Holly Tourdot
Portraits
"Sarah"--An example of one of Holly's 'people' portraits.
"Hans" --An example of one of Holy's 'pet' portraits.
I have been drawing for as long as I can remember. I began oil painting at the age of 14. My first year of college, I took two art classes, oil painting and watercolor, at The University of Wisconsin Center - Rock County with Mary Alice Wimmer. I did not major in fine art, however, because the
prospect of making a living as an artist did not seem practical to me at the time.
It has proven impractical, but my drive to paint has won out. In 2003, I moved to Madeline Island where I paint landscapes in oil, portraits and still-lives in watercolor, and murals in acrylics. I have received two grants from the La Pointe Center, a handful of mural commissions, and many
portrait commissions. Last year, my professor, Mary Alice, and I were featured in an exhibit at the La Pointe Center Art Guild and Gallery.
Landscapes: I am very moved by nature and its astounding beauty. In my landscapes, I try to capture the feeling I get among the majestic trees or near the powerful and life-giving lake. I am driven all the more by my concern for the environment and our need to protect our resources. I feel
that I never quite capture that feeling. My landscapes are, nonetheless very beautiful. I continue to paint scenes from Madeline Island on canvas and paper.
Watercolor Still-Lives of Windows: I paint windows from the inside with objects, plants, and other objects on the sill. The idea behind these works is the concept that the eyes are the windows of the soul. The paintings perspective is from the inside and shows what is outside with varying focus. Through a visual metaphor representing different people, I try to demonstrate how we are influenced by our internal life and, as a result, see the world outside of us more or less clearly and accurately depending on how much we focus on our own experiences.
Portraits: I began painting portraits as a personal project because of my love for my three children. I offered my services to others and have built a solid reputation as a portrait artist. I paint both people and animals.
Murals: I have begun painting murals professionally. I began by painting on my own walls and have done several murals now for others. My latest mural is a panoramic view of La Pointe and Madeline Island at the Madeline Island Information Station in Bayfield.
Paintings
"Big Bay Lagoon"--An oil on canvas
"Water Birch"--An oil on canvas
"Little Man" --A watercolor on paper.
"Lupines Fields 0f Riez"--A watercolor on paper.