Karen Leffler discovered her passion for watercolor in 2008 when a friend invited her to “tag along” on a plein air outing at Lake Tahoe. An outdoor enthusiast and lifelong quilter, Karen initially resisted—until paper and brush were placed in her hands with the playful insistence, “Of course, if you’re with us, you must paint!” That day, a watercolorist was born, unleashing a creative passion she never knew existed. Since then, Karen has immersed herself in classes, workshops, and plein air painting, developing a vibrant, expressive watercolor style all her own. “I am like a sponge wanting to absorb everything I can,” she says. “Watercolor is my way of letting go of an outcome. It’s an adventure in allowing the water to do the work—creating wonderful surprises.” In 2021, Karen moved to Oregon and quickly fell in love with its coastal beauty—the beaches, sunsets, and forest trails that now inspire much of her work. “I feel truly blessed to live on the Oregon Coast where I have endless inspiration,” she reflects. Karen considers herself “rewired” rather than retired, joyfully devoting her days to painting scenes that capture the light, color, and emotion of the natural world. Her hope is that her work brings back fond memories of time spent along the Oregon Coast.