Arianna Holligan, 19, has always loved drawing and art but was unsure how to turn her talent into a successful career.

After studying languages at Barbados Community College for two years, Arianna decided to enrol on an intensive one-year art programme, and soon found her unique, artistic voice.

Now, Arianna is working on establishing herself in Barbados as a full-time artist and has already secured commissions from international collectors. 

She spoke to Yello about her developing career and her hopes for the future.

Describe yourself using three words.

Optimistic. Creative. Intellectual.

Please tell us a bit about your childhood. 

I grew up in Walkers, St George. My father is an entrepreneur, so I think I got that gene from him, and all my siblings are entrepreneurs as well. 

I went to the Seventh-day Adventist primary and secondary schools. 

Growing up I enjoyed drawing. I was always drawing or writing. I also loved playing with dolls, hanging out with my friends, and going to the beach.

What were your favourite subjects at school?

In primary school I liked doing arts and crafts and in secondary I liked literature, Spanish, and art. But I never really loved school because I don’t really enjoy following a schedule and being told what to do and when to do it. I prefer spontaneity.

I was never rebellious or disobedient but in school I felt like I couldn’t really express myself because it was so strict.

What were your initial career plans?

I always wanted to be an artist, but when I was in secondary school and I had to choose my subjects, I was told that being an artist would not be the best path, so I took an interest in languages, and decided that I would just do art on the side. 

I studied Spanish for a long time including two years of Spanish and Italian for Business and Tourism at BCC (Barbados Community College). I was going to develop a career in that field, but ultimately, I decided to follow my heart, and last year I did an intense one year online art programme which changed my life. 

What did the art programme involve?

It’s called the Mastery programme (Milan Art Institute). You learn classical oil painting and drawing, and it takes you from being an absolute beginner to having a full-time career as an artist. 

They also teach you how to develop your voice, brand, and style of painting along with things like building a website and how to get into galleries.

So, all last year I was painting and learning new skills, finding my style, working out what I want to say with my art, and developing a portfolio. 

The course really changed my perspective on art. I still have a lot of work to do but now I believe I can have a successful career as an artist.

How would you describe your artistic style?

Abstract realism. I always have a subject, either a woman or an animal, sometimes both together and then I put them in an abstract, dreamy world which isn’t really centred in reality. 

I think this is how I can best express what I want to say with my art. I experimented all last year and this really represents what I want to say.

What mediums do you work with?

I use a few different mediums. I always start off with inks, acrylic, then I use collages and oil, and sometimes spray paint. Sometimes I also use pastel. I always finish it off in oil.

Tell us about your creative process.

Usually, I get an idea from looking at a colour or something I’ve read, then a phrase just comes to me, and I develop an idea from that. Then I will just sit and try to figure out how best I want to go about creating it.

I think about the process more when the piece is finished, and then I wonder, ‘what does this mean to me?’. So, it just develops naturally.

I paint for around four hours a day and try to finish my pieces within a week, but they usually take about a week and a half or two weeks.

What has been your proudest career achievement to date?

I am proud of all my work so far because I’m amazed at how much I have grown in one year. At the beginning I knew what I wanted to paint but I didn’t know how, so learning this quickly and making all this art makes me proud.

Three of my pieces I really like are ‘The Messenger’, ‘Disappear’ and a commission for a collector which contained a lot of things that resonated and had a lot of meaning for her.

Which local / international artists inspire you?

Locally, I love Jeena Chatrani’s art and I’m close to her as well. I’m inspired by art that is a similar style to mine, so I like Dimitra Milan, who was one of the mentors on my art programme, Karl Bang who also paints women and animals, and Rosso Emerald Crimson. 

The art I like to look at is actually kind of simple and more of the opposite of what I like to do.

What are your plans over the next 12-18 months?

I would like to have my first solo show later this year, that’s one of my major goals right now. I’d also like to create more art. I have a set number of pieces that I want to sell. 

I plan to promote more of my art via social media and locally as well because I have international collectors, but I would like more Barbadian buyers. 

What are your thoughts about the local art scene?

I think it has become a lot more active in recent years and there are lots more opportunities for artists to show their work and promote it. A certain style of art seems to sell better here, like paintings of beaches, animals, and botanicals, so it would be good if there was more interest in different styles of art. (https://www.cookwarejunkies.com)  

We are in a good place, but I think there is a good way to go.

What do you love about Barbados?

I love exploring new places, like undiscovered bays and trails, that a lot of people don’t go to, or know about. I like to hike with a group and drive around and see what the island has to offer that might not be well known.

What do you do to relax?

The stage I am at right now is just go, go, go so I don’t really turn off my mind or take breaks. Now is not the time to relax.

What is your motto in life?

I have a lot. I really like “this too shall pass” and something I always say to myself is “it’s only too difficult if you make it too difficult”. 

What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

Now, is the best time to be an artist because you can use social media to self-promote. You can do it on your own, you don’t have to rely on a gallery, and there are so many opportunities. So, the excuse that an artist cannot be successful and must starve is not really valid anymore. 

If you want something, to be an artist or entrepreneur or have something else that is calling you, you should just do it. 

We are all called to live with meaning, purpose, and authenticity so don’t listen to people who tell you that you can’t do something. Do it and prove them wrong.

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See more of Arianna’s artwork on her website and Instagram page.

All of the images in this article were supplied by Arianna Holligan and are owned by her. Reproduction is strictly prohibited.