Karen Lightfoot

Karen studied Fine Art Painting at WSCAD in the UK where she gained a BA Honours Degree. She later moved to London to work for Alecto Historical Editions on three prestigious projects, Joseph Banks “Florilegium”, Ferdinand Bauer’s "Illustrationes Florae Novae Hollandiae” and Karl Bodmer’s "America". Here she honed her meticulous skills, and went on to work on contemporary editions for Elizabeth Butterworth at D’Erlanger Publishing. Later she became Studio Manager at London Contemporary Art where she met her future husband and fellow artist, Gary Benfield.

Now returning to her first love of oil painting, she lovingly captures the beauty and character of her equine and canine subjects, combining these portraits with decorative floral elements.