A mother and grandmother, Karen was born and raised in Hamilton Ontario and has always been interested in art. Taking private drawing lessons as a child; specializing in art studies throughout high school; and earning Honours Certificates in Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced Visual Arts through Mohawk College’s Continuing Education Program allowed her to kept art a central component in her life.

Karen also earned 5 other Honours Certificates through Mohawk College including Technical Illustration, Not for Profit Management, Volunteer Management, Fundraising Development and Special Events Planning. She retired in 2020 after working for 15 years with a not-for-profit Industrial Environmental Association to focus all her energy into her art practice.

Karen originally worked as a mechanical draftsperson and technical illustrator which required precise, clean and uncluttered work. This (un)fortunately has had a huge impact on her current work as she strives for precision and perfection in each painting. However, nature is never perfect so she is learning to accept the flaws and just enjoy the process.

She most enjoys detailed paintings of native botanicals, birds and animals and has shown in exhibitions throughout the GTHA and in China where a number of her pieces remain in private and public collections.