Hello!

My name is Karen. I'm one of those people who really hate to write about themselves. If you asked me how long I've been drawing, my mother would tell you since I was a child. I have always loved art. I think I get that from my mom. I remember her drawing peoples' faces for me when I was little and I was always very intrigued by that. In school I took as many art classes as possible. By the time I was in high school, one of my oil paintings ended up in the Columbus, Ohio Museum of Art. Of course, that was many years ago.

If you asked me what was the most difficult but memorable piece of art I have done, I would say an oil portrait of Jesus I did on a 3 foot x 4 foot piece of masonite. I even had that one framed. I did it for my Uncle Jim's church (he's the minister), but Mom couldn't give it up. To this day, that painting is still in my mom's house for everyone to see.

I went to college, majoring in Commercial Art with a minor in Psychology, but after awhile I switched my majors around and went into Medical School - I went into Emergency Medicine with a Cardiology specialty. It was in my last year of Medical School that I was diagnosed with A.L.L. - Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. I was told it was the children's version and I had maybe two years to live. As you can imagine, I went through a lot of emotions the first couple of weeks, including the usual "Pity Party" ones.

Then, I decided I needed to get at least one goal accomplished. I would finish school. I informed my doctors of my decision and was told they had been discussing my case with another physician in Texas who knew of a hospital just beginning to try a new, experimental drug called Interferon on leukemia patients. So, after I took my Medical Boards, I was on my way to Texas. The Interferon therapy put me into remission.

After chemotherapy, I was able to go back to work, go to school, or just do whatever I wanted. I chose to work in one of the top hospitals in downtown Houston in the field of Cardiology with a specialty in Pacemakers. That lasted for about 16 years, and then I went out of remission and was forced to retire. All during this time I was working, I wasn't idle in the art world, even though it was a different form of art. You see, I designed collector teddy bears. These are called "artist bears". Mostly made from German Mohair, are basically the same as your treasured bear from childhood, collector teddy bears are one of the most sought-after collectibles in the world. I also promoted several large teddy bear shows and auctions to benefit the Leukemia Society. "Teddies Marching for a Cure" is an ongoing charity project involving the world of collectible bears with leukemia research.

I have an 8-year-old friend named Harlan who also has A.L.L. The two of us have a team called "Karen & Harlan's Walkers" for the Leukemia "Light the Night" charity event. We had 78 walkers the last time out, with over 50 of them being teens from my church. We were so happy and proud to do this event with the proceeds from the sponsored walkers going to Leukemia research.

When I had to go to the hospital for blood tests or treatments, I often took some of my teddy bears made from cloth or plush to the kids there. Then, when we were waiting to have tests done or for the results to find out what our docs were going to do to us next, I would sometimes draw pictures for some of them. We all liked having the comfort of the teddy bears too.

I'm sure you're probably wondering how I got the name "Koi Bubbles" - well, I raise Japanese Koi! I don't sell them or show them, they are my pets. As my husband says, they are my children. All the Koi in my pictures are my own Koi. They all have names and personalities of their very own. For instance, "Biggs" my Shiro Becko is my sweetie. I got her about 3 1/2 years ago when she was barely three inches long, and she cost me $100. Now, she is two feet long and just has the sweetest personality. She loves romaine lettuce, oranges and Cheerios. "Katy", one of my Kohaku, loves to hang around whatever end of the pond I happen to be sitting near.

I have three Koi ponds on my patio - an adult pond, teenage pond and my baby pond. We're in the process of expanding our patio and building another pond for my long finned Koi - also called Butterfly Koi. I belong to a Koi club and read all I can about these amazing living jewels. One of the times I was on chemo, I started sketching pictures of them. I would sit on my patio in the warm sun and watch my babies swim. Then, last year, I saw some Chinese Brush Paintings on Rice Paper in a museum in downtown Houston. I really fell in love with that style of painting. I began practicing the technique and, after many, many months, I finally finished a complete picture on Rice Paper. I had already done and sold several of my Koi paintings in oils or acrylics before this, so learning this new technique was like a breath of fresh air. It has been so long since I really had worked with watercolors, and this is the first time I've worked with Chinese Watercolors and Sumi-e ink.

My Chinese Brush paintings will either be on Kitikata (antique parchment color) or Okawara (cream parchment color) Shuen Rice Paper. I only do these in sizes 9" x 12" to 16" x 20". You can e-mail me for prices on any of my paintings.

I hope you will come back and visit my site often to see new pictures as they go up. I am very privileged that my paintings will be displayed in a showing this summer in a gallery.

As you can see, my life has gone through many chapters already, some good and some bad, but through it all I know that my God has been with me every step of the way. Some may say "I" have beaten the odds, but I say, "God just isn't done with me yet". A couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to participate in another experimental chemotherapy study that has put me back into almost total remission. I work at a Rehab hospital - you guessed it - watching peoples' heart rhythms! Maybe through me, or some part of my life, I can be the reason for others to have hope in their lives and showing them that, yes, it is okay to want more and to say "why not?" Or I might make one of the doctors' day a little better by having some kind words and offering help of some kind.

Well, looking back over this, I see I haven't talked very much about art, but I've told you almost my whole life history. I am married to a Texan named Jim, and he helps me out a lot with my Koi, especially when there is a crisis. For instance, last summer, Katy had a problem and we had to walk her around the pond for hours. We almost lost her and if Jim hadn't spent so much time outside walking her around in the pond, I'm sure we would have. He is also helping in building the new pond that is going to be for the Butterfly Koi. Oh yes, and before I forget, I have two more "kids" - a 3-year-old black Lab named Bishop and a 5-year-old Cocker Spaniel with a real attitude named Sophia. I hope you have enjoyed reading about my life and will enjoy looking at my pictures. I am hoping to have some new things for "inquiring minds" in the near future.

Much Love & Koi Bubbles, Karen