Name of Person: Karen Ahlgren, contemporary wildlife artist, weaver and jewelry artist

Born in northern California and now living in the wilds of northern New Mexico, Karen Ahlgren has been a watercolorist for 21 years, exhibiting in numerous galleries and shows and enjoying world-wide collectors along the way. She has long been passionate about animals and vivid colors. Her rich watercolors are deeply saturated-alternating between careful detail in the subjects soulful eyes to the quick spontaneous thrill and tension of brilliant wet-on-wet sunsets. Her goal has always been to connect the viewer with the majesty of these beings while offering delight to the spirit with her palette of strong non-local color. Primarily self-taught, she continues to push the medium of watercolor into becoming a more intense visual and visceral experience for the viewer.

In 2006 Karen and her husband purchased a 150 year old adobe structure in Garcia, Colorado which was first built as the Methodist/Episopalian mission to the area. Currently under ongoing renovation/remodeling, the old mission is now home to Karens' studio/gallery. Please contact her for an appointment to visit her at her studio. For more information and to see Karens' beautiful creations, please visit her website, www.karenahlgren.com ;

Karen has lived in northern New Mexico for 16 years in a streamside strawbale home that is solar powered.