Karen Blessen
The thoughts, life, and creative process of an artist were revealed to the public in The Muck, the Seeds, the Weeds, the Blossoming: The Journals of Karen Blessen, an exhibit that featured 24 of Karen Blessen’s journals donated to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries Archives & Special Collections. The journals were on exhibit to the public for the first time from September 18 through February 2026. We invite you to see the digitized collection of the Karen Blessen Journals.
“We are deeply honored and grateful to receive this generous donation from a Pulitzer Prize–winning artist and UNL alum. Karen’s materials are more than a gift—they are a gateway for students, scholars, and readers to engage with journaling, the visual process, and art and memoir at its highest level,” said Richard Graham, chair of Teaching Partnerships at UNL Libraries. “This unique collection offers insight into the creative process and spirit and will inspire creativity and meaningful dialogue for generations to come.”
Born and raised in Columbus, Nebraska, Blessen graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1973 and became an artist, writer, and freelancer for 10 years before working at the Dallas Morning News (DMN) from 1984 to 1989. While at the DMN, Blessen became the first graphic artist to win a Pulitzer Prize (1989) as part of a story team that produced the special section “Anatomy of an Air Disaster: The Final Flight of 50 Sierra Kilo,” which explained why the airliner crashed. In 2005, she founded 29 Pieces, an arts organization based in Dallas, Texas, and she serves as its executive artistic director. 29 Pieces developed an arts-based curriculum, “Artists Making a Kinder World,” which is used by more than 1,500 teachers in 24 states and Washington, D.C.
Blessen’s journaling began after graduation and by 2025 her consistent practice had produced more than 150 journals. In May of 2026, she donated 25 of the journals, ranging in date from 2016 to 2024, to Archives & Special Collections.
“It was an intuitive decision and need. I wanted them to be preserved,”
Blessen was also interested in exhibiting them to possibly inspire students to carry on the same practice. She has no qualms about openly revealing her soul, as the journals tell her story, but she has redacted parts that refer to other people.
“They [the journals] tell the good, the bad, and the ugly. They talk about my artistic life. They talk about my personal life, and they talk a lot about how I strategize to get through these real gut punches, the times that are really hard, and how I don't get too elated when something wonderful happens. The journals have given me a way to chart my path,” said Blessen.
The journals and display emphasized a gardening metaphor.
“I'm a gardener, and the metaphor of gardening has directed my artistic life and my life as a leader of a nonprofit arts organization,” explains Blessen. “There's so much to learn from nature as far as lessons in symbiosis, in mutualistic relationships, in tolerance and patience.”
When viewing the journals online, Blessen mentioned that one would encounter a couple things she does while journaling, including pages that show where she poses a question and then writes the answers using both hands to activate different parts of the brain. The second thing to look for throughout the journals is the persistent Jesus Prayer, which Blessen says serves several purposes.
“It's an ancient prayer that I say or write a lot. ‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us,’ or ‘have mercy on me’,” explained Blessen. “It serves the purpose of connecting me with the divine name in a very speedy way. It also, I feel, connects me with the millions of people who have said that specific prayer throughout the last centuries.”
This exhibit was a signature event of the Pages to Paths: A Celebration of Our Libraries initiative to celebrate our history, raise awareness, and co-create the future of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries with our communities.
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