About Holly - Artist's Statement
Retiring from a life long career in teaching in 2008 left me with a huge hole to fill, and I will be forever grateful that I gave painting a try. I had tried to paint once when I was a teenager, but quickly decided I wasn't gifted in that area and to look for my passion elsewhere. Who knew it would take nearly 45 years before I would give myself permission to try it again.
Now at the ripe old age of 65, I think I am much less critical of my efforts and I have found a real outlet for my creativity in painting. I began with watercolours but quickly added acrylics to the mix, and I love both mediums. I started off painting flowers, landscapes, and still life arrangements, but I have also become interested in portraiture, life drawing, animals and abstracts. I love colour and texture, which can be seen through my work as it is often quite bold and bright. Lately I have been playing a lot with mixed media, adding pastel, netting, ink, and collage materials to paintings. |
|
Once I began painting, I started looking for teachers and instruction and joined two groups of painters in Vernon - The Okanagan Artists of Canada and the North Okanagan Federation of Canadian Artists. Through these groups, I have been able to attend workshops and expand my horizons. I also started entering shows and have been part of Artwalk in Lake Country for the last 4 years, and the annual show at Paddlewheel Hall sponsored by the OAC group. My work has also been featured in local restaurants, medical clinics and art galleries.
I must be a late bloomer because I discovered playing the harp when I was almost 50 and it too is now a passion. Horses appeared when we sold our home and bought a 7 acre farm in Coldstream, and they have also brought me many hours of joy. When you add gardening, bike riding and hiking to the mix, you can understand why my biggest problem is finding enough time in the day for all my hobbies.
Sometimes I have to pinch myself because I have such a good life. Pay attention to what gives you pleasure and don’t be afraid to try something new. It could open a whole universe that you never knew existed!
I must be a late bloomer because I discovered playing the harp when I was almost 50 and it too is now a passion. Horses appeared when we sold our home and bought a 7 acre farm in Coldstream, and they have also brought me many hours of joy. When you add gardening, bike riding and hiking to the mix, you can understand why my biggest problem is finding enough time in the day for all my hobbies.
Sometimes I have to pinch myself because I have such a good life. Pay attention to what gives you pleasure and don’t be afraid to try something new. It could open a whole universe that you never knew existed!