“Aqua has a distinctive style and vision of her own..., coupled with a dancer’s sense of movement and a musician’s sense of rhythm.”

— Leah A. Sullivan, Animation Magazine

“Aqua ... is clearly one of the finest animation artists in the country.”

— Michael Blowen, The Boston Globe

“Through the years, Aqua’s animation has become seamless, her imagery more personal and lyrical, and her messages more profound and affecting.”

— Lois Tarlow, Art New England

“Her animation—sometimes representational, sometimes abstract—seems an attempt to engage the subconscious mind as well as to provide whimsy for the ruling forces of intellection. In Aqua's work, agreed-upon realities are often shown to be gossamer-thin and arbitrary as her images slide, ellide and transform themselves often charmingly, often disturbingly.”

— Bob Green, Honolulu Weekly

“An artist who uses sources as diverse as African tribal dances, southwestern Indian cave drawings, the work of Joseph Campbell and the pace of urban life. Aqua creates films that are vibrant and alive with color and image.”

— David Kinder, Webster University

“Much of the Karen Aqua universe is populated with creatures spawned from a mating between Matisse cutouts and carvings on Incan tombs. Made of neon-bright colors and sharp angles, her exuberant stick figures give off an energy that’s neither entirely human nor entirely animal. What’s more, they’re caught up in a natural system that may be sinister, but never lacks a sense of humor.”

— Robin Dougherty, Boston Phoenix

“Children across the country get up and dance next to their cereal bowls when Sesame Street airs Karen Aqua’s animated segments. It would be hard to stay still as bejeweled Mardi Gras figures jive across the small screen, flashing numbers at the audience, accompanied by...Revolutionary Snake Ensemble—a band that’s led (off-screen) by her saxophone-tooting husband, Ken Field.”

— Barbara Ensor, New York Magazine