Karen was born in Johannesburg and schooled at Paarl Girls High, excelling in painting, textile design, History of Art, and ballet. She completed her tertiary education at Isa Carsten Institute in Stellenbosch and studied History of Art at Unisa.

After attending ceramic courses at Knysna Art Centre, Karen cofounded Three Anchor Bay Studio in 1991, together with her life-partner Johannes Scott. At first, Karen invested her time at the studio on administrative duties and developing her knowledge of ceramic convention. After a series of exhibitions in Cape Town between 1995 and 2000, amongst others at Alfred Mall Gallery, Castle of Good Hope Gallery, British Council, Potter’s Shop, Feathers Gallery, and Cape Gallery, Karen assumed the role as principal studio instructor in 2003.

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Karen's work is in private collections in Asia, Western Europe, North America and across South Africa. During the past two decades, Karen has taught an assembly of recreational ceramic enthusiasts from all over the world, specialising in hand-built projects.

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