By JULIA HOFHEIMER
Leader staff writer
Austin-based artist Karlyn Holloway has earned a spot in a regional exhibit that will allow her work to be seen by visitors from across the region.
This accomplishment comes on the heels of recognition she’s received in Arkansas including from Gov. Mike Beebe.
Holloway’s work is on display through August in the Watercolor-USA exhibit at the Springfield Art Museum in Springfield, Mo.
Her painting, “More Than Meets the Eye,” was one of about 150 watercolor paintings chosen for the exhibit from a pool of more than 650 entries.
She is a 16-year resident of Austin. Although “there aren’t a whole lot of artists around in this little area,” she said that she “had good response” to her work.
She is best known for her paintings of flowers. She said her works are not so much about their particular subject, but rather on the “spiritual journey” that she has undertaken through the artistic process.
Some of her most noted works are of duotone flowers made from blacks and browns and void of color.
Holloway said she began drawing as a child, and didn’t pursue art seriously until she enrolled at Arkansas State University at
Beebe where she earned her associate’s degree in art.
She later continued her formal art education at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.
She is a member of the Arkansas League of Artists, Mid-Southern Watercolorists and the Conway League of Artists.
Although Holloway has been painting professionally for only nine years, she has already garnered considerable success.
Her work was previously shown at the Springfield Art Museum in a regional exhibit and one of her paintings was included in the 2007 annual governor’s calendar. Another painting was recently selected to hang in the Governor’s Mansion from October through December.
Her work will also be shown at the Mid-Southern Watercolorists show this spring.
Though she focuses primarily on watercolor paintings of flowers, she also paints portraits and uses other mediums, such as oil, graphite, charcoal and pastel.
One of her oil paintings, “In His Hands,” was chosen last year as one of the top-10 pieces at Fellowship Bible Church’s annual art show in Little Rock.
More of her oil paintings will be on display at the Fine Arts Center of Hot Springs on Central Avenue through August. The opening night reception will be held at the gallery from 5-9 p.m. on Aug. 7.
Despite Holloway’s great success recently with exhibits, she said she is “also very focused on having paintings bought.” Those interested in her work can email her at k_holloway43@hotmail.com.
