A resident of Owatonna, Minnesota, Jim Killen was a commercial artist for Josten Jewelry Company. When his work began to sell, he quit to become a full-time artist, specializing in watercolor and gouache dog portraits and sporting scenes with upland game and waterfowl. His artwork has earned international honors and generated millions of dollars for Ducks Unlimited International, Pheasants Forever, Quail Unlimited, The Wild Turkey Federation and numerous state conservation programs. Jim Killen's artwork has been selected by fifteen states for their duck stamp programs.

A selection of these awards are:
1980 - Minnesota Conservation Award
1983 - South Carolina Duck Stamp
1984 - National Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year
Pennsylvania Duck Stamp
North Carolina Duck Stamp
1985 - Minnesota Pheasant Stamp
1986 - First of State Vermont Duck Stamp
A Four Year Series- "The Four Seasons of Vermont"
Georgia Duck Stamp
1987 - National Wild Turkey Stamp
Quail Unlimited Grand Slam PrintSoutheastern Wildlife Expo Artist of the Year
1988 - Idaho Duck Stamp
South Carolina Duck Stamp
Quail Unlimited
1991 - South Carolina Duck Stamp
1993 - International Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year
First of State Illinois Habitat Stamp-First in "The Four Seasons of Illinois"
1995 - Kentucky Duck Stamp
North Carolina Duck Stamp
1997 - National Wild Turkey "Target 2000" Print-First in a Four Year Series
U.S. Art Hall of Fame Inductee
Received the Thomas Jefferson Award for Community Service from the American Institute in Washington, DC
1998 Georgia Duck Stamp
Illinois Duck Stamp - A Five Year Series
1999 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award - Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN
2003 New Jersey State Duck Stamp