Karen was born and raised on a farm in the wine region of Stellenbosch, South Africa. She has been drawing and sketching throughout her life, when a decade ago, she was overwhelmed by a desire to paint. She enrolled at the Pieter Vermaak art academy situated in an old wine cellar on a historic farm, and learned to paint in oils.

Two years later, she re-located with her husband and family to California, continuing to paint and switching to acyrlics and adopting a more primitive, rustic style.

Karen's favorite colors are rich, earthy tones - chocolate browns, olive greens, rusts, reds and golds. Her many travels have provided her with a wealth of inspiration and most of what she paints are tapestries of her memories and imagination. Her favorite subjects are horses and landscapes with chickens and barns, which she says are calls back to Nature and simplicity for all people. "My paintings are reminders that we are connected to the earth and all living creatures, that in order to be happy we need to live simply and respectfully of our surroundings." Her paintings have been called a "breath of fresh air for people living in cities," and that they "exude a sense of peacefullness."

Karen currently lives with her family and animals in Santa Barbara where hiking and horse riding keep her connected to Nature, and constantly inspired to do what she loves most - paint.

Karen's work is represented by galleries around the country. Robert Redford selected Karen to be a featured artist in Sundance Magazine.