Featured Artist Holly Cannon

Pastel artist Holly Cannon captures the essence of her wildlife subjects in detailed, realistic portraits. Visit her website to see more of her portfolio.

 

 

I have always loved to draw and paint.  Art class was my favorite class and all of my notebooks were covered in drawings. I earned a communications degree with a minor in art from Florida International University as an avenue to use my passion and not be a “starving artist”.

 

 

I’m fortunate to have a wonderful husband and five adult kids and a dog. We also owned and ran a horse breeding farm along the way, so I didn’t have much time for my art, but my heart always longed to paint again.

 

 

Several years ago, after a long hiatus, I once more found my paintbrush while recuperating from hip surgery. I instantly found my happy place again. I attended a workshop with my friend and mentor, Lesley Harrison, and was introduced to the medium of pastels and absolutely love them!

 

 

I was amazed at the depth and realism I could achieve with pastels and found a great local teacher who helps me get unstuck from all of my paintings when needed.

 

 

I am a wildlife photographer as well and try to achieve a photorealistic look in each of my paintings. My highest compliments are when people tell me they can’t tell the difference between my art and a photograph.

 

 

I usually begin with the eyes in most of my paintings. They guide and watch over me while I’m creating my works. I truly believe eyes are the windows to animals’ souls. With each painting, I am trying to capture the soul of the animal on paper.

 

 

My love for animals and nature comes from my deep faith. I believe God has given us a beautiful planet, full of amazing creatures for us to enjoy and care for. I love sharing my paintings of them with the world.

 

 

My passion is and has always been painting, but my true love is my faith and family—my husband and our five kids, their spouses and my grandson. In them I find my greatest joy.

 

Artist Holly Cannon invites you to follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Etsy.

 

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