Karen Shapiro is a ceramic artist based in Gualala, California. Her artistic journey began at age five when she painted the adobe walls of her Tucson home with tap water. After studying art and design in college, Shapiro shifted careers to become a pastry chef, creating edible art for many years.

Returning to ceramics, Shapiro studied under Anne Peet Carrington at the College of Marin. She moved away from abstract forms and began exploring the shapes of everyday objects like milk cartons, espresso pots, and artichokes, finding inspiration in their unique details. Her current work reflects her fascination with the simple, yet captivating, forms that surround us.