Karen Libecap's love for small things began in childhood, where she would write tiny stories and create miniature illustrations to accompany them. Often getting into trouble for writing too small in school, her early passion for detail was evident. Growing up in an artistic household—her mother loved to paint and sew, and her father was an engineer—Karen’s creative instincts were nurtured from a young age.

Though she initially pursued an education in art, her plans shifted when she was told she wasn’t "good enough" to enter the illustration program. Undeterred, Karen chose to study graphic design instead and put painting aside for many years. It wasn’t until 2009 that she rediscovered her passion for painting, experimenting with oils, pastels, pencils, and pen and ink. However, she struggled to finish larger pieces, finding herself drawn to the idea of working small.

Karen found her calling in tiny paintings, where her love for intricate detail and unlimited subject matter could shine. What began as an hour-long creative process quickly evolved into pieces that now take anywhere from four hours to several days to complete, depending on the level of detail and, of course, how much coffee she's had. With her natural affinity for focusing on fine details, Karen embraces the challenge of creating meticulously detailed works in small-scale formats, which allow her to engage fully before losing interest—a perfect fit for her ADHD-driven creativity.