In this episode of ArtBeat, Katie engages with Holly Stapleton, an illustrator and painter rooted in Toronto. Holly's narrative unfolds from the innocent artistry of an IKEA playplace to the vibrant streets of Montreal, where she discovered a community that fostered her evolution. Her work, suffused with gouache textures and the ethereal glow of golden-hour light, captures moments of selfhood, the complexities of relationships, and the bittersweet pangs of nostalgia. In editorial and commercial realms, she wields her brush with self-taught freedom, translating her instincts into a visual language that speaks to the human condition.

Holly's life oscillates between the relentless tempo of New York and the reflective cadence of Toronto, each city imparting its influence on her art. She explores the trials of rendering mental images onto canvas, the balance between editorial constraints and personal voice. Her portfolio, a testament to her talent, features collaborations with The New Yorker, Airbnb, Warby Parker, Google, ELLE, Architectural Digest, Netflix, The New York Times, Rolex, and more. As she looks forward, Holly envisions a return to personal projects, a deeper exploration of oil painting, and a closer connection with the Toronto art scene. 

Holly’s work can be found at Abbozzo Gallery in Toronto, on her website, and Instagram.

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