Karen was born in Papunya in 1970, and grew up at Blackwater Outstation, about 5km outside of Papunya. She is the younger sister of renown Papunya Tjupi painter, Carbiene McDonald. Karen attended school in Papunya, and later Yirara College in Alice Springs.

Karen paints her grandmothers story, Kungka Tjukurrpa at Ilpilli. At Ilpilli, Karen's ancestors - the Napurrula women - found waterholes, creeks, and an abundance of food. It became a significant site for them, and they remained there for a long time.

Karen is a skilled translator and linguist. She worked at Papunya school as an assistant teacher for many years. Her work has incorporated poems, text and images. She continues to experiment with new materials and grow her practice in exciting directions. Her work was exhibited at the Desert Mob exhibition at Araluen arts centre in 2021. Karen continues to live at Blackwater outstation where she grew up, and now works at the Art Centre.