Artist Emily Gray Koehler is presenting her exhibition "Under the Canopy" at the Confluence Gallery, featuring printmaking works inspired by woodland experiences and nature observations.

Koehler, who maintains a studio in Northeast Minneapolis, draws inspiration from her childhood in Northern Lower Michigan and visits to local natural areas including the Wildlife Refuge and River Valley. The exhibition focuses on capturing both intimate forest details and the broader experience of being immersed in woodland environments.

The artist specializes in reduction woodcut printmaking, a technique involving successive carving and printing layers to create vibrant, multi-colored images on paper. According to Koehler, the process requires precision as woodcut techniques are "not terribly forgiving" and mistakes cannot easily be corrected.

Koehler's artistic process involves working on multiple pieces simultaneously, allowing time for prints to dry between layers while continuing work on other projects. Each print requires careful registration to ensure subsequent color layers align properly with previous prints.

The winter exhibition offers viewers an opportunity to experience woodland imagery from various seasons, providing what Koehler describes as a chance to "warm up and think about those growing things" during the cold months.