Caren Loebel-Fried is an artist and author from Volcano, Hawai`i, who learned the ancient art of block printing from her mother. Conservation and the natural world are her inspiration and the foundation of her work. Caren researches and explores storied places of Hawai’i, and studies native species and their habitats. She creates award-winning books for children through adults, and art for conservation organizations, government agencies, and Hawaiian Cultural organizations, providing educational materials about wildlife and conservation, and cultural connections.
Caren has always been obsessed with birds, and finds that they make excellent conservation ambassadors. Fun and fascinating, endemic birds teach us about the health of the forest and the ocean.
Caren volunteers on Midway Atoll as part of the yearly albatross census, studying albatrosses and other wildlife. She created iconic art for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service that celebrated Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, Battle of Midway Memorial, and Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. Other wildlife projects include creating iconic art for Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge on Kaua’i, and educational posters for Conservation Council for Hawai`i.
Through her art and books, Caren hopes to bring people closer to the natural world with the hope that they will want to help care for it.
