about the artist

Karen was born and raised in the wine country of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Drawing and sketching throughout her life, Karen joined a small art school, situated in an old wine cellar, after being consumed by a desire to paint.

A few years later she relocated with her family to California, and continued to paint. She attended a course in painting and color at the college of Marin, and soon after, moved to Santa Barbara.

Karens rich, earthy color palette of chocolate browns, olives, ochres and burnt reds has now been complimented with vibrant blues and greens from the ocean, reflecting the influence of her Southern California lifestyle. Her favorite subjects of horses, rolling hills with shanty houses and chickens, have now been accompanied by beach walkers with dogs, seabirds, sailboats and surfers.

Karens work has been described as "earthy, soulful and primitive,yet sohisticated."
Her paintings have been featured on the cover of Robert Redford's Sundance Catalog, and can be found in homes across the United States, in Canada, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina.