Title: Founder
Company: Diane Killeen Painting Studios
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Diane Nalty Killeen, Founder at Diane Killeen Painting Studios, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Artists for dedication, achievements, and leadership in the Art Industry.
Ms. Killeen has established a distinguished reputation in decorative painting and restoration, drawing on more than 25 years of professional experience. As the founder of Diane Killeen Painting Studios in Louisiana since 2000, she specializes in creating and restoring projects for clients. Her work blends history and art, elevating spaces and beautifying them. Ms. Killeen consults closely with design teams, architects and clients to ensure that every project meets the highest standards of historical accuracy and artistic excellence. Her responsibilities encompass traveling to project sites, developing detailed step-by-step techniques for each assignment, creating color swatches and recipes, and organizing tools and materials. Ms. Killeen also manages all aspects of her business’s logistics, as well as project planning and hands-on execution.
Throughout her career, Ms. Killeen has demonstrated expertise in collaboration and color matching, skills that have earned her recognition as a trusted resource among peers and clients alike. She is known for her ability to adapt to each project’s unique requirements by partnering with various artists and professionals as needed. This flexible approach allows Ms. Killeen to maintain the integrity of her work while fostering creative partnerships within the industry.
Ms. Killeen’s academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in art and psychology from Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia. Her dual major was inspired by a desire to help others through art as a therapeutic medium. Although she initially considered a career in therapy, Ms. Killeen ultimately found her calling in decorative painting after completing a City & Guilds of London Art School certification in decorative painting and restoration in 2000. This specialized training provided her with classical techniques that she now applies to both historical landmarks and contemporary settings.
Active in her professional community, Ms. Killeen is a member of the International Decorative Artisans League, reflecting her commitment to ongoing professional development and engagement with industry leaders. Beyond her business, she is actively involved in civic and educational initiatives. Ms. Killeen frequently volunteers with art-focused groups and mentors students in restoration classes, nurturing the next generation of artisans. For 10 years, she also served as a demonstrator at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, sharing her expertise with a broad audience. Additionally, Ms. Killeen has contributed as a board member and volunteer for church restoration projects and various community efforts through the Society of Gilders.
Ms. Killeen’s achievements include recognition from the Smithsonian Institution and a feature in the National Preservation Society Magazine, which highlighted women in the field. Moreover, she was featured in a 2025 Ladies Who Launch issue of New Orleans Magazine. Among Ms. Killeen’s most notable accomplishments, however, was receiving the Excellence in Historic Preservation award from the Louisiana Landmarks Society in 2023 for her work on the hand-painted ceiling at The Frederick Douglass Auditorium.
Among other notable works, Ms. Killeen traveled to the Bahamas to contribute to the main dining area at the Coral Sands Resort. Her extensive portfolio has also included a mural restoration at the Robinson-Jordan Mansion and the Latter Library, as well as numerous residential projects.
Reflecting on her career, Ms. Killeen credits much of her success to the support of family, friends and community members who encouraged her pursuit of excellence. She takes pride in having envisioned and built a successful company that operates effectively under her leadership while allowing her to continue learning from colleagues with diverse skill sets.
Born in New Orleans, Ms. Killeen values collaboration within her teams and aims to guide them toward greater independence while maintaining high standards of quality and integrity. Although she has never sought rapid expansion for its own sake, she recognizes opportunities to invest further in team autonomy so that her legacy endures through continued excellence under her name. Ms. Killeen hopes to be remembered as someone who lived her passion with humility and grace, valuing meaningful work, collaborative processes and artistic integrity above personal acclaim or fame.
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