Carmen began painting for Mbantua Gallery in November 2004. Also an artist, her mother in law is Janice Clarke Kngwarreye. Carmen is daughter of Susan Pwerle Chalmers and the late Larry Kngwarreye Jones. She has a sister and a brother, Maryanne Petyarre and Wayne Petyarre.

Carmen predominantly paints the Bush Onion which belongs to her mother's country. Carmen grew up in the Utopia Region where she still resides with her husband Bobby Clark, and three sons. She has also spent time living at Santa Teresa with her mother's family. Carmen attended a bush school at Soapy Bore (Arawerre) and Yirrara College in Alice Springs.