Maria Holohan

07745033650

Sector: Visual Art

Key Skills

Exhibition, Art, painting, drawing, commissions

Key Clients

Schools (Primary & Secondary), Colleges, Universities, Galleries, Youth groups, adult groups, charities, museums, play schemes, people with disabilities, private commissions etc

I am a Textile Artist who is passionate about the drawing process. I draw with cloth & stitch to produce quirky & original art work. I practice drawing, painting, traditional printmaking, collage & digital printing.

Since graduating from Swansea Metropolitan University with a (BA) Hons Surface Pattern Design (Contemporary Applied Arts) I have aimed to continually develop myself both on a personal and professional basis. This was formally recognised when I was awarded a Distinction Licentiateship from the Society of Designer Craftsman in 2007, selected for Talente 2008 skilled Trades Fair, Munich & recently invited to exhibit at Chianciano Biennale, Siena, Italy in Sept’ 2009.

By attending various seminars on trends, art education and training programmes I have developed best practice in both personal art projects and delivery of art workshops for practical teaching.

I thrive on delivering workshops to groups of people, assisting in a creative exploration using a variety of themes through the use of mixed media. Projects have included a combination of drawing, illustration, collage, embroidery & painting focusing on developing a concept successfully & creating work that is original & inspiring. Workshops can be adapted to suit any theme or time scale, so the individual requirements & needs of an organisation can be met easily.

My practical teaching ability has been recognised by clients including the following received from the Director of Craft Angels:

“Maria is a conscientious and thoughtful teacher and the feedback from participants in her workshops was excellent, citing her friendliness and ability to communicate well” Jenny Rolfe, Director, Model House, Wales

Recent work has been the planning & delivery of taster sessions for the new Creative & Media diploma teaching 13/14 year olds across Wiltshire & Swindon.

WORKSHOP EXAMPLE (1)

ALICE IN WONDERLAND – Mixed Media Drawing – 2008

Swindon Academy, Swindon (16-18 years)

The aim of the workshop was to produce a series of developmental mixed media drawings to illustrate a chapter from Alice in Wonderland. The workshop encouraged the students to experiment with an eclectic mix of materials provided & re-invent/re-construct drawings in order to develop a concept successfully. Drawing with the sewing machine was demonstrated & introduced as an extension to drawing which encouraged the students to work outside their comfort zone. An extremely successful workshop that can be adapted to suit any theme/time scale or medium

WORKSHOP EXAMPLE (2)

WHAT MUSIC MEANS TO ME – Mixed Media Drawing – 2008

Young Designer Group, Llantrisant, Wales (12-17 years)

A workshop where students learnt how to respond & record what music means to them while learning the techniques of collage. The aim of the workshop is to produce a small mixed media wall panel, inspired by music. All equipment is provided, as well as an exciting array of materials such as, fabrics, ink, paint, pastels, tape, wall paper, news paper/magazine cut outs, photocopies of album covers/lyrics, bright patterned/bold fabrics, music sheets & poetry.

The textile art wall panel can be given as a gift or be kept as a memento to cherish those special memories forever!

Skills learnt – re-creating an image, drawing with mixed media, Composition, Layering & developing a concept. Although I do provide everything for the workshop, I do ask that the students bring a few bits & bobs of their own to make it more special for them. I.e. photocopies of the following: Album covers/lyrics, Photographs of musicians/ live gigs/friends/family, Music tickets.