Hello, I’m Holly, a Scottish Artist and Illustrator who made the move to the Henley  area in 2012 with my then, very young family.

 

I studied illustration at Edinburgh College of Art where I gained a First Class Honours degree as well as a Master’s degree in the subject. It was during my Master’s degree that a passion for teaching developed and I went onto teach there within the Illustration department for a further 7 years, setting illustration briefs as well as a range of dynamic and challenging drawing classes.

 

A love of writing and illustrating children’s books was born during my time at ECA and I have been lucky enough to have had 8 of my own authored and illustrated picture books published so far, as well as illustrating several picture books for others. It is a fascinating, challenging but very rewarding creative field to work in and one that continues to inspire me. 

 

My work as an artist is characterised by a lively approach to line, colour and characterisation, something I love sharing and encouraging in my classes. I teach in an informal and non-prescriptive style, encouraging individuals to find their own creative voice - we all have one, even if it is a little quietly spoken at first!

 

I am beyond excited to come on board as Assistant Director of the Henley School of Art. Jo and I met through her Zoom Life-Drawing sessions and when the opportunity arose to join her in the studio and become part of her wonderful school, it seemed like the most fantastically serendipitous moment. It is a rare thing in life when you meet someone who makes you feel totally welcome and at ease, but that is exactly how I felt with Jo. Jo and the school were the very thing that I didn’t know were missing in my life and the creative potential that lies ahead of us is truly inspiring.