Karen grew up in Perth, Western Australia. She made her first picture book when she was nine for a Year 5 project, and by the time she was in her 20s and living in the UK, she knew it was her dream to continue.

She now lives in Fremantle with her husband and two cats and works part-time as a primary art teacher. Recent titles include Something Wonderful and Hello From Nowhere, written by Raewyn Caisley, CBCA Notable Books and shortlisted for the WA Premier's Literary Awards, Adelaide Festival Awards and Speech Pathology Awards;

CBCA Honour Book With Nan, written by Tania Cox; Granny Grommet and Me by Dianne Wolfer; Baby Beats and Baby Animal Farm, both of which were written and illustrated by Karen.