Karen Kersten was born and raised in the Minneapolis area. Her lifelong love of drawing and painting led her to study at the Minnesota River School of Fine Art in Burnsville and the Hurinenko Paquet Studio in St. Paul. She has also attended numerous workshops presented by nationally acclaimed artists.

Employing several mediums, Karen enjoys the challenge of expressive portraiture, the symbolism and design of still life and the pleasure of nature in landscape. As a child, her passion for horses motivated her to spend many hours drawing them. Now Karen believes she has come full circle, also creating equine art for herself and clients.

After her formal art education Karen taught drawing, portraiture and still life for six years at the Minnesota River School of Fine Art. In 1999 she relocated to the beautiful lake country of northern Minnesota, where she feels blessed to be living her dream of being a horse owner and painting in her Pine River studio. She participates in many juried local and national shows, art organizations and galleries.

Karen believes artistic ability is a God-given gift, which through a desire to learn and see beauty, can be shared with others. Pursuing artistic truth and excellence, she considers herself a perpetual student.