Karen Lilje

Karen Lilje began her studies at the Open Window Art Academy completing a Fine Arts diploma and a Design diploma. She furthered her studies at the University of Pretoria receiving a BA Fine Arts Degree in graphic design.

Her first children's book, "The Queen of the North Wind" by Claudia Nicholson was published in 1998 by Hibbard Publishers. Since then she has had two Afrikaans children's books published by Lapa Publishers. "Lisa het 'n Plan" by Martie Preller came out in 2001 and "'n Anderste ABC Boek vir Aspatatte" by Maritha Snyman followed in 2002. The latter children's book was awarded the Publisher's Choice Award by Exclusive Books.

She has received recognition at the Loeries as well as the New York One Show. Her design often incorporates illustration as does her illustration show the influence of design.

Karen works in a wide variety of media including watercolour, ink, collage and acrylic and her style is varied and well suited to narrative illustration. With an academic background in English and writing she has good interpretive skills and enjoys approaching her work with a conceptual and humorous edge.