Art to captivate your senses

About Holly

Holly Mahoney, originally from Geelong, grew up immersed in the rugged beauty of the South Coast. Now based on Sydney's Northern Beaches, Holly finds boundless inspiration in her surroundings. The ocean, with its vastness and ever-changing hues, features prominently in her work. Known for her evocative landscape and figurative artworks on canvas and paper, Holly captures the fluidity of movement and light through gestural marks that leave a lasting emotional impact.

Holly holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts with a double major in Painting & Drawing from the University of Ballarat and was recognized as a Finalist Gallipoli Art Prize 2021.

The joy of mark-making is central to Holly's creative process. Her confident use of layers and textures draws viewers into her works, encouraging them to revisit and discover new details with every gaze.

Landscapes

Holly’s landscapes transport viewers into a world shaped by the dynamic movement of the ocean, expansive skies, and the essence of Australian life. Her artworks are bathed in dramatic light and vibrant colors, evoking a deep sense of connection to nature. Layered, gestural brushstrokes invite viewers on a journey, revealing hidden depths and nuances with each look.

Figures

Drawing lies at the heart of Holly’s practice. Both her landscape and figurative works begin with inspiration sketched directly onto paper or canvas using charcoal or paint. By blending abstraction with moments of realism, Holly creates artworks that feel alive, capturing the fluid interplay between form and emotion. Her signature style combines expressive drawn lines in her paintings with layered washes in works on paper. This depth of technique gives her art a distinctive quality that resonates personally with viewers.

Holly is also the founder of the Underground Sketch Club, a welcoming space where creative individuals come together to sketch the human form in a relaxed and supportive environment.