Holly Jolley is a Chilean-British designer and illustrator.
Holly Jolley is a Chilean-British designer and illustrator based in London. Her work ranges from editorial illustration to prints, pattern design, brand collaborations, and art direction. Her pieces, created mainly using gouache, explore personal themes, often fuelled by vivid dreams and domestic life. The style of her creations is greatly influenced by literature, fashion, and a slow, gentle way of living. Her clients include Penguin Books, Frankie Magazine, Casetify, and Anthropologie.
When did you start illustrating?
It was my favourite thing as a child, one of my earliest memories in life is painting the ocean yellow on a drawing. I guess it took a professional turn in 2016 when I started getting real jobs.
Who has been the most supportive in your illustration career, perhaps your teacher, family, friends?
I can't think of anyone unsupportive really, I was lucky enough to grow in a very artistic environment. Art in my family was never seen as something silly or unnecessary, even as a child people around me would take me seriously, I am really grateful for that, for sure it helped me build confidence in my work.
Did you always think art was something that was going to be a major part of your life?
I never even questioned this too much, it just happened in such a natural way, it became a big habit to do paint or draw everyday until I suddenly was doing it as a way of living.
What is your favourite subject matter to illustrate?
Probably gardens I visit to go on picnics or interpretations of my domestic life. Especially since the pandemic my inspiration has shifted strongly into the wonders of daily life and inner worlds.
How would you describe your style?
Soft, comforting, quirky
What is your favourite collaboration to date?
Ordinary Habit for sure, I love it when people care so deeply about beauty, in all levels and not only in their products, the amount of care and thought that goes into what they do really inspires me.
What interested you about being represented by Illo Agency?
I would love to have better management of my time and energy to do what matters to me creative wise, so much of an illustrator's time goes into admin or managing clients, the idea of having such a professional team by my side, so I can focus on the actual art really attracted me.
Do you have a favourite author, film director, or designer?
At the moment Kazuo Ishiguro and Jean Cocteau.
Are you working on any personal projects you can share with us?
I am! Really happy to be working on some bigger scale textiles at the moment. Exciting and a bit scary because I've never done it before.
Do you listen to podcasts?
If so, do you have a favourite? I listen to A LOT of podcasts. My favourites are 99% Invisible, Ologies, The anthropocene reviewed, Articles of Interest and The Daily when I feel like I should know US news stuff for some reason.
If you have any questions or a specific project in mind, please do get in touch: [email protected]
At illo agency, we pride ourselves in representing a collation of global illustrators, distinctly diverse in creativity and uniquely celebrated by like-minded clients across a range of commercial markets.