Karen Oberg was raised in the inspiring surrounds of Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands. There she lived on her parents game fishing charter boat before the family settled in Airlie Beach. The splendor of these magnificent surroundings have had a life long impact as evidenced by Karen’s love of the ocean and rugged bush. These influences were reflected in the recreational drawings and water colours she produced through school and beyond.
After leaving school Karen moved away from Airlie Beach, settling in Townsville where she studied fashion design and textiles. Here she started a family with husband Rob. While coping with babies and establishing a home, Karen launched her own label “Hystyle KO Klothing” producing a range of children’s and resort clothing as well as bridal and evening wear for the local market. The highlight of this period in her life was when she won the 1988 North Queensland Fashion Awards staged at the Breakwater Casino in Townsville for one of her range of elegant evening gowns in silk brocade.
Karen was then recruited by the RAAF as a tailor and initially served in Adelaide before being posted to Amberley in Ipswich. After leaving the service, she helped to establish a very successful marketing and event management business with Rob.
Regardless of these successes, Karen has always looked to get back to her creative roots and pursue new challenges. In 2004 she finally acted on her desire to devote more time to her painting. Settled in a 100 year old Queensland home at Sadliers Crossing in Ipswich she now works as a full time arts practitioner producing a wide range of works and conducting classes and art groups under the “Arts Unlocked” banner.
In September 2005 Gallery Newtown in Ipswich mounted “Bush to the Beach”, Karen’s first solo exhibition reflecting her two environmental loves, Australia’s magnificent shores and beautiful rural landscapes. Over two thirds of the 27 works offered during the 9 day exhibition were sold.
Twelve months later her second exhibition, “One day closer to Rain”, reflected the dramatic impact on the South East Queensland landscape of the record breaking drought that has gripped the region. A local writer to penned a number of poems about a selection of the works and recited them at the exhibition opening. The title represented the artist’s optimism for the future and confidence that we will once again see our world at its lush green best.
Karen’s paintings are inspired by locations she has visited in her extensive travels off the beaten track throughout the countryside surrounding her home in Ipswich. Her works are not photographic style reproductions of what she sees. Instead they are a reflection of the feelings and emotions the particular scene generates within her. All works were in oil on canvas. Like her first exhibition, “One Day Closer to Rain” was commercially successful with the majority of works selling during the week long showing.
In appreciation of the support provided by the City of Ipswich through the RADF program Karen also donated two works to the City as a record of this period of extreme drought.
Karen produces traditional landscapes, seascapes, portraits & still lifes in oils along with more contemporary works in a range of mediums.
In addition to her own Gallery 23 she is also represented by Gallery Newtown, Brisbane St Ipswich, Scattered Arts at Newman Ave Camp Hill & Bella Arts at Springfield Lakes.