Paws and Paint – The Canine Artistry Karen Killian
Published 3:54 pm Thursday, July 10, 2025
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“You can never go wrong adding a dog to a story,” once remarked author Jim Butcher, pointing out that almost everyone loves dogs. Karen Killian, an artist from Tryon, has taken that idea even further, demonstrating that including a dog in a painting is equally irresistible.
Killian has dedicated her life to capturing the essence of dogs and the joy they bring to our lives. With a career spanning nearly four decades, Karen’s artistic journey is nothing short of inspiring. It is rooted in spontaneous moments, deep connections with animals, and a community that celebrates creativity.
Karen’s journey into the world of painting began in a rather whimsical way, reflecting a childhood adorned with vibrant imagery and laughter. “It was a Norman Rockwell scene,” she recalls. After school, she and her friends would gather, laughing and sipping Cokes in her friend’s brightly decorated bedroom. It was during one of these carefree afternoons that she picked up a pencil and sketched a copy of Alexander Hamilton from her textbook. “I didn’t know or ask why, but it was my first drawing!” This moment was the beginning of a lifelong passion for art.
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Fast forward to 1987, and Karen found herself reawakened in her artistic pursuits while walking her first Golden Retriever along the eastern shore of Maryland. A simple photograph of her dog sitting on a dock by the Chesapeake Bay captured her heart and reignited her passion for drawing.
“Cheshire Tide” was born from this moment, Killian explains, leading to a commitment to paint commissioned portraits of dogs and children. Her first commission, priced at $150, launched a career filled with rich storytelling through art.
“From head-studies in graphite to detailed watercolor portraits, I’ve never stopped studying,” Karen reflects. “I believe that every painting tells a story.”
Her collaboration with The Orvis Company, starting in 1998, helped her understand the nuances of customer wants, crafting artwork that resonated with pet owners and connoisseurs alike.
“They wanted paintings that ‘tell a story,’” Karen explains, leading her to embrace oils as her primary medium today.
One particularly delightful project of Karen’s is her “Cocktail Series,” born during a casual evening with a friend and longtime client. Over cocktails, the two of them brainstormed playful titles, including “Bottoms Up!” featuring a Golden Retriever in a comedic pose.
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“We were just having fun with words; we don’t actually advocate drinking alcohol with your dogs,” Karen chuckles, highlighting her lighthearted approach to art. The series showcases her creativity in a unique format, blending humor and artistry that engages her audience.
After spending 25 years in New England, Karen sought a change that would lead her south. It was 8½ years ago that she stumbled upon Tryon Painters and Sculptors Gallery and felt an immediate connection.
“I stayed for 45 minutes and never quite left. Magic brings many to Tryon,” she recalls, acknowledging the enchanting pull of this artistic community nestled in the mountains.
In March 2024, while sipping coffee on a dreary morning, inspiration struck Karen, leading to the creation of her book, “Cheers!” Most of the paintings featured were done for a show at The Dog & Horse Fine Art Gallery in Charleston between 2016 and 2017. After the originals sold out, Karen yearned to share her work with a wider audience. Available at The Bookshelf in Tryon and through her studio’s website, “Cheers!” is a celebration of her artwork and the stories behind it.
As for the town of Tryon, she cherishes its reputation as the “Friendliest town in the South” and appreciates the rich array of arts and culture thriving in this small community. In a delightful twist of fate, Karen’s friend from her childhood, whose bedroom was her first studio back in 1959, recently moved to Tryon, just five minutes from Karen’s studio. “I hadn’t seen her since we graduated high school,” she shares, celebrating yet another miracle story that shows how the unique aura of Tryon brings people together.
Currently, Karen has several commissions for Golden Retrievers on her agenda and is already working on the theme for her next book. She encourages visitors to her website to sign up for her newsletter. For more information on Karen or to view her work, visit her website, watermarkstudio.com.
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