Holly Holder

I'm originally from London and trained with the BBC, where I worked as a make-up artist for 26 years. Due to a rare genetic eye disorder, Retinitis Pigmentosa, I am now registered legally blind. Having transferred my artistry from face to canvas, I use my instinctive understanding of colour, tone and shading as a professional artist.

My impressionistic style derives from my lack of vision as I rely on instinctive strokes to convey the powerful imagery of my imagination. My paintings have thus become more fluid, though references to landscape still emerge.

I have always felt a strong connection with nature and am inspired by its power and beauty, especially the ocean. Japan, the Scottish highlands and Islands with their mountains and waterfalls are among my favourite places. I also enjoy Gaelic and Norse mythology and the Japanese influence is clearly visible in some of my earlier work.

I work mainly in watercolour and acrylic inks on canvas and paper. With a strong passion for colour, depth and texture I invite the viewer to challenge their perceptions of blindness and to emotionally connect with my paintings through a sense of mood, place or feeling.

Since launching my art career last year, I have had my first solo ex...

October - November 2017: solo exhibition ‘One year On’ at Art in the Mill, Knaresborough
July- August 2017: group exhibition ‘Feva Festival’ at Art in the Mill, Knaresborough
June - August 2017: group exhibition ‘100 Artists from 11 Countries’ at Kunsthuis Gallery, Crayke
February - April 2017: group exhibition ‘In with the New’ at Silson Contemporary, Harrogate
October - December 2016: group exhibition ‘New Beginnings’ at Silson Contemporary, Harrogate
October - November 2016: solo exhibition ‘Out of the Dark’ at Art in the Mill, Knaresborough
September 2016: solo exhibition at Harrogate Flower Show