About

After studying at the Royal College of Art in the 70's, Keren was awarded a Major Traveling Scholarship which she spent in China. Inspired she returned to the UK to pursue a career as an artist and illustrator. One of her first jobs was a commission from friends for their new band, The Tourists, Keren designed images for t-shirts, badges and brochures, Dave and Annie went on to fame as Eurythmics. Side-line work styling for music videos and photo-shoots gave her the opportunty to use her imagery for sets, and costume. During this time she also worked as a special effects painter at Henson's Creature Workshop on The Dark Crystal, 1982 and Labyrinth, 1986 starring David Bowie. For several years she had part-time work as design assistant on opera productions for The Royal Opera House, ENO, Welsh National Opera and others.

Keren became an award winning illustrator with commissions for all the major broadsheet newspapers, design companies, publishing houses and advertising agencies. Her lino cuts became strongly associated with the fashion brand Ally Capellino.

in the 90's came a phase of illustrating children's books with her husband, acclaimed Music Video Director, Willy Smax. Titles include 'Big Pig's Hat' and 'Big Pig Gets Mad' and The 'Benny the Breakdown Truck' series.

By 2000, wrist worn out from all the cutting and printing, Keren started painting in oils. 

She reclaimed her father's family name 'Luchtenstein' in memory of her father, a refugee from Nazi Germany who joined the British Army and worked for SOE 

Life drawing is a passion, Keren has taught at art schools, Drawing at Work which ran courses for architectural practices. She particularly enjoyed teaching employees at Deutsche Bank to draw from life.

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Keren's work is in private collections worldwide,

Paul Smith owns many of her paintings. Commissions are welcomed.