Biography
Holly Eberhardt
Art has always been the love of my life. In Kindergarten I was captivated by shapes and how they relate to each other. In second grade I began drawing cartoon characters and loved the element of lines so much that I haven't stopped drawing since then. Art has been one of the most consistent elements of my life. My Elementary School Teacher who had no classroom of her own, would enter the classroom with a bright orange cart filled with a variety of Art supplies. I thought her magical Art cart refilled itself. I wanted to be a Magician just like her and bring the magic of Art to all the students. Throughout my school years I continued to focus on Drawing and Painting and knew I had to go to an Art College to follow my heart's passion. I went to a specialized Art school my senior year of High School and then applied to SUNY Purchase College for my Undergraduate Bachelor's of Fine Art degree.
At Purchase College I met some colorful characters and was thrilled to be in a creative environment with other students who thrived on creating. I had many wonderful Professors there who left deep impressions on me. I always think of them when I’m creating Art. I loved Purchase College so much that I stayed there during my Summer vacation to work for the College simply to have full access to the Art studios. For my Senior Art Project I focused on the internal structures of fruits and vegetables. I entered the internal space of these objects with my eyes and my mind using a meditative process. This is the point at which Art making became more than just enjoyment for me it was also meditative and soothing.
I completed Purchase College in 1999 and was accepted at Queens College/CUNY where I completed my Masters of Fine Art. After graduating from Queens College I received a Grant from the Joan Mitchell Foundation this gave me the resources to continue creating Art. At this point I’ve figured out that I wanted to become an Art Teacher I knew I would have to get my New York State, Teaching Certification. I applied to “Studio in a School” (a Visual Arts Program that partners with New York State, Public Schools) they offered a Special Program to assist Artists in obtaining the New York State, Teaching Certification. 2003 I successfully completed the “Studio in a School program,” obtained my New York State Teaching Certification and a position as and Art Teacher in a Brooklyn Public Elementary School where I have taught for 16 years. My students inspire me and I strive to inspire them everyday.
My current work has a surreal quality as it references everyday objects with a stream of consciousness.To me Art is a discipline, a study of being aware and observing reality with the ability to filter certain aspects of the truth or embrace them. I make Art because it brings me pure joy, it helps me meditate while offering an escape to a place where I want to be. Every time I sit down to make Art my soul feels like I am still that second grader who gets to have fun and experiment with drawing different kinds of lines to discover what will happen!
I have also fulfilled one of my dreams, I’m now the Magician, the Elementary School teacher who brings the Magic of Art to my students everyday. By the way I do have a classroom of my own and I also have a cart filled with Art supplies.
LOL
The Dancing Hamburger, WSG-HE 01 041719The Dancing Hamburger, A Holly Eberhardt Original, 11 x 17 framed $500.00.