The Watermark Studio is my home base for playing with paint and dogs and kids. I have been drawing all my life, but, for lack of a passionate fine-art focus, had ventured into sign painting and calligraphy for several years. Then when my first Golden Retriever, Chessie, had a litter of ten puppies, I began to photograph and draw and paint them. Soon friends asked me to draw their dogs, and within a couple years, a new career had blossomed, and now my primary focus is dog portraits in watercolor. I also paint children, but my favorite is to paint them with their animals. I stay busy with commissions, but I do experimental paintings whenever I get the chance. One such painting entitled "Life is Good!" was purchased by the Orvis Company and became my first limited edition print, which sold out in the Orvis Christmas catalogue of 1998.  That was the beginning not only of my print business but also a wonderful working relationship with Orvis.

Also near and dear to my heart is education in caring for and protecting the canine population. I hope to contribute to that education through the messages in my work. And I'm pleased that my print business now affords the opportunity to donate Artist Proofs to raise donations for causes that help animals.  I keep a record of stories about the dogs that I paint, and they are coming together in a book, from Chessie's viewpoint, entitled "The Portraits of My Mistress" ©1998. This website was launched in June of 1999. It has been great fun to communicate through this medium, especially with those who enjoy paint and dogs and kids as much as I do! So thank you for visiting and come again. Karen Killian