About Karen

Artist Bio

Cincinnati-based artist Karen Rolfes has been honing her skills as an impressionistic oil painter for the past two decades. Inspired by her family of interior designers and artists, Karen set out to discover her artistic voice through a series of artist studies under Robert Moore, Cheri Christensen, and Don Sahli. The most influential being Pierre Bittar, a well-known French artist, who first introduced the palette knife technique to Karen, for which she is most notably known.

Karen's vibrant, expressive works have found a home in private and corporate collections throughout 28 states in the U.S. and also in Australia, Germany and Switzerland.

Photo credit: RVP Photography

Artist Statement

“For me, painting has never been about capturing the exactness of a moment. But rather, taking the joy of the scene that I see and feel and expressing it on canvas for others to take part in. The palette knife is an extension of my thoughts as it makes quick work to articulate the beauty of the scene before me in a bright, colorful palette.”

Giving Back to the Community

Karen has been donating her original artwork to many charities within her community. Examples of the various organizations who have benefited from the gift of her paintings include: