Born in San Francisco in 1956, Karl grew up near Drottningholm, outside Stockholm.  He then lived in Switzerland and Canada before returning to his place of birth, San Francisco.  After an absence of 24 years he returned to Sweden at the age of 40.  Nature studies, with a passion for birds, have been Karl’s main interest since childhood.  Having initially painted very exact, detailed pictures, he has more recently developed a freer style.  Karl is very interested in the forms of meditation found in Zen Buddhism and he tries to apply this to his painting.  “The best result is achieved when no thought is given to it – when the mind rests in emptiness and intuition takes over”.  In his painting, Karl strives to capture the emotional essence of the subject rather than a perfect depiction, challenging his own perceptions and letting the image develop.  He paints from memory using watercolour and charcoal on hand-made paper.  He exhibits in London and extensively across Europe.