Born in Norfolk, Karen is the granddaughter of Guernsey artist Louis Le Ray, whom she sadly never met. As an adult, she travelled the world living in Singapore, Bangkok, Australia and Norway. During this time Karen developed her love of drawing and painting, undertaking portrait commissions and running art classes

Upon her return to the UK, Karen Keable studied at Robert Gordon’s Institute of Art and Design in Scotland and developed a love of working in all types of media, earning a coveted place at Gray’s University to study Fine Art. She moved to Southwold in 1999 and realised her natural ability to capture the sea. "I love the strength and drama of the sea and its ever-changing mood depending on the time of day and the season." Capturing light and movement is very important to Karen. "I want the viewer to feel the warmth of the light or the blow of the wind as it moves the clouds along." Her paintings are spiritual and have deep personal meaning, which is often reflected in the work's title.

The House of Lord’s Art Committee purchased two of Karen’s paintings, which were included in the ‘Best of British’ tourism exhibition held at the Palace of Westminster in 2005. The style of work in the exhibition was of the 1930’s travel poster but incorporating a modern feel. Karen painted views of the Lowestoft Air Festival and Southwold from the sea, which came third nationally. She also painted a picture of Sutton Hoo, which was purchased by Lord Redesdale for his private collection.

Now living in Norfolk, Karen continues to find new inspiration – the big East Anglian skies, the reed cutters, the fishermen, the local characters for which she feels an urgency to capture. Although there are no main influences in her art, Karen does admire the strength in Lucien Freud's work, the light captured by the impressionists and the eccentric character of Maggi Hambling.

Karen is a member of the East Anglian Group of Marine Artists and her work is held in private collections throughout Europe, Malaysia and USA.

Reference: 'Making Waves, Artists in Southwold' by Ian Collins

Author of Acrylic Workshop II, published in 15 languages by Dorling Kindersley 2008 . Available in hardback

EXHIBITIONS INCLUDE:

2004 'Quintessential Suffolk' Southwold (Solo Exhibition)

Suffolk Open Studios

Thompson's Gallery, Aldeburgh

2005 Thompson's Gallery, Aldeburgh

Suffolk Open Studios

2006 'Spirit of Suffolk', Southwold (Solo Exhibtion)

Thompson's Gallery, Aldeburgh

Mall Galleries, London (East Anglian Group of Marine Artists Exhibition)

2007 Peter Hedley Gallery, Dorset

Hunter Gallery, Long Melford

2008 Thompsons Gallery, Aldeburgh

2009 Thompsons Gallery, Aldeburgh, East Anglian View