“I’ve always been excited about color. At five, I was an early graffiti artist with lots of art materials. My favorite was big sticks of chalk. I’d cover huge areas in the back alley behind my home in colorful designs. When the rain washed everything away ... I’d start all over.” Forever memories. Karen was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 25th. As a teen, she studied painting and drawing with Edward Saffell, a reputable 1960s artist. After completing her BA in Art/Education at Towson University, Karen worked as a professional artist and taught in public and private schools. In 1986, she visited Santa Fe, New Mexico for the first time. The beautiful skies, the unique light, and incredible landscapes attracted her. It’s very large art scene appealed. Karen continues to reside in Santa Fe with her family and creates her visions from her personal studio. Her work has been published and exhibited in numerous galleries in the United States with many worldwide admirers and collectors.“I create from the uniqueness of my soul, trying to keep my mind free of dogmatic images. My goal is to paint part of my unexpressed self. I do this by layering many translucent, vibrant hues, which create new spectrums, shapes, and compositions. My work is organic and flows into unpredictable changes. It is geometric and balanced. I don’t want to impose preconceived notions on the viewer. My wish is, for one to let go of every thought, clear the mind, and just absorb. I want the viewer to connect with each piece and feel a mutual, visual heartbeat. It’s a gift to be able to share my talents. ‘To create one’s own world in any of the arts takes courage. —Georgia O Keeffe.’”