THE QUIET MOMENTS: Maidstone figurative artist Kejii
Contemporary figurative artist Kejii on jazz, identity and capturing something deeper
Maidstone artist Balikis Badru, who works under the name Kejii's Art, is building a practice centred on emotion, identity and human connection.
A contemporary figurative artist, Kejii (@_kejii__) creates expressive oil and acrylic paintings inspired by music, personal experiences and the rhythms of everyday life. Rather than pursuing photographic realism, she focuses on atmosphere, movement and storytelling to capture moments of vulnerability, resilience and reflection.
Guided by the belief that “people are stories”, the self-taught painter uses colour and movement to explore memory and presence. We got in touch to find out more.
Can you tell us a little about your background and in which ways - if any - your personal history or life experience has influenced your work?
I am a Nigerian-born visual artist based in Kent. My artistic journey has always been rooted in storytelling and human connection. From an early age, I found myself fascinated by people’s emotions and the stories that could be told through expression, colour and composition without even doing too much. Moving to the UK broadened my perspective and strengthened my appreciation for identity, culture and the experiences that shape us. Those personal experiences continue to influence my work, encouraging me to create paintings that invite reflection, spark conversation and celebrate the beauty of human emotion and freedom.
How did your journey as an artist begin? Did you follow formal training, or are you largely self-taught?
Art has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I studied art in high school and winning the best art student overall gave me more confidence in pursuing art. While I have pursued master’s and bachelor’s degrees in other fields, my development as an artist has been largely self-taught. Through years of consistent practice, experimentation and studying the work of artists I admire, I have gradually developed my own approach and artistic voice.
Being self-taught has allowed me the freedom to explore without limitations and to let curiosity guide my creative growth.
How would you describe your approach to portraiture, and what draws you to this particular style or way of working?
My approach to portraiture focuses on more than simply recreating a person’s appearance. I strive to capture emotion, character and the quiet moments that reveal something deeper about the individual. Light, colour and texture play an important role in creating atmosphere. I want my art to encourage people to pause, observe and connect on a personal level.
Which artists, movements or experiences have had the greatest influence on your work, and why?
I’m inspired by artists who combine technical excellence with emotional storytelling. Contemporary realism, expressive portraiture and classical oil painting have all influenced the way I think about composition, light and form.
Beyond art itself, everyday life is my greatest source of inspiration. People’s experiences, resilience, relationships and the beauty found in ordinary moments continually inspire the stories I choose to tell through my paintings.
Can you walk us through your creative process, from the initial idea to the finished portrait?
Every painting begins with an idea, emotion or story I want to communicate. Much of my inspiration comes from music and films. For example, one of my series, The Four Elements: Fire, Earth, Water and Air, was inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender, while The Last Sets was inspired by jazz music. I spend time gathering references, developing compositions and thinking carefully about how colour and lighting can strengthen the narrative. Once I begin painting, I build the work gradually in layers, allowing it to evolve naturally.
What do you hope people notice, feel or take away when they spend time with your portraits?
I hope people feel something when they spend time with my work. Whether it’s curiosity, nostalgia, empathy or inspiration, I want each portrait to create a meaningful emotional connection. For me, portraiture is about reminding us that every individual has a story worth seeing and hearing. If someone leaves one of my paintings with a different perspective or a moment of reflection, then I feel the work has achieved its purpose.
How do you see your work evolving in the future and are there any new subjects, techniques or projects you’re excited to explore?
As my practice continues to evolve, I’m excited to explore larger bodies of work centred on identity, human connection and storytelling while continuing to develop my technical skills and experiment with new ideas.
I’m also looking forward to collaborating with galleries, organisations and community projects that make art more accessible and encourage meaningful conversations. My goal is to continue creating work that resonates emotionally while remaining authentic to my artistic journey.
INFO: www.kejiis-art.com
