Karen studied Fine Art at both Belfast and Manchester. Specialising in hybrid printmaking, book art and sculpture; her work reflects an interest in habitat, architecture and literature. Using line and colour as a language to explore the parameters of printmaking, with symbolism as an allegory; deconstructing situations, fairy tales, nursery rhymes or poetry that are part of childhood and adult culture.

Karen his been represented in solo and group exhibitions both nationally and internationally to include Cannes, Germany, France, Luxembourg, America, Canada and Japan. In 2018 she was selected to join the prestigious Prism print international and was artist in Residence at Empreinte Atelier De Gravure, Luxembourg in 2019. She has received many awards and commissions from a variety of institutions and her work is represented in numerous public and private collections.