Karen grew up along the gulf coast of Florida and Charleston SC and currently lives in Charlottesville VA. 
A deep desire to create art began at a young age, which Karen's parents encouraged with art lessons and 
visits to art museums.  Her formal education was in business and she had a successful career as an 
accountant, but Karen's true passion was to create art. Eventually, Karen left her business career to devote 
all her time to art, a career step she has never regretted.

Karen is always learning, studying, practicing patience and keeping her commitment to her art exciting and 
challenging. She observes and translates her subjects using the artist's tools of color and light and strives to 
communicate to the viewer the feel of a place; the warmth of the day, the smell of the grass, the trees, the ocean
 spray, how the light and atmosphere changes colors. She hopes that her paintings take you to the places of 
their inspiration.

Karen Arthur's masterfully executed landscapes capture the luminescent beauty of the scenes she depicts. 
She uses a unique color palette to interpret light, with dramatic and stirring results. Strong compositions of 
organic lines subtly draw the eye to the horizon, while fluid brushwork implies studied detail. The final effect
is one of peacefulness and tranquility.