Artist

Heather's work is rooted in the belief that there is more to life than what we see—there is a divine order behind the chaos, a light that breaks through the dark. Her faith in God shapes not only her art, but her entire way of seeing the world. Through each brushstroke, she seeks to reveal glimpses of the unseen—those sacred, often hidden places where beauty, pain, and hope collide.

 

Bio

Heather Dawn Batchelor is an internationally recognized artist known for her expressive abstract work that blends movement, emotion, and elegance. Her paintings radiate both visual and spiritual energy, inviting viewers to engage with both the seen and the unseen.

With a background in both fine art and entrepreneurship, Batchelor studied at the Herron School of Art and Design in Indianapolis and abroad, ultimately earning her B.G.S. She went on to launch Paul & Lydia, a successful equestrian handbag company that became an internationally recognized brand, sold in stores and online.

After stepping away from the business in 2017, she returned to what she had always known—expressing herself through art. Painting became her primary medium, allowing her to bring emotion, energy, and elegance to life on canvas.

In addition to her abstract work, Batchelor enjoys illustration. She is currently illustrating the ongoing children’s book series Bunny’s HeART and has contributed illustrations to the past two volumes of The Scout Guide Ocala. She is also developing her Colorful Horses collection—a vibrant series that draws on her deep personal connection to horses and her lifelong love of the equestrian world. Whether creating small, expressive works or large-scale wall pieces, her art uses bold color and gestural movement to reflect personal memories and lived experience.

She now lives in Ocala, Florida with her husband and paints full time. Deeply committed to fostering artistic growth in her community, she serves as Development Director at 8th Ave Gallery, teaches art classes at the Appleton Museum of Art, participates in events with the Marion Cultural Alliance, and leads painting workshops at her church. Through these roles, she shares her knowledge of art history, technique, and visual language—empowering others to deepen their appreciation for abstract expressionism and discover their own creative voice.

Artist Statement

My work explores the interplay between chaos and control —where spontaneity meets intention, and raw energy is harnessed into a refined composition. Each painting is a dialogue between movement and rest, light and dark, intuition and precision, freedom and structure.

Inspired by abstract expressionism yet deeply personal in its execution, my process is both instinctive and deliberate. Layers of sweeping, unrestrained gestures collide with intentional marks and structured elements, creating a tension that is both unpredictable and composed. There is a moment in every piece where the composition demands a resolution, where a balance must be struck - yet it is never tamed entirely.

Much like the natural world—where uncontrolled elements sculpt landscapes into unimaginable beauty—or a wild horse bolts across a field untamed yet elegant, my paintings embrace that same duality. They are portals into a world where the unpredictable is shaped into something timeless, where the wild meets the refined, and where art becomes an experience of both immediate sensation and future revelation.

Collected internationally and curated into luxury interiors, my work is sought after by those who understand that true beauty exists in contrast—the push and pull of forces that seem at odds, yet together create something extraordinary.