Mike Killian

This week, we’re featuring Mike Killian, a St. Louis artist whose creativity knows no limits — and whose motto is simple: “Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Just start now.”

Mike has been creating for as long as he can remember, taking every art class available during his years at St. Louis University High. Guided early on by Father William Doyle, SJ, and later mentored by the late artist Hal Poth, Mike learned to see the world through fearless curiosity and joy.

Working with everything from paint and pastels to fabric and found objects, Mike follows wherever inspiration lands — literally. “I have more ideas than I know what to do with,” he laughs. “They’re in notebooks, folders, and taped to the walls.”

Currently featured in multiple galleries — including ours, both in the Independent Section and in the Rooted in Nature show — Mike’s work continues to captivate viewers across the region. We had the absolute pleasure of seeing him at Soulard Gallery’s “Art of Darkness” opening night, where his piece “Beetle Man” turned heads as a truly one-of-a-kind addition!

His goal? To make art that makes people feel good. “I want viewers to be amused, happy, and appreciative of what they see.”

Recently, Mike also collaborated with fellow artist Billy Christman on a large-scale sculpture for the Fairview Heights Arts Festival. And if his advice to new artists tells us anything, it’s that gratitude and playfulness are key: “Make your art for yourself — gratitude will take you a long way.” Thank you, Mike Killian, for reminding us that creativity has no age limit — and that the best time to start is always now.