I am primarily a figurative artist. I use mixed media to explore and respond to an emotion I am feeling: how can I capture an emotion, the figure, and the surrounding space. Figures become the outlet to push my art practice as far as possible. Most of my paintings are loose and experimental, inspired by open studio life drawing classes on water colour paper, Mylar, or Terraskin. Some are completed on canvas or paper, often collaging gesture drawings from life drawing sketches.

It is important that I not force a painting into completion, but rather stay open to the process and let the figures direct me. I am fascinated by where this leads; for example, I have noticed that most of the faces in my figures gaze into the distance.  I feel this “not knowing” and discovery is important and in the Luminous Bodies residency I hope to further explore the human form using a variety of media and surfaces, letting the process guide me and staying open to potential discoveries. Ultimately, this residency will provide an opportunity to create art without distractions.

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Holly Edwards is an emerging and primarily self-taught artist living in Wakefield, Ontario. Edwards takes art classes regularly, practices art daily and feels “fortunate to learn under the guidance of many knowledgeable and supportive artists.”  Edwards studied Philosophy at McMaster University.