Following your star…

London, 1999

My Artistic Journey—Holly Mahoney Artist

Welcome to my little corner of the internet! I’m so glad you’re here. Whether you’ve stumbled across this blog or found it through one of my artworks, I’m excited to share a bit of my story with you. If something in my work resonated with you, then you’re already a part of this journey. If you’ve ever wondered what inspires an artist to pick up a paintbrush and start creating, I’ve got a story to share with you.

My love for art began early, and surprisingly (for those who know me now), I was that quiet, shy kid who could often be found drawing, endlessly striving for perfection. I have memories of asking the librarian for extra A4 sheets of paper—because when you’re obsessed with drawing, perfectionism, and every little detail, you can never have enough paper!

At 12, I won a colouring competition, and I was thrilled—not just because of the prize, a box of 72 Derwent Artist pencils (which felt like a treasure chest at the time), but because of how I approached the task. While the other kids filled their jungle scenes with bright greens, I decided to use shades of grey for the jungle itself, adding pops of colour only to the animals. Looking back, it seems I’ve always had a tendency to see the world a little differently—and it must have stood out!

By the time I reached high school, my passion for art had taken on a life of its own. I threw myself into painting, studying pure arts and graphic design, all while balancing the required Maths and English courses. Encouraged by my art teacher, I attended life drawing sessions at the local university. My final-year portfolio earned me a first-year scholarship for art materials, which was a huge, validating moment—especially since it meant I turned down a law degree placement!

Fast forward to the end of my Fine Arts degree, and it’s no surprise that the travel bug bit me—hard! After spending years studying art history and dreaming of seeing the masterpieces in person, I couldn’t wait to explore the world’s cities and museums. So, I saved up working at a local news agency, packed my bags, and hopped on a one-way flight, travelling via an American summer camp before heading to Europe. Based in London, I immersed myself in local culture, visited both Western and Eastern Europe, and grabbed any chance I could to travel—like that cheeky £1 flight to Turin, Italy, or a spontaneous trip to Bilbao, Spain.

Though I didn’t yet call myself an “artist,” I felt something stirring inside me. I couldn’t resist sketching, dabbling in watercolours, and capturing everything through photography. I wasn’t just travelling; I was following my star.

One pivotal moment came while I was working at the wine bar at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. During a break, I wandered along the Thames and painted a watercolour of Tower Bridge. To my surprise, an admirer approached me. Though we couldn’t communicate in the same language, we struck up a unique exchange: I gave him my painting, and he handed me a hand-made ceramic turtle chopstick holder in return.

In that moment, I thought, “Maybe I could do this art thing after all.”

Looking back, I’m sure Fine Art degrees today come with clearer guidance on how to launch a career in art. But back then—before social media, personal websites, and instant access to a global audience—it all felt a bit out of reach. Though that moment by the Thames River felt like a sign, it wasn’t an instant transformation. It took years before I truly embraced my identity as an artist and started introducing myself as one. That simple exchange, however, was the spark that set me on this path, even if it took me time to find my stride.

And here I am, sharing my artwork with the world—and I couldn’t be more excited to continue this journey with you. There’s so much more to my story—more experiences, more lessons learned, and of course, more artwork to come. I can’t wait to share the inspiration behind each piece, the creative process that brings them to life, and the things I’ve discovered along the way.

Thanks for being part of this adventure with me. Stay tuned for more!

— Holly 💙

#hollymahoney.artist #sydneyartist