Interview with artist/gallery manager Holly Tilley
Holly Tilley was born in Ft. Worth Texas but has lived in Arkansas most of her life. She has always loved the outdoors, and this comes through in her vibrant landscapes – and farm animals. After a long career in marketing and advertising, she began pursuing her passion for creating art. Holly lives in Little Rock and manages the Art Group Gallery – a collection of artists who own and operate the gallery together. Holly’s work can be found at the Art Group Gallery website.
AAS: You took up art full-time only after your business career. Talk about that transition.
HT: I initially began by studying pastels as a creative outlet while I was still working in marketing for Alltel Information Services. As time passed, I became increasingly drawn to oil painting and learned that many of the skills I had acquired in pastels transferred to oils as well. After attending numerous painting workshops and spending incalculable hours in front of the easel, I garnered the courage to share my work with others (who were not related to me!) and received a positive response from the start.
Now I have transitioned to a career as a full-time artist and look forward to going to work each day in a profession that continually offers new creative learning experiences. I am excited by the artistic demands of this profession and feel that my marketing skills play an important role in my success as an artist.
AAS: You mentioned to me that old photographs inspire you. What fascinates you about faces from the past?
“As our homes have become even more of a sanctuary, it’s important to include great, original art — art provides tangible comfort.”
HT: Lately, I’ve been drawn to research Depression era photos as painting references in an attempt to capture the poignant struggle of peoples’ lives during this time. Little did I know we might be headed into some hardships of our own with the COVID-19 pandemic! As a result, these paintings are taking on a deeper meaning for me now and I am even more inspired to continue this series.
In general, a great deal of my inspiration comes from my roots and I tend to paint subjects that originate from childhood memories. Growing up in Texas, I spent lots of time at my Aunt Sally's farm - feeding chickens, traipsing through cotton fields, watching the cows, and riding the tractor. These childhood images permeate my work.
I think of myself as a creative problem solver – I’ve never been one to wait for inspiration to emerge but instead find myself actively seeking the next artistic challenge. It’s the “chase” that appeals to me; solving the complex issues that arise while working through the layers of a painting. If I had to assign responsibility for my grit and determination in meeting whatever challenge I face, credit would have to go to my mother who taught me that you can achieve whatever you desire if you set your eyes on the goal and work to get there. I may come across as a strong, assertive personality, but those who know me well see the sentimental, soft-heartedness that’s on the inside and that’s what shows up on my canvas.
“…I tend to paint subjects that originate from childhood memories. Growing up in Texas, I spent lots of time at my Aunt Sally's farm - feeding chickens, traipsing through cotton fields, watching the cows, and riding the tractor. These childhood images permeate my work.”
AAS: Your landscapes and even still lifes are depicted in vibrant colors. Do you see a scene and imagine it in impressionistic colors, or does that come out after you start painting?
Need More, oil on canvas, 24” x 36”
HT: Until recently, I was best known for painting colorful whimsical cow portraits. The popularities of these cows grew at a surprising rate, even to me, and I have loved painting them, along with other subjects using a vibrant, color-filled palette. The vibrant colors enhance the playful nature of these cows, in particular, and I suppose the two went hand in hand in the creation process. I still enjoy painting them, although my focus in painting has shifted in a different direction lately.
Most recently, I have chosen a more muted palette to portray the subjects in a series of paintings inspired by Depression era. In this case, the subject drove the selection of colors on my palette and I am enjoying experimenting with this new direction.
AAS: You have taken groups to Europe to paint. Has teaching always been something you enjoy?
HT: I have been teaching oil painting classes locally for six years and find that it informs my own painting practice. I believe that any teacher’s painting process is refined when called upon to explain or even defend it to others. In addition, the enthusiasm generated by a group of art students painting together is infectious and we can all encourage each other!
Recently, I’ve been able to lead a painting group in Europe and I view that as one of the greatest opportunities this art career has afforded me. Through these international trips, I have developed deep friendships with locals in Arles, France that continue to this day. I am hopeful to lead more groups in the future whenever international travel is permissible again.
“I believe that any teacher’s painting process is refined when called upon to explain or even defend it to others.”
AAS: How did the Art Group Gallery come to be? What is the business model?
Open Air, oil on canvas, 24” x 36”
HT: Six years ago, a core group of artists came together with a high degree of confidence and trust in each other and in the gifts we each could bring to a shared business endeavor. We believed that we could create a unique gallery atmosphere for the art patron and we have spent the last six years in Pleasant Ridge Town Center working toward that goal. We’ve come a long way, but now each milestone achieved is met with another set of goals for the gallery!
The Art Group Gallery is a unique collective of local artists (currently 18) who own and operate the gallery together. A management committee within the collective screens artist applications and offers guidance with regard to the gallery’s creative direction. We pride ourselves not only on the art we offer, but also on the gallery experience we provide to our patrons. We’re a friendly group of people and want our visitors to have a relaxed atmosphere in which to start or add to their original art collections! We’re open seven days a week and at least one gallery artist is present each day to visit with collectors about our works. We offer art in a wide variety of genres, mediums, and subject matter. As we have grown, we have expanded to sponsor workshops for the public led by nationally-recognized artists; offer pop-up weekend demonstrations; and host private parties for local organizations. In addition, our artists are quite active in supporting local charities through silent auctions as well as live painting demonstrations.
Two years ago, we expanded to a second location within the downtown Marriott Hotel. The Marriott Hotel features our work throughout the lobby concourse, Heritage Grille restaurant, M-Club, and ballroom level. This satellite gallery space also offers another venue for special events sponsored by the gallery and the hotel.
The Art Group Gallery’s virtual hello in this time of social distancing.
AAS: Do you to prefer to paint alone in your own studio or do you like to work in studio workspaces with other artists?
HT: I studio at the gallery — I like the interaction with my fellow artists and I particularly enjoy visiting with patrons. I usually get an early start, painting in the morning before the gallery opens at 11a.m. Being in the gallery most days allows me to manage issues as they arise as well.
AAS: Has there been any pushback from some of the members about sharing studio space?
HT: I think the working studio at the back of the gallery would be viewed as a bonus by the gallery artists, although my guess is that a good many of them would say they prefer to be alone when they create. While all partners can make use of the studio space for both creating and teaching art lessons, most have their own studios off site as well. We also view the studio as a benefit to our patrons because they can see local artists “in action” when they visit the gallery.
AAS: Talk about the transition from your corporate background to being a full time artist – and now, gallery manager.
“We believed that we could create a unique gallery atmosphere for the art patron…”
HT: I think each stage of my professional career(s) has provided skills and experiences that have built on each other to prepare me for my next professional endeavor. In marketing, the goal is, obviously, to sell whatever product is being offered, and sales skills definitely come in handy in a successful art gallery as well. Networking and constantly talking about who we are and what we do is my job 24/7. Effective, direct communication is a skill that I practiced in my previous career and it serves me well in art gallery management. I am known for my direct style of communication at the gallery, but hopefully my artist partners also recognize that my directness is matched or even surpassed by my passion to see each of them reach his/her career potential individually and together, as a collective. I strive for excellence in my own art practice and as a gallery manager as well.
It is never lost on me that we are truly partners at the Art Group Gallery. My role as gallery manager is to guide the ship, but that ship is propelled by amazingly talented individuals who have unique gifts to offer the group and we each benefit from this collaboration.
AAS: How does your background in business help you in knowing how to establish relationships for sales?
HT: The key to success in any customer-driven business is meaningful communication and that is certainly true in sales of any kind. I've worked in sales, marketing/advertising my entire adult life. I think this background has kept my art business moving forward. In my current role as gallery manager, I spend as much time selling art as I do creating it. Our customer’s desire to purchase a piece of original art hinges on establishing an emotional connection with it and that is often aided by hearing the “story” behind the piece of art. This aspect of collecting local art is probably the most relevant – communicating meaningfully through your art with another individual. With our friendly, relaxed atmosphere at the gallery and the approachable manner in which our artists interact with our guests, customers quickly become art collectors!
In addition to effective communication, we strive to make sound financial decisions at the Art Group Gallery in order to ensure our fiscal well-being. We have been fortunate to have a group of artists within our collective who have professional backgrounds in accounting and business management and I am thankful for their expertise! It is just one more example of the benefits of combining each individual’s gifts and strengths in order to form a strong art/business alliance.
AAS: The Art Group Gallery shows are extremely well attended (pre-COVID, of course). How are you and the gallery artists able to generate such excitement?
HT: Foremost, we are truly thankful for our loyal patrons who have spread the word about our great, affordable, local art! Next, it’s no secret that we know how to throw a fun party and we enjoy doing it. We spend a lot of time and creative energy generating new show ideas, from the theme to the publicity and then to the food and entertainment. As a collective, we enjoy each other’s company and I think that atmosphere is conducive to producing successful gallery events.
Under current CDC guidelines restricting large gatherings, we are evaluating new ways to stay in touch with collectors while still practicing safe social distancing. We've recently updated our website, artgrouparkansas.com, and can accommodate inquiries and purchases. Above all, we look forward to the time when these restrictions can be lifted and we can gather together again!
AAS: The Gallery has a strong web and Facebook presence. How important is that for survival in these current times?
HT: I think an active social media presence is a key component to any successful art gallery in this era and we have the online-generated sales to prove it! Through social media, we share news about the artists, their accomplishments, and our upcoming events. In other words, we provide the public with an insider’s view as to what is going on in the gallery. As our homes have become even more of a sanctuary, it’s important to include great, original art — art provides tangible comfort.
