​​Karen initially trained and worked as a printed textile designer . She gained a BA Hons Degree in Printed Textiles at Middlesex Polytechnic in 1989 and worked for many years in London for one of the leading textile design studios in the UK. Establishing herself as one of their top selling designers and becoming Head designer during her time with the studio. Karen created for both fashion and furnishing fabrics for companies such as Laura Ashley, Miss Selfridge, Monsoon and Fenn Wright & Manson. She also was commissioned to design ceramics and tableware for the home store Habitat. After moving back to her home county of Kent, England in 2004 with her family, Karen was able to follow her long held desire to paint. Her background as a designer has certainly been an influence in how she interprets her subject.

About the work


Her work is a personal response and reflection, a memory of place. Karen works mainly in acrylic and mixed media, on canvas and paper, also using collage which has become intrinsic to her work. Her painting is driven by a love of colour also mark making, texture and abstract form. Karen's work has a strong sense of movement and feeling of space.The main inspiration for Karen's work comes from the landscape, the coast, her garden and home.

 " Its quite difficult to pin down what particular one thing inspires me. It might be a group of trees I spot on the horizon, a colour of a field I pass or crops creating patterns in the land. Its the strong connection to a place that gets under my skin. Holding that image in my head somehow translates onto the canvas. I often start a piece of work without much idea of what it will be suddenly from a sweep of colour, that memory starts to unfold in the painting."

Karen is represented by a number of UK galleries. Her work is owned by collectors nationally and internationally. Some of Karens prints are also available from John Lewis Partnership and also art print specialists King & McGaw. Karen is a selected member of the Rye Society of Artists.

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2019

Rye Society of Artists Summer Exhibition, Rye, East Sussex

South East Open Studios, 5 artists

Where the Light Dances, Joint show with Kate Schuricht,  Padstow Gallery, Cornwall

Fresh Art Fair, with West End House Gallery, Cheltenham Race Course

Rye Society of Artists Spring Show, Rye Gallery, East Sussex

2018

Kent Painters Group Annual Exhibition, Sevenoaks, Kent

Affordable Art Fair, Battersea Park, London

Rye Society of Artists, Summer Show, Rye, East Sussex

West End House Gallery, Summer Show, Smarden, Kent

Artologie, featured artist, Cuckfield, Haywards Heath

Rye Society of Artists Spring Show, Rye Gallery, East Sussex

2017

 Kent Painters Group Annual Exhibition, Sevenoaks, Kent

Affordable Art Fair with West End House Gallery, Battersea Park, London

A Collective View, West End House Gallery, Smarden, Kent

 Rye Society of Artists Summer Show, Rye, East Sussex

South East Open Studios with Kate Schuricht

Rye Society of Artists Spring Show, Rye Art Gallery, East Sussex 

Smallhythe Studio, Six of the Best, Tenterden, Kent

2016

Pure Autumn Art Fair,Selected Artists, Battle, East Sussex

Kent Painters Group Annual Exhibition, Sevenoaks, Kent

Affordable Art Fair with Avery Contemporary Art, Battersea Park, London

 Hybrid Gallery, Ten Summers in the country, Honiton, Devon

 Rye Society of Artists Summer Show, Rye, East Sussex

South East Open Studios with Kate Schuricht

Rye Society of Artists Spring Show, Rye Art Gallery, East Sussex

2015

West End House Gallery, Group Christmas Exhibition, Smarden, Kent

VK Gallery, Group Autumn Exhibition, St Ives, Cambridgeshire

Kent Painter's Group Annual Exhibition, Sevenoaks, Kent

 Colour Dance, Solo Show, West End House Gallery, Smarden, Kent

Rye Society of Artists Summer Show, Rye, East Sussex

SeeArt Fair, Tunbridge Wells with Gallery Gunn 

South East Open Studios 

 Rye Society of Artists Spring Show, Rye Art Gallery, East Sussex 

Affordable Art Fair, London with The Art Agency Gallery

VK Gallery, Group Spring Exhibition, St Ives, Cambridgeshire 

 Art Agency Gallery, January Featured Artist, Esher, Surrey

2014

West End House Gallery, Group Christmas Exhibition, Smarden, Kent

Kent Painter's Group Annual Exhibition, Sevenoaks, Kent 

Autumn Pure Art Fair, selected artists show, Battle, East Sussex

Art Agency Gallery, Group Summer Exhibition, Esher, Surrey

Rye Society of Artists, Group Summer Exhibition as Guest Artist, Rye, East Sussex

Smallhythe Studio, Pairs Exhibition, group show, Smallhythe, Kent

Rye Art Gallery, Group Summer Exhibition, Rye, East Sussex

South East Open Studios

Pilgrims Way Artists Group Annual Exhibition, Lenham, Kent

West End House Gallery, Solo Show, Colour Storm, Smarden, Kent 
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