Mitchell, Holly
Artist Statement
My artwork reflects my love of art and writing, as well as my interest in recycling. Each of my little people is made from handmade and recycled objects. The heads of each figure are a handmade soft sculpture part, hand painted and colored. The remainder of the piece is made using recycled found and old objects, as they are, or repurposed into different shapes as needed for the piece. Each piece is accompanied by a story that brings their character to life.My fish are new to my artistic repertoire. Growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, I spent a great deal of time in and on the water, so it only seems natural that fish would make there way into my work. Each piece is made using found objects and old parts, recycled and repurposed into whimsical fish. Their names oftentimes are telling of my thoughts at the time I made them, and this whimsy is very telling of who I am as a person and artist. My paintings reflect my love of animals, farm life and, also, the folk art influence in my art. They are colorful, using recycled books, paper, and various other things I can get my hands on. I try to use recycled boards, wood, and paper on which to do my paintings.
About Artist Holly Mitchell
My name is Holly Mitchell and I am a self-taught artist. I live in Travelers Rest, South Carolina. I grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, and attended The University of the South, or Sewanee, as it is better known, where I received a degree in Art History and English. My artwork reflects my love of art and writing, as well as my interest in recycling. I spend a great deal of time outside, hiking, farming, gardening and enjoying the small farm I share with my husband and son, and a menagerie of chickens, dogs and a rabbit, as well as an assortment of wild visitors from the woods. The solitude of rural living along with my childhood in Florida influence the subject matter and mood of my pieces. Each little person I create reflects the weather, the goings on about the farm, my lack of sleep and the books I am reading at the moment. I like to think that each piece of art is a part of me at the time of its creation, allowing a feeling to flow through my creative process and connecting with the person who ultimately takes that piece home.
Artist Code: HM
