A native of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Karen Petersen's heritage is evident in the subjects she paints: harbors, lighthouses, shore birds, and historic scenes. She grew up and continues to live on the shore of Lake Michigan's Green Bay near the little fishing village of Cedar River. 

Hands-on creative expression comes to Karen through generations of her family. Her grandmother was a sail maker and net weaver. Her father was a stone mason; an uncle was a wood carver. 

Her Norwegian ancestors were early settlers on Wisconsin's historic Door Peninsula. They moved their commercial fishing venture to the Michigan side of Green Bay in the early 1900's. 

Karen's memories are filled with sights and stories of the local fishermen and life along the shore. In her paintings, you can see glimpses of a way of life that has faded into the past.