MELANIE KILBY ARTIST & ILLUSTRATOR
about me
Melanie Kilby
Artist and illustrator
I'm a full time, professional illustrator and artist, now living in Hobart, Tasmania, having recently moved from Brisbane, Queensland.
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I balance my art practice between commissioned and personal work, illustration and occasionally teaching the occasional drawing workshop.
After having spent my whole working life as a graphic Designer, I took a brief hiatus in 2017 and opened a little indoor plant, art and homewares store in Brisbane called Botanika by Kismet.
During that time, my love of drawing that I'd lost since finishing an Illustration degree so many years earlier was reignited. I closed my shop, set up a home studio and have since, completed nearly 230 portraits.
I've had a lot of good times since – including co-founding Finite Art Space, a pop up art gallery in Paddington, writing and illustrating a children's book called Clare Don't Care and illustrating another called Pepe and the Secret Sauce for author Deana Tynan.
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I've recently created some beautiful illustrated packaging for Ivy & Wood and Kettlehead Tea along with other amazing clients. You'll find some of my favourite work here.
I'm always open to drawing and illustration commissions, so get in touch if you have a specific project you'd like to discuss. Email field at the bottom of the page.
Studio photo courtesy of Peter McMahon 2020.
my career in short...
BVA Illustration Griffith University Queensland College of Art. Graduated 1998.
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BA Graphic Design University of the Sunshine Coast. Graduated 2003.
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I have over 23 years experience working as a Graphic Designer/Illustrator in Brisbane and London for a range of clients in retail, travel, advertising and not-for-profit.
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HIGHLIGHTS:
2025
• Finalist Brisbane Portrait Prize, Salon de Refuses with 'From Olive Roots, Wattle Blooms'.
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2024
• Finalist Brisbane Portrait Prize, Salon de Refuses with 'Look But Don't Listen'.
• Finalist Brisbane Rotary Art Show 'A Thousand Yards' and 'So Frenchy So Chic'.
• Illustrated children's book, Pepe and the Secret Sauce.
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2023
• Finalist Brisbane Portrait Prize, Salon de Refuses with 'A Thousand Yards' and 'Grace'.
• Finalist Lethbridge 20,000 Small Scale Art Award with 'Colour Behind the Uniform'.
• Wrote, Illustrated & Published children's book, Clare Don't Care.
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2022
• Finalist Brisbane Portrait Prize, Salon de Refuses with 'Colour Behind the Uniform'.
• Finalist Lethbridge 20,000 Small Scale Art Award - COMMENDATION for 'Pure Joy'.
2021
• Finalist Brisbane Portrait Prize with 'Shortchanged'.
• Finalist Lethbridge 20,000 Small Scale Art Award with 'Honeytrap'.
2020
• Finalist Lethbridge 20,000 Small Scale Art Award with 'Last Train Home'.
• Finalist Brisbane Portrait Prize, Salon de Refuses with 'Bri Lee'.
2019
• Finalist Lethbridge 10,000 Small Scale Art Award with 'Tigerlilly'.
2017
• Finalist Lethbridge 10,000 Small Scale Art Award with 'Blink of an Eye'.
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SOLO & GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
• TOO MUCH NOT ENOUGH. Nov 2023, Studio on Brunswick Gallery, Fortitude Valley.
• FINITE ART SPACE. July 2021 to December 2021, 37 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington.
• ENTWINED. September 2019 at The Studio Brisbane, Latrobe Terrace, Paddington.
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Starting as a side project, my pet portraiture has kinda taken off and makes an excellent (and thoughtful) gift for loved ones. My portraits have been described as "beautifully detailed and wonderfully emotive".
Whether it's large or small scale, traditional or digital, I'll work with you to bring your ideas to life. Get in touch for a chat about your requirements.
Art prints, original art and merch, you can find it here.
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Order pet portraits here too!