Holly Hope Banks was born in Columbus, Ohio. She began her art education at the University of Toledo, receiving her Bachelor's of Art degree in 1981. She was a registered copyist at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. for 5 years. Holly continued her classical training at the Atelier of Plein-air Studies for 4 years and then furthered her studies by extensive travels to Europe.

Her work has been featured in numerous national open juried exhibitions: the last eleven years alone have included appearances in the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club at the National Arts Club in New York and with the Audubon Artists at the Salmagundi Club in New York. She has won major awards with both art organizations and is a full member of both. Her most recent award was the Medal of Honor in the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club in New York City in 2009. Her work has also been included in exhibitions in 2010, 2011, 2001 and 2000 at the Butler Institute of American Art.

In 1996, Holly was one of six American artists chosen for cultural exchange with the Union of Russian Artists. They were the first group of American artists to be officially invited to Russia. Her work was featured in an American / Russian show in Kolomna and Moscow, Russia. In 1998, she was named as one of ten prominent emerging artists in an article of American Artist magazine, and wrote an article, 'An Artistic Imagination', which was published in the same magazine in the October 2001 issue. Her portrait of 'Ms. Ramona Tumblin' was selected for the 'Best of Portrait painting', North Light Books, 1998. She is listed in numerous reference books including Who's Who in American Art, Who's Who of American Women and Who's Who in the World.

Holly is a realist painter who specializes in portraits, figurative outdoor work, and still life. She is represented by Rehs Galleries in New York City as well as several portrait galleries in the South and has her work in important, private collections across the country. She resides and maintains her studio in Clearwater, Florida.
 

Publications

Who's Who In the World
Who's Who of American Women
Who's Who in America
Who's Who in American Art
Who's Who in the South and Southwest
Published work in The Best of Portrait Painting, North Light Books, F & W Publications, 1998
American Artist Magazine, October 2001, 'An Artistic Imagination'
American Artist Magazine, October 1998, Emerging Artist
Cover artist for Masterpieces, January 1997

Awards

2011 Museum Purchase Award, 75th Midyear Exhibition, The Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio
Medal of Honor, Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, National Arts Club, New York, 2009
Tara Fredrix Canvas Award, Audubon Artists 62nd Annual Exhibition, Salmagundi Club, New York, 2004
Colonel George J. Morales Memorial Award (for best still life), Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, National Arts Club New York, 2004
Daler-Rowney Award, Audubon Artists 57th Annual Exhibition, Salmagundi Club, New York, 1999
One of ten emerging artists, American Artist '98 Emerging Artist Competition, 1998
Renee & Stephen McNeely Award, Best Representational Oil, Audubon Artists 56th Annual, 1998
One of five American artists chosen for cultural exchange; first group of American artists to be officially invited to Russia, September 1996
J. Paul Dorfmuller Pastel Award, 1992

Representation

Rehs Galleries, Inc.
Richard Gandy Gallery of Realist Art, website gallery
Portraits, Inc.
Portraits South

The portrait is planned by discussing with the client the size and setting for the portrait. Some of the considerations include: impressions and personality of the subject, the ambiance of the home or office, dimensions of the area where the portrait will hang, and framing. Then a photography session planned.

The artist will paint drawings from photographs which have been approved by he artist. The delivery date is 2-3 months from the approval of the photographs. The artist can deliver a drawing within one-two weeks for an additional 20% added to the above prices.
 

All travel, lodging, framing taxes, when applicable, and shipping expenses are in addition to the above listed prices. Detailed interior and exterior backgrounds are an additional expense and quoted upon request. Sizes listed are approximate. Additional figures are less 25% regular figure price. For oils, the addition of a household pet starts at $1,500 and horses $2,500.