Karen M. Serafini

Lowcountry Originals 2025
October 2025 Issue
photography (top) by
Jacie Elizabeth Millen

Karen M. Serafini

Art Medium: Resin
Current Residence: Bluffton, SC Hometown: Waynesboro, TN
Career: Medical writer and artist with SOBA Gallery and Pluff Mudd Art Gallery in Old Town Bluffton

Family: Married 17 years to Dan Serafini, composer and music producer; 1 son and daughter-in-law, 4 grandsons. Also, her mom, 1 sister, 2 brothers, 1 aunt, many nephews, nieces
and cousins.

When and how did you discover your artistic talent?
I studied classical piano from a young age and have always dabbled in art: jewelry making, painting, crafts and now resin art. I owned a gallery in Leiper’s Fork, TN, showcasing my jewelry, along with other local artists’ work.

How and/or why did you choose your medium?
I was fascinated by pictures and videos online of myriad colors and fluidity of resin works that reminded me of blown glass, which I’ve loved since I was a child. So, I started playing around with it, making coasters and trays. But that didn’t satisfy me, so through a lot of trial and error, I developed a process to use resin to create vessels and sculptures that look like the blown glass I love so much. My chemistry background helped in this process since the critical variables in creating these pieces are driven by temperature, humidity, quantity, and time.

What do you love about it?
Creating art brings me joy, and working with resin allows me to use my left brain (as a scientist) and my right brain (as a creative artist). It’s also a wonderful way to step away from my other work as a medical writer, reset my brain, and relax a bit.

What is your background? What (or who) in your background gave you the courage to pursue your inner artist?
My mom and dad believed, and they taught me to believe I could do and achieve anything I set my mind to. I was lucky enough to grow up in an incredibly supportive family, with parents who enjoyed travel, the arts, and music. My dad was a busy physician, who also played the violin. My mom was a nurse, and her artistic talents were in interior design and in the kitchen. She’s a gourmet cook and some of our greatest times were when all of us were in the kitchen, preparing big meals, with my dad’s stereo at full blast!

What’s the best encouragement you’ve ever received in pursuing your artistic talents? 
My husband, Dan, who’s a brilliant composer and music artist, is a huge supporter of everything I do, as well as my family. I’ve also received so much support from fellow artists and galleries, especially here in the Lowcountry!

What do you hope people who view your art “get” out of it?
Joy!

What artist (living or deceased) inspires or influences you the most?
The work of Dale Chihuly has definitely influenced my art. His blown glass creations are some of the most beautiful pieces of art I’ve ever seen. I’m also mesmerized and inspired by Mother Nature! My greatest inspiration comes from the ocean. I once thought of being a marine biologist because I love the ocean so much; it’s the biggest reason we moved to Bluffton—to be close to the amazing big blue sea.

Would you love to spend the day with Chihuly?
Yes! A dream day would be to watch him work and maybe even ask him to critique my work! I’d love to know his thoughts on how close I am to replicating the look of blown glass.

What’s something unique in your studio that more
than likely no one else has?
Instead of parked cars, half of our garage is my art studio, and the other half is my husband’s wood-working space.

In addition to your art, what is something people be surprised
to know about you?
Most people I meet through my artistry are surprised that I’m a scientist. I have spent my career in the medical/pharmaceutical space, helping to develop new drugs, working with researchers, educating clinicians, and I now am involved in the medical writing piece.