Meet Hull-Based Artist Holly Bright Ahead of Her Return to Living North's Christmas Fair
Hull-based artist Holly Bright tells us more about her colourful creations
Tell us about your background – how did you get into art?
I’m a Yorkshire-born and -based artist and a 2020 graduate of the University of Brighton, and have since taken my practise full time, specialising in abstract portraiture. During my time at university I fell back in love with painting – trying to capture the beauty in the small things has often been the driving force in my work.
Describe your artistic style.
Bold and colourful. I consider myself a bit of a modern impressionist. I trained in realism for a little while and as much as I think it is important to know the basics for any painter, I love abstract work that has the ability to contrast and complement the world around it as opposed to trying to mimic something that is already here.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Everything! My style has evolved quite a bit over the past few years and I try to keep parts of that process with me while searching for what catches my eye next. At the moment most of my work is about capturing the little things in life both in my illustration work and larger painterly pieces.
What’s it like running your business in Yorkshire?
Hull is my home town and having a studio there feels like such a full circle moment. The art scene is ever-growing here and it’s exciting to be a small part of it. It’s no secret that up North is undeniably friendly. I studied in Brighton and absolutely loved my time there but there’s something to be said for the place that feels like home.
How do you create your artwork?
Most of my work starts with a loose sketch and evolves from there. I use anything from gouache to house paint to achieve a thick, painterly texture to my canvas. A question I get asked a lot is ‘how do you know where to place the paint?,’ and the honest answer is, I don’t. I work with a colour palette technique, using a limited number of colours I think complement one another. Using layers to my advantage I’ll begin creating brush strokes at random. Once dry I identify what’s missing and start the process again. The hardest part about this is learning when to stop. On the edge of overworking is often where I find my paintings.
Would you ever consider opening a bricks and mortar shop?
I currently have a few stockists for my print and card designs. I love being surrounded by fellow artists and would consider opening a shop in the future to showcase not only my work but other makers as well. Having said this, I currently travel a bit too much to be tied to one place, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Finding inspiration in the places I am lucky enough to visit is often when I create my favourite pieces.
What are you working on right now?
A new collection which I can’t wait to share at Living North’s Christmas Fair this year, along with trade shows and events across the country.
What can we expect from you at Living North’s Christmas Fair?
Portraits, prints and more! I am so excited to be returning to Living North’s Christmas Fair this year with a brand new collection along with some original work, and of course I will be painting live across the event. The support last year was absolutely mind-blowing. I felt so grateful to paint hundreds of lovely faces and I hope we get to do it all over again this year.
What does the future hold for you?
In the near future, a new collection and solo show. I’ve recently hired a few new members of the Bright Art team and I would love to see this grow. And for the rest, I try not to put too much pressure on the long term, because who knows really? But I’m excited to find out.
Do you have a favourite piece you’ve created?
When trying to answer this one I found myself looking around the studio. Every time I come back to one of my first ever portraits of the activist Gina Martin. The piece is bold and full of colour, depicting the moment Martin stood outside the Houses of Parliament after having just got the law changed on up-skirting. Now I’m sure this is a much more political answer than you were expecting, but I can’t explain just how empowering it felt to be a small part of the changing perception of women’s rights. The piece is titled ‘Gina’ and was the first time I felt I had developed an original, signature style as a painter.
Is there a creator who inspires you?
Of course! Hundreds. I’ve had a love for [Henri] Matisse for as long as I’ve studied art, along with more modern creators such as Bridget Riley and Sophie Tea who I was lucky enough to work alongside last year for the Brewing exhibition on Carnaby Street, London.
Where’s your favourite place to walk in Hull?
There’s a working airfield in a village just outside the city. The walk up is a little tricky but the view from the top is so worth the short, steep hike. The fence leading to the dirt path is set back from the road making it a bit hard to find which means you are almost guaranteed a quiet walk. There’s horses and chickens in a downward sloping field just off the path which is when you know you are about halfway there. As cliché as it sounds, I love painting up there.
Where’s your favourite place to eat in Hull?
Probably Thieving Harry’s on the Marina or Marla’s on The Avenues – both are independently owned with some of the best breakfast in the city.
Is there an item you couldn’t live without?
I’ve had this one specific paint brush for over 10 years. It’s my absolute favourite and has been well loved and used in almost all of my original work. So much so it’s slowly falling apart, with paint right across its engraving and the wood peeling away from the metal at the base. Now you might say, ‘Holly just buy a new brush’, but as far as I’ve tried, and believe me, I’ve tried, it’s no longer made by Winsor & Newton. Heartbreaking! In all seriousness, although it’s obviously not imperative to my existence, it’s always felt like a little good luck charm to me so the little old battered brush won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
See more of Holly’s artwork at hollybrightart.com and at Living North’s Christmas Fair from 14th–17th November at York Racecourse. Tickets available to buy on the door.
