Meet Rebecca Hollen | Artist and Art Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rebecca Hollen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rebecca, why did you pursue a creative career?

I have been creative since I was a child. It was a way to escape and use my imagination. I really enjoyed drawing and it helped develop great observational skills. My accuracy of my drawings often were recognized and celebrated, which built my confidence in pursuing art. It was nice that something I enjoyed creating was also enjoyed by others. When I was in high school, I told my parents that my future career had to be related to art. Art needed to be part of my life. It was a necessity. High school was a tough time because I lost several close relatives (including a sibling) and I remember art became more meaningful to me after that. In hindsight, art was part of my grieving process. My parents were hesitant at first with my career choice, but they still supported me regardless.

My family always worked with their hands. My grandparents had a farm and garden. I remember helping in the garden to pick and wash produce, shell peas, and can fruit/veggies. Both of my grandfathers were carpenters and they taught me how to use basic hand tools at a young age. My grandmother would make beautiful quilts and would even sew some of our clothes. My parents followed in my grandparents’ footsteps and are also exceptionally hard working. Having them as role models has influenced my own will and work ethic.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

Over the past few years, I have worked primarily with mixed media. My current work incorporates sewing patterns which is nostalgic for me. I remember my grandmother making quilts and designing my clothes when I was little, so I often think of feelings of warmth and care (very maternal) when I incorporate sewing patterns into my work. I may also be drawn to childhood memories like these, because my husband and I are expecting our first child this summer.

I am still in shock as to where I am in my career today. I wanted to be an artist and college art professor, but in the back of my mind I knew it would be extremely difficult to achieve. I worked in K-12 public education for five years and those were some of the best and worst years of my life; however, I needed those years of hardship and joy to get where I am today. I don’t feel as if I am any different or set apart from others. I am going through life with all of its ups and downs, just like anyone else. It is also thanks to the support of my family, husband, best friend and professors. Without their support, I think I would have given up pursuing art as any sort of career a long time ago.

It definitely was not easy and there was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears involved. When I set my mind on a goal, I am headstrong about it (thanks to my parents) and stick with it. I can’t recall a time where I wanted to give up on art while in college. It meant too much for me to give up. Some lessons I’ve learned along the way include: 1) it will always be hard, but changing your perspective can shift the outlook of your situation; 2) have a great support system. Surround yourself with people that are not only going to support you when you are down, but also when you are up, living your “high” points.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I stay in contact with my best friend practically every day! We met in college in the art program. Whenever she comes to visit, we have our “go to” places. We both love to explore nature and enjoy visiting State Parks. We go to local coffee shops, favorite sushi/ramen restaurants or sometimes we stay in to have a baking party of scones, pies, and cookies. We also just love to shop leisurely even if we don’t buy anything! The two of us are also plant lovers and it doesn’t take much for us to buy a new plant. Both of us don’t live too far from Canton, home of Canton First Monday Trade Days, so we will meet there to shop and eat fried pies! We typically end up having long, meaningful conversations about life and laugh at our own jokes.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

My grandparents and parents have always been exceptionally hard workers. I owe a lot of my will and work ethic to them. I’ve learned that if you want something, you better work hard to get it. My parents were of course hesitant when I told them I wanted to pursue art as a career but they were supportive nevertheless and that made such a huge impact. Not only did I want to keep creating for myself but for them as well. I was the first in my immediate family to go to college and I had a lot of support.

My husband (whom I’ve known for nearly 13 years and married to for five years) has been with me and supported me 100%. I couldn’t have made it this far without his support. We are expecting our first child in the summer, so wish us luck!

I met my best friend in college and she also deserves a huge shoutout. Not only has she been there for me in terms of art but also as my friend. We shared a studio space together during our time as graduate students at UT Tyler and we’ve built a life-long friendship because of it.

My professors were also a huge influence in my choice to pursue art. I never thought at the time I would have been able to earn anything other than an Associate’s Degree, but then I was accepted into the BFA Program at UT Tyler and it changed my life. I had a professor that continued to encourage me and I applied for UT Tyler’s MFA Program. Graduate school was a huge turning point in my life and it is all thanks to those professors’ encouragement and the support of my husband, family, and friends.