Kelley Batson-Howard

Born in Anniston, Alabama, Kelley Batson-Howard was raised surrounded by the beauty and complexity of a family-owned commercial greenhouse business. From an early age, she developed a deep appreciation for the natural world through her exposure to vibrant foliage and blooming plants. Kelley's passion for art began in her teenage years, nurtured by school art classes and inspiring trips to Europe. Immersed in the majesty of museums filled with revered masterpieces and centuries-old churches, she discovered an innate desire to create.

Her artistic journey has drawn inspiration from a broad spectrum, including historical fashion and modern painting, with notable influences such as Jackson Pollock. She was particularly moved by Pollock’s energetic technique of splattering paint onto large canvases. Without formal art training, Kelley cultivated her skills independently, honing her craft through persistent experimentation and exploration. This process helped shape her unique abstract expressionist style.

After dedicating many years to family and business responsibilities, Kelley’s artistic passion was reignited in her 50s. Painting became a liberating outlet from business-related stresses, and she redirected her energy toward developing her talents. This period also marked her connection with an art collaborative, a milestone she regards as pivotal in her creative evolution.

Kelley’s work reflects her deep admiration for natural beauty, her personal experiences, emotional depth, and a fascination with how various paints and mediums interact on canvas. These influences merge to form vibrant abstract expressionist pieces that honor the legacy of artists like Pollock, Mark Rothko, Joan Mitchell, and Elaine de Kooning. Additionally, her long-standing love of boating informs her landscape paintings, which capture many tranquil moments spent on the water.

Her painting process is largely intuitive, often beginning with a simple color plan before allowing spontaneous interactions among paints and mediums to guide the creation. Each artwork serves as a reflection of her emotions and spirit, and remembrances of the textures in our world, lending a deep personal quality to her pieces. A passionate advocate for self-expression, Kelley is dedicated to producing art that resonates from within.

Today, Kelley is an active member of several respected arts organizations, including The Beaux Arts Group of Central Florida, the Florida Women's Art Association, and the Marion Cultural Alliance. Her work has been exhibited in numerous Central Florida galleries such as Jane’s Art Center in New Smyrna Beach, City Arts Orlando, Orlando Museum of Art via the First Thursday’s program, Mount Dora Center for the Arts, Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, and Art Spotlight Gallery in Ormond Beach, FL.

She regularly participates in international online exhibits through Camelback Gallery’s juried shows and Biafarin. Recently, her work has also been featured digitally in exhibitions held in Quebec, Berlin, and Strasbourg, France, via Artboxy. Over the years, she has received multiple honors, including Best in Show and Finalist awards from Camelback Gallery. Her art has even appeared on the cover of the American Journal of Critical Care, highlighting her distinctive contribution to the contemporary art scene.

 In summary, Kelley’s art serves as her voice and message to the world  - a vivid palette of colors and textures as well as emotional landscapes that express her values, beliefs, and memories. Rooted in her past, present, and future aspirations, Kelley Batson-Howard’s creative journey is an ongoing path of self-discovery, unfolding one brushstroke and creation at a time.