KAREN AHLSCHLAGER is an illustrator and graphic designer, living on a farm outside Cape Town, South Africa. The plants, animals, birds and the beauty of the surrounding landscape inspire many of her illustrations.
Karen enjoys illustrating in a diverse range of artwork styles, from realistic to styled, depending on the client’s needs. Karen’s work has been commissioned both locally and abroad for numerous clients which include NB Publishers, Tafelberg Publishers, Hodder Education (UK), McGraw-Hill (Australia), Oxford University Press, Pearson South Africa, for various magazine publications, design studios, ad agencies; as well as kids apps.
Karen’s illustrations for “Storiemuis Book 6” were shortlisted for the MER Prize at the Media24 Books Literary Awards for illustrated children’s books. Her work is discussed and featured in a book entitled; Best Practice: The Pros on Adobe Photoshop written by Toni Toland published by Delmar Learning, New York and in the SA Art Times.
Karen loves to illustrate children’s books that make a positive impact in some manner or form.
I spent months searching the Internet for the right illustrator to co-create the universe of Where Beauty Blossoms. The challenge was to create original illustrations that inspire god-like qualities of everything beautiful. I serendipitously found Karen's work, had the inner knowing that she was the one and immediately fell in love with her illustration style. The illustrations Karen created for the book are masterpieces. The feedback from parents and children has been overwhelmingly positive. Karen is more than a talented, extremely professional illustrator. She goes the extra mile, is very invested in her work, the success of the book and in creating an output of outstanding quality. I also learnt so much from her. Co-creating with Karen has been the best experience on this book's journey. Swaady Martin, Author and Publisher, LovingKindness Boma