AZC:

What motivated you to get started as an artist?

HA:

I believe i was born an artist, i have been  creating and a part of the arts community my entire life, as a young adult I did not think pursuing an art career was a smart choice so I chose another path.   I finally had the opportunity as an adult to pursue my passion when I was diagnosed with some bad news and my life just came to a halt, I will try to explain the short version of my story:

At the age of 21, I was diagnosed with an extremely debilitating muscular/skeletal disorder.  Since 2005 I've had ten back surgeries, lost most of my mobility, and my active lifestyle.  I was unable to keep my job so I guess that was the big motivator of really trying to create and be able to live off the sales of my artwork.

I started studying the history of art, techniques and painted on anything that was paintable!  Painting and experimenting with color has lifted my mood, eased my pain and loss, more than any prescription drug ever could.  I've devoted countless hours to studying art and alternative healing. Working through my own personal pain and mobility challenges, I've discovered how healing art can be.  I am a walking testimony that proves our surroundings have a lot to do with how we feel, function, and heal.  We are emotions and emotions are us...

AZC:

What type of material do you use in the development of your works?

HA:

I am a mixed media artist.  I create textures and sculpt with polymer emulsions, create abstract cubism pieces with magazine clippings and acrylics.  I also build 3-Dimensional pieces with glass beads, polymer discs, and mesh tape.  My one-of-a-kind "Fluid Abstracts" are oil paint, acrylic, and artist ink.  I also stretch 90% of my own canvas and build my own wood panels.

AZC:

How would you categorize your art?

HA:

I personally don’t like to categorize my art as a specific style.  Ive been told my work is organic, unique , fresh and new to the mind.  My older work is very structured and linear featuring a lot of texture and impasto work with knives.  My newer work is a mix of impasto and marbling which is a techniqe that dates back to the 15th century.  If i had to categorize my art, it would be in the modern, contemporary abstract family.

AZC:

What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you while being observed developing a piece?

HA:

I do not have anything funny to share, YET...but I paint live every week!

AZC:

Will you share a secret about your art that identifies and brands your work?

HA:

I am working on a signature style (I've only been painting professionally for 10 months).  I believe today my work is recognizable by the mix of texture and marbling which has to do with the polymers I mix and the size knives I use.  I've spent a lot of time experimenting with and developing the "perfect pour," which is a mix of fluid acrylics, and the artist ink, filtered water & pouring medium.  There are no brushstrokes in my paintings because my tool of choice is non-traditional material.  I enjoy blowing the paint around gently with a straw - that is my biggest "secret."

AZC:

What advice would you give someone just starting up in your profession?

HA:

You must be self-motivated, resourceful, take part in networking, search for take advantage of every opportunity.  Collaborate with other artists of all types of media, volunteer to help set up for big shows, persevere through months of not selling anything.  Do good work and put pieces everywhere- shops, eateries, boutiques, salons, galleries, museums, offices etc. so people can see your work in person versus the internet.

AZC:

What’s the most difficult aspect of trying to make it in your profession?

HA:

I am self-taught and self-represented which means I do all the work/research/promoting etc. myself.  A lot of time is spent networking, applying for juried shows in the us and all over the world, along with contacting publishers and other companies that need art.  With everything there is supply and demand.  You have to find the need for your specifc style of art and exhaust every avenue.

AZC:

What is your proudest achievement?

HA:

It had been ten months since I sold my first painting, and it was from that day forward I decided I was NOT going to be a starving artist.  My perseverance has paid off and I have been able to support myself off of my art sales.  My doctors, peers, and family encouraged me to apply for unemployment or disability and I refused to do it.   My doctors can't even believe how good I am doing mobility and pain wise; they are amazed.  I am proud to say I have the greatest job in the world!  As a working artist, I am living my dream.

AZC:

Where and when can we see you see your work?

HA:

You can see my work on line or in person at the following locations:

online my work can be found on facebook.com, etsy.com, fineartamerica.com and, zhibit.org

offline my work can be found at several locations throughout Arizona including a group show hosted by Artist Jesse Perry and myself at a temporary gallery space @ 1st Street and Washington during the month of January.  On the 7th of January I  will be demonstrating my technique at Artwerks Lateral 58 in Glendale and instructing a class in fluid painting.  On the 13th of January I will be at ASU's Gallery 411 6 - 8 pm in the UCENT Lobby, ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus at 411 North Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85016.  There I will be spreading the word about action, advocacy & arts - an open mind is a canvas for change, doing interactive art with the crowd and showcasing my building blocks piece.

My impasto fire energy series is hanging at Sutra Midtown 2317 North 7th Street  Phoenix while my abstract floral and landscapes are at Bloom Studios 1206 East Warner Rd in Gilbert.  I also have rotating artwork at locations throughout the valley.  If you are interested in upcoming shows/events please "like" my facebook page.  I post my schedule there weekly.

AZC:

We'll be looking for you to post those events on our AZCulture Member's Event Calendar as well.

AZC:

Anything that you would like to tell the world?

HA:

I am an artist with an amazing story. I am a survivor of many things and have shattered the paradigm of false limits when it comes to healing the western way.  My paintings are emotionally driven and one of a kind. They are interesting, colorful and full of unique textures, movement and wonder.  Beginning this January ( January 7th 2012 to be specific ) I am teaming up with internal arts professional/martial arts teacher Richard Shapiro, and together we will be spending time with groups fusing bagua zhang / tai chi with art.

I myself have personally been a sufferer of chronic widespread pain and arthritis from a very young age and will be demonstrating with live presentations, how to combat the debilitating effects of physical and mental pain/disorders with creating movement via tai chi and fluid abstract artwork.  Feel good TODAY, Love Yourself and Move Well Tomorrow!

I am on a mission to change lives and rid our population of prescription drugs for pain and depression. I have only two rules #1 you must bring your patience with you and #2 a positive attitude.  Avantageux (french ) means Advantageous in English. Everything about my art stands behind something powerful and meaningful when it comes to healing and letting go of all old beliefs / behaviors ....so please believe me, let go and let art start healing what you currently suffer from.

I will spend my life showing you the way ~ Love and Healing ♥ Holly

General Information

I paint. I teach. I inspire >> Please Inquire

Biography

My current works of art are inspired from within and by what I see in nature.  Ambiguity is important to me and so is texture and feel.  When I create art in public, crowds suddenly form and individuals who were never interested in art want to reach out and 'touch' and 'feel' my paintings. They become a transformed being with a new appreciation and understanding that each piece is truly an escape that they can experience and get lost in, which is quite a remarkable feeling some days.  I never know what the finished product is going to look like, I don't have expectations when I start a piece.  I do not like to be labeled as a particular type of artist, I paint what I feel and that is what I believe in.

My story is L O N G, but here's the short version:

I am a self-taught artist.  At the age of 21 I was diagnosed with an extremely debilitating muscular/skeletal disorder and spondylosis.  Since then I"ve had ten back surgeries, lost most of my mobility, and my active lifestyle.  I was unable to keep my job so I started writing, studying art and painting.

Painting and experimenting with color has lifted my mood, eased my pain and loss more than any prescription drug ever could have.  I am a walking testimony that proves our surroundings have a lot to do with how we feel, function, and heal.  We are emotions, and emotions are us.

I share with you here all original works of art that promote healing, inspiration, and life changing effects.

I am heavily involved in the Arizona Art Scene.  I volunteer and participate in several grassroots organizations/projects and devote 5 days a week to JUST art and the art community.  To learn more about my community involvement "LIKE" my page on FB and AZCulture, and weekly you will be informed of where I am and what I am doing!

Finally!  Keep an open mind and heart always.  Create what you feel, NOT what you think will sell.

To contact Holly, or to see more of her work, visit her profile here: http://www.azculture.com/community/555-hollyandersonart/profile