Art Heroes

It's easy to have a lot of heroes in the world of art. Not just the masters from the Renaissance but those that are here today. I have already talked several times about Chris Ayers. (oh great creative master) And I could fill quite a few blogs about my colleagues. But today we talk about Holly Hobbie.

When you read 'Holly Hobbie' did this image pop into your mind? If you are my generation or older I bet it did. As a little girl I LOVED Holly Hobbie....not the person but the character. What do I mean? It's a great story.

Holly was a high minded art student living with her husband in a happy (sort of) poverty. A friend suggested she send some of her little girl sketches to a greeting card company. It wasn't really the mark on the art world she was looking for but it was desperate times. The card company loved her work and bought a few designs. One day she is in a drug store and sees a display with HOLLY HOBBIE card collection. She was excited, surprised and suddenly realized her name would never be her own again.

Fast forward 25 years. I find this incredible children's book called Toot and Puddle featuring the two adorable pigs you see above. The author/illustrator? Holly Hobbie. I shake my head and think what mother who loved Holly Hobbie as a child grows up to name their child Holly Hobbie? It wasn't until a few years later I realized Holly wasn't a character but a brilliant artist. Holly has gone on to have Toot and Puddle become a cartoon. She also has other equally as charming characters. A few greeting cards just to get by became a wonderful career.

I highly recommend Holly's illustrated biography called "The Art of Holly Hobbie". It is out of print but can be found on Amazon.com. She comes across as quite humble, grateful and seems to be enjoying things as they come along instead of always looking out to the next thing.

Like I said, my hero!