About the Artist: Holly Irwin
As a child, Holly Irwin dreamed of becoming an artist. With encouragement from her mother, she began formal art classes at age 11, studying under Pittsburgh's legendary art teacher, Joseph Fitzpatrick, whose list of famous students include Andy Warhol. Four years later, at age 15 years, Holly was awarded a scholarship to Carnegie-Mellon University’s fine arts program for high school students.
“My mother was an artist, a fashion illustrator and a seamstress; she made all of our clothes, even coats and hats,” said Holly. “So I guess it’s not a surprise that fashion and design inspire me most. I create my own fashions on canvas using the language of color, line and composition. I love taking one of my drawings and elevating it to a large scale, fine art painting. Sketchbooks of figure drawings and dresses are everywhere in my home and studio. I try to sketch every day.”