Jan Killian is a self-taught artist with a lifelong love of color. Nature and her photography provide the foundation for her paintings, which she infuses with imagination to bring out the whimsy in her art. Her favorite mediums are watercolor, gouache, and acrylic—sometimes all combined in a single piece.

Jan often creates backgrounds using monoprints made with a gel plate and natural flora or found objects, layering gouache over the prints for a look she developed herself. Her acrylic paintings feature multiple layers and glazing effects that add depth and interest, while her watercolors often appear on unconventional surfaces for playful effects.

Her art reflects her deep love for those without a human voice but certainly with a soul. Through her work, she seeks to connect people with nature and all who live in it.

Animals and birds have always been Jan’s first love. She grew up in Connecticut, studied art in high school, and later pursued a degree as a certified veterinary technician. Her career included founding and owning the Bed & Biscuit Boarding Kennel, working as office manager at Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary, showing Golden Retrievers in obedience trials, and fostering and training many rescue animals. All the while, she continued painting and exploring other fine crafts.

Today, Jan lives in Cumberland with her husband Barry, two rescue dogs, one rescue cat, a Russian tortoise, three birds, and nine chickens—while painting full time.