Karen Hernandez Abril or simply Kaye was born in Brgy. Lalig, Tiaong, Quezon on February 17, 1977. Her real name is Baby Karren, but she just use Karen as her artist name. Her passion for arts rooted when she was a little kid, but she started painting professionally in 2019. She is a self-taught artist. It is her way of expressing her innermost thoughts and feelings. Her heart beats everytime she hold a blank canvas. She feels that her hand and paint brush are really good partners. Everytime she does sceneries, she feels she can go places without living home. Though she was confined in a wheel chair for physical disability, it didn’t deter her from being creative. She also has her YouTube channel “Karen Stra” where she teaches and share her talents. Her journey has been challenging but like her paintings, she filled it with colors that turned into a masterpiece. She uses acrylic paints and she loves bright colors that reflects on her artworks. Aside from painting on canvas, she also paints on jute bags and sells them. She never stops in experimenting on various media and techniques.
In spite of the limited movements, it didn’t stop her in joining various exhibits such as:
“Bagong Mukha, Bagong Likha”, Benito Pilar Yao Social Hall, Lucban, Quezon, September 2021
“Malikhaing Mundo Tungo sa Pagbabago”, Janzen Hann Art Cafe, Lucban, Quezon, October, 2021
“Pink-Ibig at Pag-Asa”, Anikafe, Pacific Mall, Lucena City
“Women’s World”, SM City, Lucena City
“Hiyas Na Obra”, Tiaong Hiyas Rotary Club, Tiaong, Quezon
“Art in the Park Online Exhibit”, 2021
She is currently affiliated with the all-female group, KA-Manlilikha and was part of the Radyo Pilipinas Lucena live inteview.She gets her inspiration from everyone who believes in her. She believes that we don’t need to compare ourselves to anyone because we have our own uniqueness. One should never stop dreaming and always make ourselves better everyday are some of her advises to the emerging artists. Her biggest dream is to have her own gallery where she can display all her masterpieces. As long as we continue to inspire others, that’s what matters most, she uttered.
