Beautiful Souls Healing With Art: Holly Irwin

The title of this post is purposefully ambiguous. Are WE the Beautiful Souls Healing With Art, on the receiving end of healing from another’s art? Is the ARTIST the beautiful soul, healing others with her art? Yes and Yes. Herein lies the beauty of fine art: unity of creator and beholder, both caught in a lavishly mysterious web of healing. Amen?

By healing I mean divine processes at work at a subtle energy level moving us closer to wholeness. Our masterfully created human bodies naturally want to heal themselves and return to health, and surely our souls long for it too.

In fact, the work of the soul seems to most often carry on quietly beneath awareness. Lovely soul anesthesia, I suppose. Who has yet to experience the dark night of the soul? The trauma of being locked out of paradise? Who can say when and how art heals? Maybe it’s like a garden.

A supernatural seed is planted in the ground of the soul of an artist. When she aligns her heart with purity, with a higher call, the seed flourishes. She opens hands and heart to receive. Blessing rains down. And as she brings full expression to beauty swelling like sunlight within her, beauty grows. The beholder’s soul finds rest and nourishment within the artist’s garden, feasting on its fruits. Fruits?

Unity. Enlightenment. Harmony. Sweetness. Understanding. Intimacy. Compassion. Tenderness. Redemption. Restoration. Hearfulness. Healing.

The harvest is healing, friends. What Eden we enjoy thanks to the artists tending our spirits. Thanks to radiant lights in our midst such as Holly Irwin, a Georgia-based painter of figures, fashion, and flora…a beautiful soul with uncommon healing in her hands.

Beautiful Souls Healing With Art: Holly Irwin

"Lee" 6" X 6" Mixed Media by Holly Irwin. Beautiful Souls Healing With Art: Holly Irwin.
“Lee” 6″ X 6″ Mixed Media by Holly Irwin via.

Let’s taste the fruits of her glorious paintings in today’s delight of an art tour, but not before we meet this beautiful soul, up close and personal. Holly Irwin inspires me as an embodiment of who I long to be.

Irwin’s paintings are heartful creations, honored by collectors, galleries, and design publications.
(all images – Holly Irwin)

Beautiful nude watercolor with pastels by Holly Irwin.
Rue Cambon by Holly Irwin | #dkGallery | Marietta, GA | SOLD. Beautiful Souls Healing With Art: Holly Irwin.
Rue Cambon by Holly Irwin.

A Few Favorite Paintings

Holly Irwin Fine Art
Hope by Holly Irwin | dk Gallery | Marietta, GA | SOLD
Hope by Holly Irwin via.
Holly Irwin Fine Art
Holly Irwin Fine Art
Still by Holly Irwin | #dkGallery | Marietta, GA | SOLD
Still by Holly Irwin.
Soon by Holly Irwin 36x24", oil on canvas
Soon by Holly Irwin.
Holly Irwin Fine Art
Holly Irwin Fine Art
Gorgeous pastel white roses painting by Holly Irwin. Beautiful Souls Healing With Art: Holly Irwin
“Trusting” 36 x 35. Beautiful Souls Healing With Art: Holly Irwin.

Her work “Trusting” (above) conveys for me a deep
sense of life’s fragility, nature’s gentle acceptance
of change, and the soul’s vast capacity for beauty.

Like the French Impressionist Renoir and both of my
younger sisters, Irwin has rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
and brilliantly eclipses what others might
regard as limiting circumstances.

The auto-immune disease,
debilitating pain, and a dozen surgeries
on hands and feet came not  to curse,
but to BLESS…

to usher in the flow of beauty emerging from her soul and overflowing on canvas.

Floral painting by Holly Irwin.
Holly Irwin.

Perseverance of an Artist

Holly Irwin is also a serial covergirl.

Beautiful Souls Healing With Art: Holly Irwin

My own painting on paper by Holly Irwin…a treasure indeed.

Painting by Holly Irwin.

Beautiful Rooms Graced With Her Art

The work for me is a poetical blend of childhood wonder and spiritual wisdom. A graceful, fashion-informed collection of brushstrokes birthing a decidedly gossamer-like tranquil mood.

All That Jazz - a painting in situ by Holly Irwin.
All That Jazz by Holly Irwin via.
Holly Irwin painting in a beautiful bathroom in Traditional Home magazine.
Holly Irwin painting in a beautiful room in Traditional Home magazine.
White Swan by Holly Irwin in the artist's home.
White Swan by Holly Irwin in the artist’s home via.

Interview with Holly Irwin

What a privilege to interview the artist (and loyal friend to Hello Lovely!) whose courage and outlook bids us all to embrace gratitude, to aim higher.

H.I.: “It’s therapy and joy and wholeness and healing

all wrapped up into one big bundle.”

Springtime in Paris by Holly Irwin | #dkGallery | Marietta, GA | SOLD. Beautiful Souls Healing With Art: Holly Irwin
Springtime in Paris by Holly Irwin.

“Anyone who has been really ill or close to death looks at the everyday with a renewed sense of wonder when they have a second chance at life.

Holly Irwin
Beautiful Souls Healing With Art: Holly Irwin.

There was a time when just walking from

one room to the next was so excruciatingly painful

and draining for me that I surely missed

all the beauty around me. 

Beautiful abstract floral painting by Holly Irwin. Beautiful Souls Healing With Art: Holly Irwin
Holly Irwin Interview {Artist Inspiration}

The pain of rheumatoid arthritis robbed me

of my joy for living. Now that it is pretty much

under control, I am so thankful I can walk

and get exercise..the experience has given me

a whole new perspective of how lucky I am.”

Holly Irwin Fine Art. Beautiful Souls Healing With Art: Holly Irwin.
Painting by Holly Irwin.

 Thoughts About Perfection

Beautiful Souls Healing With Art: Holly Irwin
Holly Irwin.
Beautiful white dress tutu painting with aqua background by Holly Irwin. Beautiful Souls Healing With Art: Holly Irwin
Art by Holly Irwin.
Painting of girl in light blue dress by Holly Irwin. Beautiful Souls Healing With Art: Holly Irwin
Painting by Holly Irwin.
Honey by Holly Irwin | #dkGallery | Marietta, GA | SOLD
Honey by Holly Irwin.

Inspiring the Artist

Kiki by Holly Irwin. Beautiful Souls Healing With Art: Holly Irwin
Holly Irwin painting: Kiki.

1.
Nature and the lush colors of springtime and summer;
I can sometimes imagine a whole painting based solely
on seeing a color that strikes me in a certain way.”
2.
“Femininity, like the way a woman feels in a beautiful dress. When I was a child, my mother (whom I adored!) was a fashion illustrator; she had a great love of fabric
and sewing and made all of our clothes.
This has influenced my paintings a great deal
over the years and continues to do so.”
3.

“Patterns…like the formation of leaves on trees,

the repeating patterns in flowers and plants.”

Creativity quote by Holly Irwin. Beautiful Souls Healing With Art: Holly Irwin.

Art and Healing

Holly’s story reminds me
that by
t r a n s f o r m i n g
my pain,
I can avoid
t r a n s m i t t i n g
it;
and by embracing divine creativity,
I may even
t r a n s c e n d
it.

Girl Stuff by Holly Irwin | #dkGallery | Marietta, GA
Girl Stuff by Holly Irwin. Beautiful Souls Healing With Art: Holly Irwi.

To view Holly Irwin’s available work, visit here. Live near Marietta, Georgia? Lucky!

July 6th is opening night of MASK at dk Gallery, 5-9pm, and you are invited!

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p.s.

Dear Holly,

Your heart and hands are surely in the healing business, and we are grateful. Thank you for bravely answering the call, for welcoming the rich flow of living water and allowing a baptism of sorts to transform you into light. So many days it is easy to look around and grow cynical, to become hardened by disappointments in the culture. Yet your art points us to the eternal, to hope everlasting, to the fruits of the spirit. Your light makes all the difference.

Oh, may healing wash over our dry land, and may our hearts grow as tender as your lovely palette.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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10 Comments

  1. June 25, 2018 / 8:22 pm

    Oh Michele! Thank you for the honor of being featured in your blog post today! You have been a blessing to me as I have found comfort and peace in your written words time and time again. I know that as an artist, you must also find healing and wholeness by sharing your beautiful writing as well as your paintings with all of us. Art is meant to be shared. It completes the creative process by going out into the universe and touching others. Thank you for graciously sharing!

    • michele
      Author
      June 26, 2018 / 9:04 am

      I bow to you, beautiful soul. Thank you for being a healer. xox

  2. June 26, 2018 / 5:35 am

    No other words I have read are more thought provoking than how you channel art and the soul. Such feeling, such awe and beauty in Holly’s brush strokes combined with the deep gentleness of your words. Incredibly beautiful Michele and Holly….incredibly uplifting.

    • michele
      Author
      June 26, 2018 / 9:03 am

      You’re a light, Joan. Keep it glowing. xox

    • June 26, 2018 / 4:51 pm

      Thank you Joan! I’m honored to have my work paired with Michele’s exquisite words!

  3. Patricia
    June 26, 2018 / 7:23 am

    God has blessed Holly with Joy and Peace which only comes through a relationship with Him, “a peace which surpasses understanding”.
    I am in awe of her acceptance of a situation which would make another person bitter. But she has persevered and bloomed with her faith and her love of God.
    May we all lift up our hearts and bloom through adversity and trust in The Lord.

    • michele
      Author
      June 26, 2018 / 9:03 am

      Thank you, beautiful soul for adding blessing and beauty here. 🙂

  4. Carol
    February 7, 2020 / 12:08 am

    I consider it a blessing to have wandered onto this page this evening and learn about Holly’s story. I have been struggling to find my way back to my creativity that fell by the wayside when I became caregiver to my mother in 2006. I didn’t even realize it had happened until after she passed away five years ago. Last week I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my hip and all sorts of thoughts have streamed thru my mind since. Although I’ve saved a number of Holly’s paintings, it was her story that really drew me in. I feel inspired and encouraged that my goal is indeed possible. If I don’t make it back to where I was it’s because I’m meant for more. Thank you so much. I mean this from my heart. Thank you!
    Carol

    • Michele
      Author
      February 7, 2020 / 4:51 pm

      What a blessing that you found your way to this post at a most sacred time, Carol. Isn’t this just how love works? Wishing you healing light and comfort on your journey. Sending positive energy as you discover the deeper meaning and purpose in all you do. And offering thanks to you for adding beauty right here. xox

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SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing