We are so thrilled to have Vic as one of our Willow Wolfe Ambassadors. Vic Hollins is a professional illustrator and mixed-media artist based in Tucson, AZ. With a strong foundation in the arts, Vic holds a BFA degree with a specialization in illustration. Her artistic journey has been profoundly influenced by the captivating beauty of the desert, intricate patterns, and a vibrant color palette.
In 2016, Vic proudly became an Artist Ambassador for Royal Talens North America. She has also collaborated with many esteemed art distributors such as Sakura, Sizzix, Strathmore, and Ampersand. Vic conducts educational workshops globally, where she encourages creativity and shares easy-to-follow steps and techniques suitable for beginners to advanced artists. Vic is a dream to have on our team and we are honoured to have her work with us.
Instagram: @vichollinsart
Website: https://vichollins.com/
“I think that mixed media can be very overwhelming for artists because the possibilities are limitless. If you’d like to get into mixed media, start with whatever supply resonates most with you. Typically, something water-based is a great foundation for mixed media work, whether that be watercolor or acrylic and you can work up and out from there.Because of the different qualities and attributes of combining supplies, there is a bit of a learning curve. Figuring out how to manipulate them and understanding how they complement or contrast with each other requires experimentation. And the best way to learn, is to literally just go for it. Don’t worry about creating a masterpiece, try to enjoy the process, and learn along the way. The art world can can feel like a very pretentious place, but it doesn’t have to be.“
“Art is so integral to my life– I can’t decide which type I enjoy making the most. Over the years I’ve come to see my indecision with picking a favorite art medium not as a weakness, but as a strength. Embracing mixed media allows me to blend various art supplies harmoniously. It’s a way for me to indulge in and appreciate multiple mediums simultaneously. The majority of my illustrations are watercolor on wood, combined with colored pencil, gouache, acrylic and ink. My favorite subject matter is illustrative portraiture– I love painting eyes, women and bright colors, layering patterns within my work. My artistic style is distinctly feminine and vibrant. I’ve refined my style from years of creating, learning, viewing and striving to be a better artist. I love making art accessible. Finding ways to help other artists create within their work is such a privilege. Every Thursday I teach at a senior home, and everyone is at a different point cognitively with what they’re able to do. So each week I come up with a project that I believe they can be successful with despite not only whatever artistic level they’re at, but cognitive level also. I have learned so much from my years working with them, but the thing that stands out above all else is the impact of art making. The actual act of making art can bring so much joy. In most cases, the result doesn’t even matter. Instead, we focus on enjoying the process. I now think of this often as I create in my studio. You must intentionally create art with love and try to enjoy the process— I promise you will end up with a more beautiful result. As far as my personal life goes, my Husband is also an artist. He’s a sign painter and letters or pinstripes cars, boats, motorcycles, etc. We love car culture, and going to car shows together. A few years ago, we built my 1969 Barracuda together. It’s been my dream car for as long as I could remember. I’ve always loved muscle cars from the mid-late 60’s and into the 70s. Back when things like appliances and cars were designed intentionally for not only aesthetic reasons, but also utility. Gorgeous body lines and history wrapped up in a fast car is really just an undeniable combination! I love how closely integrated art can be in different facets of life. I find that everything I enjoy is seen through an artistic lens. “
Written By:
Willow Wolfe
Willow Wolfe is widely recognized for challenging and modernizing today’s world of art supplies and education. An award-winning art teacher and the author of a library of internationally available learn to paint books and articles, her approachable style and step-by-step painting methods have taken her to events, seminars and engagements across the globe.
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