American artist Karen Hargett was born in 1950, specializes in graphite pencil, and has recently added pastels to her portfolio. She's been drawing on and off all her life but didn't get into detailed drawing until about 1990. Karen told us...

“I have always been creative - involved with arts and crafts in some form or fashion all my life. I'm basically self taught. It wasn't until I started riding horses and training with my reining trainer that my drawing exploded into a real passion to express myself.

It is just in the last year that I have begun to take my art more seriously and set several goals for myself to turn it into not only a creative outlet but a way to supplement my income too. I'm happy to say it is working and I've met all my goals for the year and looking forward to the next!

I draw most every day - in the evenings and on weekends. When I don't pick up a pencil I feel lost - as if something is missing. Today I can't imagine my life without my art and drawing - it would definitely be empty.”