Personal Information:    • Name when in high school yearbook:  Karen Kierstead  • High school nickname:   • Legal name today (if different):   Karen Miller  • What do people call you now? :    • Address (please provide at least a city and state):  Okemos, Michigan 48864  • Email contact:   kmillerartist@gmail.com  • Phone number (if you want):   (517) 347-0079 Current life situation (retired working, volunteering, etc.):   After graduation from Michigan State University with a BA in Art Education/Art Practice and an MA in Instructional Development and Technology I taught middle school art in the Waverly Schools  retiring in 1997.  During teaching years I owned and operated the Sandpiper Gallery of Charlevoix during the summer months, and upon retirement I opened the Conifer Gallery of Okemos for 5 years until I realized I wanted to pursue my own career in painting and competition.  Currently, I work out of my private studio in Okemos with experimental watermedia painting as my focus.  National and international  painting competition has led to signature memberships in the International Society of Experimental Artists, Texas Watercolor Society, and the Louisiana Watercolor Society.  I continue gallery work at the Anselmo Gallery in Okemos by marketing and planning feature artist exhibits.   Family history (spouse, children, dogs, etc.):   In  1986 my husband and I adopted two darling daughters from  Seoul, Korea, who became the loves of our lives.  On a Sunday afternoon drive visiting a horse farm in central Michigan we got acquainted with Deja, a full blooded Arabian mare who became a special part of our family for 23 years.   Our oldest daughter, Stephanie, became Fashion Editor for Marie Claire in Prague before moving to NY as a celebrity events planner with her husband, Rick.  Youngest daughter, Haley, is a sonar tech in the Navy aboard the USS Hopper with Hawaii as her home port.  I am presently divorced.  Summers are split between the cottage in Mecosta,  the condo in Boyne City on Lake Charlevoix and my home in Okemos.  Still painting and loving it.   Current hobbies and interests:   Golf, gardening, and playing tourist up north.   Claims to fame (books, awards, etc.):   2011 -  Chelsea Painters:  Celebrating Their Art 2012 -  Journeys to Abstraction by Sue St. John (North Light Books)   Education, Military Service or Training After ELHS:    • BA Degree -  Michigan State University - Art Practice/Art Education  • MA Degree - Michigan State University - Instructional Development and Technology   Work History (dates, company name, location, title/job function):    • 1967-1997 - Waverly Schools - Art Education - Middle school level ___________ Looking forward to seeing all of you at the reunion. Thanks to the committee for all your efforts to make our 50th very special.   ******** To view samples of Karen's work, click here.