About me
I studied art at Worcester College of Art, but life soon led me into the world of healthcare. For many years, my pencils stayed untouched — until 2014, when a four-day pastel course rekindled the creative spark I thought I’d left behind.
Since then, I’ve been dedicated to the art of animal portraiture, working mainly in soft pastel and pastel pencil, and occasionally in acrylic and oils. I specialise in capturing the unique character of both wild and domestic animals, creating pieces that feel powerful, personal, and full of life.
I'm honoured to have completed many commissions, helping people across the globe preserve the spirit and memory of the animals they love. It’s a true privilege to be asked to portray a companion or creature that holds such meaning.
My work has been exhibited locally, and I’ve also run pastel workshops, sharing my passion for this beautiful medium and helping others discover its potential. I love pastel for its immediacy and softness, but also for the surprising precision and detail it allows — especially in fur, feathers, and expression.
Above all, I aim to create art that connects to the viewer —
"Art that connects you to the animal and preserves the memory for life."
To enquire about a commission or other work, click below..
Karen will guide you through every stage of the process, whether creating art as a gift to yourself or someone special, for the home,office or business.
Examples of Work
Commissions
I’m always happy to take on commissions — it’s a lovely way to create something personal and meaningful, whether it’s a much-loved pet, a special wildlife photo, or a memory you’d like to preserve in art.
I work from clear, good-quality photographs to capture the character and detail of each animal, adding my own artistic interpretation to bring the image to life in pastel. Every piece is carefully hand-drawn and unique to you.
Commissioning a portrait is a simple and relaxed process. Once you send over your photo(s), we’ll have a chat about what you’re hoping for — size, background, colour, etc. I’ll guide you through options and timeframes, and you’ll be updated as the work progresses.
Whether you’re looking for a gift, a memorial, or a special treat for yourself, I’d love to help turn your image into a lasting artwork.
20% deposit required, full payment on delivery.
Price will vary depending on size, medium and complexity.
Original Work
All of my original pieces begin with an idea — usually inspired by something that’s caught my eye or which has made me feel a connection to the animal in that moment. It might be the expression, the light, or just the character that shines through.And i do love a stripe!
I work from reference as a starting point, then build the artwork using layers of soft pastel or pastel pencil. My aim is to add something extra to the piece — to draw out the emotion, atmosphere, and detail that make each animal unique.
Sometimes I’ll use one reference, other times I’ll combine a few to get the right pose, background or composition. The process can take time, but that’s part of what I love — seeing the piece come to life gently, bit by bit.
Each artwork is created with care and intention, and offered either as an original piece or in a limited number of prints to keep it special.
Prints are made to order, mounted and wrapped professionally. They can also be framed if required and subject to quote.
Other Work
These pieces are where i have strayed away from dabbling in the dust of pastels, trying other mediums like acrylic and oil paint, ink and wash, coloured pencil, graphite and even Suminagashi marbling!
I am happy to create commission pieces in any of these mediums so just let me know at the consultation stage.