Charleston Streets & Gardens

"I have a severe case of wanderlust, but I think if I were marooned in Charleston it would be wonderful. Take a short stroll down any of our quaint streets and you'll see breathtaking & awe inspiring delights. Come let us inspire you"

- Karen

Marshes & Landscapes

"In the South, the clouds in our sky are a huge part of our landscape. They sometimes play a starring role. Our skies around the Islands here are so vibrant. They're important to us, soothing, stirring & inspiring. I am struck by the beauty around me and I want to capture it and am so happy when I'm painting out on Kiawah or Seabrook or Sullivans Island."

- Karen

Poppies, Florals & Interiors

"My poppies are inspired by the Contessa Hamilton's farm in Tuscany. The poppies would already be wilting by the time I would arrive in June to teach a painting class there. One glorious year when the weather had been particularly rainy, I was greeted with bountiful stands of red Italian poppies. Wild, growing everywhere. Lovely. The students and I spent loads of time studying them, painting them, picking and wearing them. Poppies continue to be a great inspiration to me, now working their way onto ever larger canvases."

- Karen

Wildlife & Domestic Animals

"The animals I paint include the shore birds that grace our harbors and soar over our marshes, Cows from ranches around the South and Roosters - of my Party Animal Series - from Rosebank Farms at Kiawah Island, SC." 

- Karen

Italian, French & Other European Scenes

"It's been a dream come true to be invited to teach and paint in Italy & France. I never understood why people returned to Europe every year. Now I thoroughly understand. Italy is a loving, lush, rich, vibrant, sensuous landscape. For several years we stayed at a Contessa's farm in Tuscany, then I taught in a richly restored monastery, after that, I taught in a real working monastery on Lake Garda and most recently I've been teaching at a Grand Family Villa in San Giovanni d'Asso. Many of my smaller paintings are from those trips, the larger ones, done upon my inspired return. 

- Karen 

Hope Town, Abacos & Other Islands

"A decade ago, I had never heard of the Abaco Islands. After selling the house and moving aboard a boat (aptly named Plein Air), I set out exploring them. Titles like Hope Town, Marsh Harbour, Great Guana, Mermaid Rocks and Lubbers Cay grace the paintings from these tiny Bahamian Islands. It was an incredible two year journey through the quaint, sparsely occupied islands."

- Karen

Nautical Scenes & Great Harbors of the World

"At the water's edge or on a boat is where I have felt the most at home. Before my odyssey of living aboard for 8 years, I  could be found painting on the docks at marinas. There's something magical about boats; maybe it’s the symbolism of a journey or adventure yet to unfold? Or the excitement and the possibility of a little danger? It was certainly one of the most exciting adventures I've had."

- Karen

Ballet, Figures & Romanic Nudes

"My love affair began with ballet as a child when I was given a hand- me -down tutu. Many years ago I took a course at the Gibbes Museum where we sketched during ballet rehearsals. Inspired by that experience, I hired the dancers to pose in my studio which led to shooting photos during performances at the Charleston Ballet. Having the opportunity to observe the dancers backstage during performances is so inspiring. My paintings of dancers, children on the beach and of romantic nudes are always small in scale, but are a big passion of mine."

 - Karen

North American Travels

"I love traveling around the country - up and down the coast, from Maine to Florida, to the North Carolina Mountains and all the way to California. Traveling inspires me and I almost never take a trip without my painting supplies. My little paintings are like road maps of where I've been."

- Karen

Restaurants, Bars, Oysters & Still Lifes

"With Charleston being such a foodie town, it's only natural for me to want to paint our restaurants and bars and the lovely dishes that come out of them. I find it inspiring to watch what's going on in the kitchen or at the tables nearby while I'm enjoying a night out. I love walking by the windows of restaurants at night and peeking in to see our vibrant night life unfolding."

- Karen