About Me
Hi, I’m Kelly Batsiokis, a Brisbane-based artist drawn to soulful faces, flowers that whisper, and stories that bloom where words fall short.
I began my creative journey painting vibrant, personality-filled birds. They were more than a subject. They were a safe space. Through some of the hardest chapters of my life, including an abusive relationship and the grief of losing my mum to kidney cancer, birds became my way to breathe, feel free, and keep going. They still hold a special place in my heart.
Over time, my practice evolved into mixed-media portraiture. Floral motifs and layered textures now explore identity, resilience, and the quiet magic of being seen.
Before committing fully to my art practice, I spent many years working across health, social services, and not-for-profit sectors, alongside more than a decade teaching anatomy, physiology, and bioscience. This background deeply informs my figurative work. I’m attentive to the body, gesture, and what is carried beneath the surface, both physically and emotionally.
Stepping away from a stable, high-income career was a deliberate choice. I believe art has a meaningful role in community engagement and public health awareness. My practice sits at the intersection of lived experience, science, and care, and that lens shapes how I approach both personal work and commissions, with respect for context, ethics, and real-world impact.
I’m a Defence spouse originally from Adelaide, now calling Queensland home. Until recently, I also worked with Abt Global and served as a Board Director for NoBarriers. These roles shaped how I understand wellbeing, resilience, and community. Today, I’m fully self-employed, pouring my energy into making art that connects.
Commissions now open
I take on a small number of custom commissions each year, creating one-of-a-kind artworks in my signature style, shaped around your story and space.
Commissions are a good fit if you’re drawn to my work and want something made just for you, whether to mark a milestone, honour a story, or create a piece for a specific space.
The process begins with a conversation. From there, I’ll guide you through size, materials, timing and budget.
My work has shown up in unexpected places, from street art festivals to gallery walls, and has found its way into homes across Australia and overseas. I hope it continues to spark something soft, powerful, and true.
You can find me on Instagram @kellybatsiokis, or peeking out from behind my easel, probably deciding whether a flower should fall to the left or the right.
Let’s stay connected - I share behind-the-scenes notes, previews of new work, and occasional studio secrets through my newsletter.
You can join here by downloading my free mini guide, Beyond the Couch: Styling Art That Speaks to You - a short, soulful read to help you style original art with confidence and heart.