Born in Houston in 1953, Karen Farrell traveled extensively throughout the United States with her Air Force family. After moving to San Antonio, she began working with glass in 1978. In 2001, Farrell opened her studio in Houston, Texas, where she explored the broader medium of glass with bead making, fusing, and carving, eventually settling on the design and creation of stained-glass windows. Today, Farrell employs five artisans in her studio, where she crafts works by commission for homeowners, builders and interior designers.