Description
Hardcover, 143 pages.
This remarkable collection of pencil sketches and full-color paintings were discovered by the Killen family shortly after Jim’s passing. The collection was kept in a special place in his studio managed solely by Jim and unknown to his family. These works are personal and provide a view into the development of Jim’s talent and amazing sense of design and composition.
Karen Killen, Jim’s wife and life partner for over 64 years, was compelled to share these images with loyal followers, conservationists and collectors. It is very rare to see this quantity and quality of an artist’s private work and you won’t find other books like this. Jim created this a unique collection of wildlife art not only for his personal enjoyment, but to develop an intimate understanding of every wild creature that he portrayed.
“I feel fortunate to love what I do every day and hope to bring a sense of joy or recapture a cherished memory for the people that view my art... for this I truly feel blessed by God.”
— Jim Killen (1934 - 2024)
Artistic Legacy: An artistic legacy is more than a collection of works—it is the vision, inspiration, and spirit an artist leaves behind. It is not only the paintings, sketches, or sculptures, but the way they teach us to see the world differently. Through art, memory endures. An artistic legacy carries the stories, the beauty, and the truths the artist captured, allowing future generations to experience their way of seeing. It is continuity, a thread connecting the heart of the artist to those who come after. In this way, art becomes a kind of immortality—the artist’s voice echoing through time, not just on canvas or paper, but in the hearts of those who encounter their work.