Katherine Nelson

About the Artist

Katherine Nelson is a Maryland-based artist whose charcoal and graphite drawings document the heritage and visual poetry of rural landscapes. Grounded in field research and direct observation, her work explores the intersection of agriculture, sustainability, and cultural identity, drawing on her Danish farming lineage and extensive travels from the Palouse to Europe. Nelson’s art has been exhibited nationally and internationally—including at the U.S. Embassy in Brussels, the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, St. John the Divine Cathedral in NYC—and featured in publications such as Celebrating Palouse Country (WSU Press), East City Art, and Inlander Magazine. With over thirty years of teaching experience, she is also an advocate for arts education and creative stewardship.  

Artist's Statement

I draw to honor the land and the people who shape it. My work is rooted in field research—walking the furrows of the Palouse, tracing the lines of historic fields, and listening to the stories of those who tend the earth. Using charcoal and graphite, I translate these lived experiences into images that hold both the grit and grace of rural life. As a long-term caregiver, I have come to understand care as both a personal and communal act—one that extends from the home to the soil beneath our feet. This perspective shapes my commitment to sustainable agricultural practices and informs my belief that human health is inseparable from the health of our land. Born in Holland and raised across Europe and Turkey, I grew up immersed in a world of scientific inquiry and cultural discovery. My parents’ pioneering work and our family’s research adventures instilled in me a passion for connecting places with meaningful stories. Today, my drawings are shaped by this global perspective and a deep respect for agricultural heritage. In the studio, I “sculpt” with charcoal and graphite, layering marks and blending textures to capture the tactile presence of soil, stubble, and sky. My practice is a meditation on resilience, stewardship, and the enduring connection between human and ecological health. Through my art, I invite viewers to look beyond the surface—to see the poetry in cultivated land, the labor behind our food, and the stories embedded in place. My hope is to foster a deeper appreciation for the beauty, complexity, and care that sustain us all.