Angela Holt

I've been painting for about eleven years, starting in Watercolour, with some Pastel, Oil, Chroma and occasionally Coloured Pencils. During this time I have exhibited and sold quite a lot of work, and have done commissions on a regular basis. I was made a Companion of the International Guild of Artists in watercolour, at Ilkley, and received a prize for floral work, but then left because of the pressure of producing 6 paintings every three months, plus an extra exhibition at Manchester G-Mex, in the summer.

I still exhibit throughout each year, and have a joint exhibition in Frodsham, in June, and the title, "Mixed Emotions" just about sums me up. I need to experiment and try new things , or else I feel as if I might be missing something 'new and different.' This was how I developed my 'squashy oils', quite by accident, and they really took off, I've sold over a 100 so far. I go through periods of 'giving up', yet I'm fairly successful overall, so I should be happy. My desire to try new things has probably been at the expense of 'getting somewhere,' as a friend once told me to remember, "Jack of all trades, Master of none… " Perhaps he was right, but it's never too late!

The answer was always there. The inner desire to do more coloured pencil work has never left me., but there was no real back-up, no Society! I needed to believe it was worth the commitment. I need encouragement. Now, I really feel I want to 'give it my all', yet I've done about a dozen in my time, and I didn't know enough about it earlier on. I didn't take a photo of one of my best, which I sold for just £95, along with a landscape,because I knew the curator didn't rate coloured pencils a lot. It was a full-size tabby,called "Please Let me in." It went at the preview. The truth is, I haven't much to show, because my detailed animals and birds are in Chroma and Pastel and I'm still honoring commitments, but I'm raring to go.

What got me going again? "The Colored Pencil Solution Book," by Janie Gildow and Barbara Newton, both of whom have been in contact and also very supportive, as well as Vera Curnow, and I have joined the CPSA. Following this I got to know Bob, and I heard about his dream to start the UKColoured Pencil Society, that was it, and I am hooked. Now Ann Kullberg also inspires me.There's no going back. Also there is still room for experimentation to keep me happy!!

Contact details:

Angela M Holt
42, Heycott Grove
Kings Norton
Birmingham
B38 0BQ TN
Tel 0121 458 3847
Website: www.amholt.co.uk