Karen was awarded a certificate for painting in the parks with an artist who taught her how to paint scenes of the woods. She continued by doodling and sketching for many years but did not take any lessons until her first workshop when she had her first child in 1976. She then continued with a workshop here and there until she joined the Wednesday Group In Parksville and area and also the Decosmos Fine Arts Society in about 1980. Learning from each other and hosting workshops, some of them with members of the Federation of Canadian Artists was inspiring. Karen won awards for her painting, Mount Arrowsmith and was able to attend the 1986 Festival of the Arts in Prince George where she was again inspired by Robert Genn and got to see Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Life presents challenges and Karen had to find full-time work and move from the family home she had helped to create. She continued outdoor sketching when possible and was again able to be settled enough to take workshops at the Senior's Centre in New Westminster and Place des Arts in Coquitlam. After retiring from her teaching position in New Westminster, Karen moved with her husband to the Comox Valley where she has thoroughly enjoyed friendship, sharing, developing her art and selling it again, with several art groups, especially as a member of the Pearl Ellis Gallery in Comox and Artsphere Comox Valley.