Today we’d like to introduce you to Hollie Berry.
Hollie, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I grew up, went to school, and married my high school sweetheart in Katy, TX (we’ve been married 12 years now). I’ve been drawing and painting since I was old enough to hold a pencil, and I was one of those crazy horse girls that never grew out of that “phase”. I cut my teeth on the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo school art program, winning a scholarship my senior year.
I went on to earn my BFA in studio art from UT Austin. After graduating, I helped put my husband through engineering school at the University of Houston. When he graduated, he got a job in Chattanooga, TN where we’ve lived ever since. Since moving here I’ve had the opportunity to try my hand at public murals, even becoming the local team leader on a 40,000 square foot mural that wraps a city block. These days however I spend more time in my studio creating both commissions and independent work of a more portable size.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I love to paint anything that breathes…this includes all animals, even the occasional human. I specialize in horse and rider portrait commissions as I have extensive practice capturing both human and equine likenesses. Ever since I was small, horses have dominated most of my artwork. They seem to be the one thing I can never tire of painting. I’m often asked what it is about horses that so fascinates me. The best explanation I’ve come up with is that to me, their very existence is miraculous, as if dragons or griffons were commonplace and nobody seemed particularly impressed by this fantastical reality.
Their grace, power, and athleticism are difficult to match as an artistic subject. Art is capable of forging a unique emotional connection with the viewer that goes beyond language. I use this visual language to share with the world what I see in my mind’s eye. I’m constantly amazed how often people approach me after seeing one of my paintings and describe the same feelings I experienced when I was working on that piece. My primary medium is oil painting, which I started training in at age nine, though recently I have also been working extensively in “Torch Painting”, a new medium I developed in which I use propane torches to burn images directly into raw wood panels.
What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
I don’t think the role of artists ever changes, only the importance that society places on that role. It certainly feels like our perceived value is eroding, and nothing makes that more painfully clear than the corresponding loss of funding for the arts in our public schools. Creativity is not something you can easily test for on a scantron, so it always seems to be first on the chopping block when times get lean. If this trend continues, we’ll all pay the price in the long run as our economy continues to transition from an industrial to idea based. Personally, I don’t know where I’d be if I didn’t have regular access to art classes in public school.
My beloved art teacher retired the year I graduated, and I found out a few years later they replaced her with a coach rather than a certified art instructor. In my district, most schools have no art teacher, no art room, not even a budget for art supplies to allow interdisciplinary projects. In some of these schools, I teach part time in a grant funded program that is able to offer second graders (the last grade before standardized testing) just five art lessons a year. Many of our students have never used paints or pastels before. Teachers report even this tiny art program seems to make a difference; students are excited about coming to school, their behavior improves, and they engage more meaningfully in their other classes throughout the day.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You can see my available and past work on my website (www.HollieBerryArt.com) and you can see my latest works in progress and behind the scenes on social media. Although I am currently welcoming gallery inquiries, I make most of my sales online and directly out of my studio. I love working on custom commissions for clients, and I ship all over the US. Of course, the best way to support working artists is always to buy original artwork for your home or business!
You would be surprised how affordable small originals can be, and of course there’s always limited-edition prints too! Even if you’re not ready to buy, you can still support me by following me on social media and by sharing my art with your friends…especially your horsey friends!
Contact Info:
- Address: 302 W 6th St. Studio 4B
Chattanooga TN 37402 - Website: http://www.hollieberryart.com/
- Phone: 832-576-9441
- Email: Hollie@HollieBerryArt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artinstincts/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtInstinct/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheArtInstinct
Image Credit:
Personal photo: Shot Stalker Photography.
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
