "Art on the Beach", hosted by Charleston Pro-Bono on Sullivans Island, South Carolina.

She was the 2015 Griffith/Reyburn Lowcountry Artist of the Year Award. She served on the board of Redux Contemporary Art Center, 2008 - 2011.

Karin has lived in Boulder Colorado, Brooklyn New York, Hilo Hawaii, Baltimore Maryland, Lititz Pennsylvania, and Manasquan, New Jersey. Charleston has been home since 2003 where she along with her husband Craig Knowlton and their 2 daughters enjoy going to the beach, playing golf, hiking in the woods, and chasing after a naughty labradoodle named Charlie.

Karin Olah, Charleston artist, art studio, painting and textiles, fabric collage

Working in her home studio on James Island, 2023

 

Karin Olah, Charleston artist, fiber artist, painter, home art studio, James Island, with Charlie the Labradoodle, art studio dog

Charlie the Labradoodle - studio pet, UPS greeter, treat getter

Karin Olah's children being silly in her studio

 Silly kiddos at Slate Studios in The Cigar Factory, 2020

 

"Sea Wall" Original by Karin Olah, 2018, Acrylic + Textiles on Canvas, 6 ft x 20 ft, collection of Meeting Street Lofts, Charleston South Carolina

 

Charleston Magazine, February 2016, Cover Artist Karin Olah

Cover Artist, Charleston Magazine, February 2016

 

Redux Studios, image from Travel and Leisure Magazine, 2011

Redux Contemporary Art Center in 2011, Photo: Travel and Leisure Magazine