Karen Weihs

Karen Weihs carved time out of her full schedule to share her love for both painting and croquet. Her oil paintings, bursting with energy and creativity, first caught our eye on Instagram—each one a vivid window into her artistic world. Just as striking, though, is her unexpected connection to croquet, a pursuit that balances her creative life with a touch of playful precision. We were eager to learn how these two passions intertwine in her story.

Q: Karen, could you give us a little background on who you are?

I was born and raised in charming Charleston, SC, where I started married life with my husband Chris and our two boys. Together we also raised seven restaurants, building a very successful hospitality career before retiring to Cashiers, NC, to enjoy a slower pace.

Art has always been a constant in my life. I became a professional oil painter early on, first selling my work through our restaurants, then opening two galleries — one in Charleston and one in Cashiers. These days, I enjoy my art from a more relaxed side of the business by teaching three-day oil painting workshops seasonally and participating in annual art shows.

Q: How did croquet first come into your life?

Chris and I were first introduced to croquet socially at The Trillium Links Club in Cashiers. A few years later, we caught the croquet bug and started taking lessons and joining tournaments for fun. Traveling often to West Palm Beach’s National Croquet Center and the Sarasota County Croquet Club inspired us to purchase a second home in Venice, Florida, so we could play more during the winter months.

Croquet gave us not only a new sport to learn but also a community. The camaraderie drew us in, and now we’re giving back by teaching others and traveling to different venues to share the game.

Q: When did croquet shift from something you played to something you truly loved?

Chris picked it up quickly, and I started to think maybe I could catch up to him and compete for fun. That’s when it became a real goal we could share.

As a child, I wasn’t athletic at all — art was always my passion. I graduated from UGA with a fine art degree and threw myself into galleries, shows, and competitions. Sports like tennis, golf, and even early croquet were things I joined in on mostly to be with my husband and friends.

But something shifted with croquet. For the first time, I felt comfortable with a sport. The mallet just felt natural in my hands, and once I began to understand the strategy behind the three main croquet games, my interest grew from social play into true passion.

Q: If you could pass on one message or gift to the next generation of croquet players, what would it be?

I’d tell young people to find balance between their work and their sport — both are vital for a healthy, full life. For me, croquet fuels my energy to return to the studio, and my art pulls me back in from the courts. Each feeds the other.

Croquet is more than physical skill — it requires mental stamina, like chess or pool. My advice is to discover what fuels you, whether it’s art, sport, or something else entirely, and then give it your all. Reach deeper and wider to broaden your life.

You can keep up with Karen by following her on Instagram @karenweihsfineart.