Leni Kae is a Sydney-based Australian artist, author & illustrator Leni Kae creates multidisciplinary work exploring the intersection of nature, symbolism, story, and inner awareness.
Her visual and written works are inspired by nature and its energy, reflecting the deep relationship between the natural world, the human spirit, and the emotional landscape.
“I love working intuitively with nature, as both artist and writer,” Leni shares. “Nature and the arts offer us reflections without judgment — opportunities to understand ourselves more deeply by feeling our pure, personal connection to them.”
Working across painting, illustration, books, and reflective writing, her practice bridges fine art and storytelling through flowing watercolour, layered textures, expressive splashes, drips, and intuitive mark-making. Inspired by birds, emotion, memory, and the natural world, the watercolour artist's work explores a space between observation and feeling — inviting moments of reflection, recognition, and connection.
Creative Philosophy
Leni's creative philosophy centres on the quiet language of the soul — how art becomes a mirror to our inner world. Line-art drawings feature prominently throughout her work, their symbolic forms extending the rhythm of her words. Through both brushstroke and story, she explores what it means to be human, connected, and alive within the greater rhythm of the universe.
“Art and nature invite us to visit the concept of unity and see ourselves as part of a bigger universe.” — Leni Kae
Educational Background
Leni’s creative and spiritual practice is supported by a diverse foundation of study that bridges the artistic, intuitive, and analytical. She holds certifications in Meditation Teaching, Colour Therapy, and Educational Psychology, along with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of New South Wales, where she also studied Higher Mathematics. She later completed postgraduate qualifications in Arts & Cultural Management at Deakin University where she achieved the Deans Award, and Marketing at CSU.
This balance between intuition and intellect deeply informs her approach to art — combining an understanding of colour, emotion, and consciousness with an appreciation for structure, rhythm, and universal pattern.
For Leni, education and creativity are intertwined: each field of study has enriched her awareness of connection — between logic and spirit, order and flow — and how art can bridge them to awaken and heal.
Enquiries
For artwork enquiries, commissions, collaborations, or stockist opportunities, please get in touch.
Exhibitions, Art Awards, Prizes
2012-2025
(2025) Finalist, Du Rietz Art Awards (current)
(2025) Salon de Refuses, Lethbridge Small Art Prize
(2024) Finalist, Whitewall Art Prize
(2023) Online Finalist, Lethbridge 20000 Small Scale Art Awards
(2022) Finalist, Lake Art Prize
(2022) Finalist, Whitewall Art Prize
(2022) Finalist, Art Lovers Australia Art Prize
(2022) Online Finalist, Lethbridge 20000 Small Scale Art Awards
(2021) Finalist, Whitewall Art Prize
(2021) Finalist, SBS Portrait Prize, VIC
2019-2020
(2020) Finalist, Heysen Prize for Landscape, SA
(2020) Finalist, Du Rietz Art Awards, Gympie Regional Galley QLD
(2020) Finalist, Mandorla Art Award WA
(2020) Finalist, Drummoyne Open Art Awards, NSW
(2020) Finalist, Art Lovers Australia Art Prize, Online Exhibition
(2020) Online Finalist, Lethbridge 20000 Small Scale Art Awards
(2020) Finalist, Petite Pieces Prize & Exhibition, Aspire Gallery QLD
(2019) Finalist, George’s River Art Prize & Exhibition, NSW
(2019) Finalist, Mornington Peninsula Landscape Prize & Exhibition, VIC
(2019) Foundations Choice, Kennedy Prize & Exhibition, SA
(2019) Finalist, Du Rietz Awards & Exhibition, Gympie Regional Gallery
(2019) Finalist, Mornington Peninsula Landscape Prize & Exhibition, QLD
(2019) Finalist Dean Cogle Portrait Prize & Exhibition, QLD
(2019) Finalist, SBS Portrait Art Prize & Exhibition, VIC
(2019) Finalist, Lethbridge Small Art Prize & Exhibition, QLD
OTHER SELECT EXHIBITIONS & ACHIEVEMENTS
(2016) Finalist, Brisbane Art Prize Finalist Exhibition QLD, AUS
(2016) Finalist (Gallery), Lethbridge Small Art Prize
(2016) Singleton Art Prize Exhibition, Hunter Valley AUS
(2013) Sydney Art Show, Exhibition showcase, Moore Park NSW
(2012) International Art Prize Exhibition, Chianciano Art Museum, Italy
(2011) International Artist Residency & Exhibition, Atahotel Varese Italy
(2009) International Florence Biennale Exhibition, Florence Italy
INTERNATIONAL RESIDENCIES, MUSEUM SHOWS AND BIENNALES
• (2012) International Art Prize and Exhibition “Art of the Mind”, Chianciano Art Museum, Tuscany
• (2011) International Artist Residency & Exhibition, Atahotel Varese Italy
• (2009) International Florence Biennale Exhibition, Florence Italy, Dec 2009