Holly Farrell was born in North Bay, Ontario in 1961. She has been painting and etching full-time since 1995 and exhibits her work in galleries in Canada and the United States. Self-taught, she began painting as a hobby to alleviate the stress of her daytime job working with children with special needs. Initially she copied drawings and designs onto wood, cans or bowls, teaching herself the qualities of paint, mixing, and brushwork. Within a year, Holly began to draw on her own, choosing subjects from her day to day life: the bowls, chairs, and tables that were necessary tools for living. Not knowing any other way to paint, Holly would transfer her drawings onto board and use the same technique for painting that she applied to wood and metal. This involved many layers of paint, acrylics and oils bound together by even more layers of varnish. Holly continues to use the same technique today, applying it to subjects that she hopes will inspire others to reflect in the same way that they inspire her to paint. Holly Farrell lives and works in Ontario, Canada.

Exhibitions

2001
Studio Show, Toronto, Ontario
Selected Group Exhibitions
2000 Arcadia Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery, Etobicoke, Ontario (Juried show)
Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario (Juried show)
Studio Show, Toronto, Ontario
1999
Velvet & Vinyl Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario (Juried show)
1998
Ossington Avenue Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
1997
Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario (Juried show)
1996
Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario (Juried show)
Hummingbird Centre for the Performing Arts
(Juried show)
1995
Alexander Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario (Juried show)
1994
Alexander Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario (Juried show)
Bedard Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
1992
Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario
(Juried show)

Awards

1996
Best of Show Award, Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition
1998
Honourable Mention, Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery