Friend of the gallery, Mandy Jakich, is the creative force behind the award-winning Creative Matters Podcast. In this insightful episode, Mandy speaks with Julie Battisti, painter, solo exhibiting artist, and host of her own podcast, The Creative Kind Podcast. Julie’s show delves into the nature of creativity, offering listeners inspiration and insights from fellow artists and professionals.

Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Julie moved to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2017, first settling in Rawene before making Dunedin her home. Her work, represented by Parnell Gallery in Auckland and Gallery de Novo in Dunedin, centres on two evocative themes: clouds and flowers, both of which explore the interplay of light and texture.

In this episode, Julie shares the intricacies of her creative process, from sourcing and photographing flowers to composing and painting her stunning floral works. She also reflects on the emotional resonance of her cloud paintings, initially inspired by feelings of homesickness and a desire to connect with loved ones across the Tasman.

Julie and Mandy discuss the challenges and rewards of balancing gallery representation, commissions, and her dual themes, as well as her journey to establishing meaningful connections with New Zealand galleries. They also touch on their shared experiences as podcast hosts, exploring the inspiration behind their shows and their hopes for the future.

This episode is a wonderful deep dive into Julie’s artistic world, offering a unique opportunity to hear her discuss her creative practice in her own words.

Click the graphic below to listen to the episode on Spotify now.