The Art of Holly Raider

 

Holly Raider.

 

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I was born very frail and sickly in a country hospital in Africa in 1982.The only doctor in the town told my mother I would most likely not survive and so I was given up to orphanage. While growing up in the hard environment I drew plants and the people around me; each precious being abandoned.

Some were deformed, some came from difficult circumstances, and some were given up simply because their parents were too lazy and selfish to look after a squealing cabbage.

When I was 7 I trained to be a gymnast because I wanted to be a famous performer or ballet dancer. But my evil trainer Boris beat me often and after 2 years I gave up the dream and went back to the orphanage.

Confined to the concrete of the orphanage I started to draw the plants and scenes from my imagination. I drew on the walls at first because there was no paper. I was surprised to learn my drawings could be an escape for the other unwanted children, who I named the Forgotten Ones, and they shared their ideas and dreams and too often nightmares with me.

One day my dream came true and I was adopted by very wealthy parents named Jack and Sylvia. Sadly they passed on, leaving me their fortune and the luxury of traveling the world.

I have since grown up and become mildly independent, but something of my time in that strange asylum for unwanted beings will haunt me forever and so I must express it, like coffee.

I will always be inspired by the ordinary person because I remember who I am and where I come from.
My medium is my imagination and whatever I can find - oil, acrylic, watercolor, ink, chalk, ballpoint pen - the type used to sign for prescription medicine. I work best after midnight and before sunrise.Some people call me a vampire but I have been called many worse things.

If any part of my work appeals to you then do let me know. It is comforting to hear from other Artists or even regular people who know what I am meaning.

I am not a typical Virgo. I am not a typical woman. I break the rules and make no excuses; I have no regrets.


2001