Cats, coffee, and copyright protection. That’s the unexpected mix powering the creative world of Ryan Conners, the artist behind KilkennyCat Art. After a rough patch in Portland, she painted her way into a full-time career. It’s a journey that proves the most surprising detours can lead exactly where we’re meant to be.We caught up with Ryan to hear more about her creative process, how her style has evolved, and what it was like teaming up with EJIP to take back what was hers.How It All Started
Her creative path didn’t follow a straight line. After moving back to the U.S. from Iceland and struggling to find a job in IT, Ryan’s mom jokingly said, “Why don’t you paint cats?”As it turned out, that offhand comment launched a career. She posted a few cat paintings on eBay. At first, they sold. But then they kept selling.These days, Ryan paints from a cozy spot between northwest Pennsylvania and Maryland. Her studio? A place where pencil theft (by her cat Willow) can spark morning panic, and political frustration turns into feline satire.Signature Style, Zero Copycats
Since then, she hasn’t looked back. Her signature style blends cats, coffee, and commentary—sometimes political, often hilarious, always unmistakably Ryan. Whether she’s using traditional brushes or her trusty Apple Pencil (engraved with “KilkennyCat Art 😺”), she paints fast, freely, and with zero tolerance for copycats. Literally.When Art Meets Advocacy
One of the things that stood out most in our conversation was Ryan’s honesty (and killer sense of humor). She’s raised two kids and supported a whole parade of cats with her art—no brand deals, no big backing.“It’s not glamorous,” she said. “But it’s perfect for me.” Like many artists we speak to, her work’s been stolen. First on eBay back in 2003. More recently, on major marketplaces. For a while, she ignored it. “I avoided it like the plague,” she said. “I didn’t think anything could be done.”Eventually, she decided to partner with Edwin James IP. It wasn’t without hesitation. “It took me over a year to agree,” she told me. “Artists get so many scammy emails, and it’s hard to know who to trust.”Even so, the experience surprised her. “The process was painless. And the amount recovered—I was shook. I expected small settlements. Instead, I actually got compensated.”Q&A with Ryan Conners
What’s your creative tool(s) of choice?
My paintbrushes—as rough and paint-encrusted as they are. My cats wouldn’t be painted as they are without them! I guess the Apple pencil is kind of cool too, but that’s because I got “KilkennyCat Art 😺” engraved on it.
Describe your art in three words:
cats, coffee, (I don’t know why a third word is hard!)
What do you listen to while you create (if anything)?
Urban exploring videos on YouTube.
Favorite tool in your studio?
My pencil. It’s about 4 inches long and if I lose it, it’s like I’ve lost my mind. My cat Willow steals it all the time.
A piece of advice that never worked for you?
“Watermark your images, they won’t be stolen if you do.”
Creativity is…
letting the images in your mind escape through your hands.
How has your artistic style evolved?
It definitely has. I still paint in my original style—people recognize it—but the iPad’s changed how I work. I can play more, start over without a mess, or hide a layer. It makes me braver.
How do you push through creative block or burnout?
Block? I just paint another coffee cat. I don’t think I’ve experienced burnout in 20 years.
What’s currently inspiring you outside of the art world?
The current political climate. And what I see outside my window—spring.
What’s one misconception about artists you’d like to change?
Frankly, that you can’t make a living being an artist. You can. It takes a lot of work, but I’ve done it.
What would you tell another artist who’s unsure whether to pursue copyright recovery?
Do it. I’ve already told other artists about EJIP. One even reached out to check if my TrustPilot review was real. If I can help even one artist get real support, I’ll be thrilled.
If you’re reading this and wondering whether your stolen work might qualify for recovery, Edwin James IP can help! Bonus points if you have any cat artwork.
