Karen Cruickshank considers herself a textural abstract colorist; she creates abstract and abstracted-landscape oil paintings, employing rich textures and powerful infused colors. Many of her inspirations are pulled from nature, others are emotional expressions of her life and society. She aims to present her canvases in uniquely captivating ways, hoping each viewer sees something different, something personal. Her works are often created in layered stages, adding complexity and intrigue to the finished pieces.

Karen was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1961 and began receiving art instruction as a child. She was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key and earned her Bachelor of Arts from Arizona State University. After placing second in a national toy competition, she was recruited by Mattel Toys in California as a toy designer. Karen later freelance designed for Disney, Hasbro, and Galoob toys. She taught art and art history in Portland, Oregon for twenty years, and is now a professional artist painting at her Sonoran Desert studio in Arizona.

Karen’s art has been selected in national and international juried competitions, and her paintings have been sold and exhibited internationally. Four of her works have been displayed at the US Embassies in Bucharest, Romania; Brunei Darussalam; and Yaoundé, Cameroon.