In recent years, she has gained notoriety in the National Art scene, with participation and winning awards in these venues:  Best of Show, Publishers Choice Award from the Editor of Plein Air Magazine and People's Choice Award,  from the Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters Show;  Juror's Honorable Mention and People's Choice Award at the  Buffalo Bill Cody Show and Auction in Cody, Wyoming, People's Choice-Best Painting at the C.M. Russell Show, in Great Falls Montana, and  Best of Show - Nomades Del Arte, Santa Fe, NM.  

Vance is a Member of the National Art Club, California Art Club, a  Signature Member of the National Academy of Professional Plein Air Painters, Emeritus Signature Member of Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters, and Master Signature Member of American Women Artists.  Yosemite National Park has also awarded Karen with a residency and exhibit for the year 2007-2008. Karen's painting, "Winter in the North Platt River Valley" was chosen in Spring of 2008 for part of The University of Denver's permanent collection.

She was featured in Southwest Art Magazine: "A Natural Calling" by Norman Kolpas, February 2005; Art of the West Magazine:  Karen Vance: "A Sense of Intimacy" - 2006 January/February; and Inform Art Magazine has featured her work on the cover of the 2006/2007 Winter issue with an article by editor Peggy Kinstler.  Also the book, Enchanted Isle: The History of Plein Art Painting on Santa Catalina Island, available through Art of the West Magazine.  

A newly released book,  Landscapes of Colorado – Mountains and Plains, under the curatorship of Ann Daley, Curator of American Art - Denver Art Museum, and Michael Paglia, Art Critic of Westword, and featuring Karen's paintings in the book and on it's front cover.