An American Journey

by Richard Olsenius

Route 66 Roadside Cafe, I-40, Arizona and New Mexico border. ©2024 Richard Olsenius

Route 66, known as the "Main Street of America," is an iconic U.S. highway established in 1926, stretching about 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, California. It played a crucial role in westward migration during the Dust Bowl and symbolizes freedom and adventure. The highway helped small towns grow, attracting travelers with unique attractions, diners, motels, and landmarks like the Gemini Giant, Wigwam Motel, and Cadillac Ranch.

Its importance diminished with the Interstate Highway System's rise in the 1950s, leading to Route 66's decommissioning in 1985. However, many segments remain preserved as historic routes, attracting enthusiasts and tourists. Today, Route 66 is celebrated through festivals and museums, representing America's passion for the open road and evoking nostalgia for bygone times. SEE MORE AMERICANA

Marion Warren’s Final Artist’s Proof Collection Sale

Marion Warren Signed prints — Warren Black & White

Released Final Signed Artist Proof

Marion Warren Color Photography — Warren Color Work

Final Signed Artist Proofs

I, Richard Olsenius, of American Landscape Gallery, am honored to announce my release and sale of the collection of M. E. Warren signed black & white and color artist proofs. I was the only authorized printer of Warren’s iconic photographs from 2002 until Marion’s death in 2006. Our collaboration produced some of the highest quality art prints of Warren’s career as stated by Warren himself. All of his prints were compared against these signed masters before their release. These are the only remaining set of signed Warren Master Artist Proofs,

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A Photographer’s Search for Small Town Values

An American Journey is a visual poem to rural America, the values that once grounded it and the changes in those values brought on by the Make America Great Again movement.

By Richard Olsenius

As a photographer who spent years covering rural America, I never saw it coming, the “great divide,” that chasm between urban and rural, liberal and conservative, the loss of civility and social norms that we all grew up with.

I was shocked when I heard Donald Trump insult John McCain, a veteran who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam for over five years. It seems that we should have one norm we can all agree upon, respect for our men and women who serve in the armed forces.

Surely we should not disparage them or turn them into political jokes. With this video, I hope that viewers will see how much we have to be thankful for, how much still brings us together and unites this country rather than divides it.

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Explore The Work

Journey with National Geographic photographer, Richard Olsenius — JOURNEYS

A collection of videos and stories by Richard Olsenius. Some are 4k video to stream to Apple or smart TV.

Collections of Richard Olsenius's photography in Museums and Books — COLLECTIONS

A compendium of Richard Olsenius’s photography that has been shown in museums or published in books.

Fine art prints & music created by Richard Olsenius and Marion Warren signed proofs. — PRINTS

Fine art prints by Richard Olsenius along with Marion Warren signed proofs.

Featured

Explore the American West with National Geographic photographer Richard Olsenius — THE AMERICAN WEST

EXPLORE THE AMERICAN WEST AND THE PEOPLE THAT CALL THIS HOME

EXPLORE

As a photojournalist for over 50 years, I was always drawn to the American West, to the rolling prairies beyond the Missouri River, to a land that slowly rose to meet the continental divide.

NOVA SCOTIA

A LAND OF WIND-SWEPT COASTS & SMALL FISHING VILLAGES

11 MIN VIDEO

Nova Scotia boasts breathtaking coastal landscapes, characterized by rugged cliffs, picturesque lighthouses, and charming fishing villages. Join me as I explore in narration, images and music, this rich maritime culture.

Remembrance

American Landscape Gallery is committed to telling the stories created by many different landscapes and to remembering those events that have impacted our world.

CAMBODIAN GENOCIDE

Cambodian Genocide - Story of the late 1970’s genocide and exodus of millions of Cambodia Refugees.

THE STORY

My photographic career has centered on interpreting landscapes; social and political, as well as geographical. Landscapes have multiple stories to tell. While I have photographed the American West and Canadian parks, I have also covered the anti-war demonstrations of the 1960’s and the white flight from our urban communities during the Civil Rights struggle. And in the late 1970’s I covered the impacts of social and political upheaval in Cambodia that resulted in one of the 20th Century’s worst instances of genocide. Shadows in the Sun is the photographic story of that landscape of tragedy and the international humanitarian effort to address it. This is what authoritarian governments and autocratic leaders can offer. We have ample proof from our past and present.