‘ECLECTIC’ 9th June 2026

In this exhibition of work by Michaela Hollyfield, luminous colours in abstracted landscapes sit alongside representations of the Pembrokeshire coastline and portraiture work of the artist’s mother.

The show includes multimedia work on paper, charcoal sketches and pastel portraits of her mother dating back to 2012 which will be available to view in the browsers situated in the space.

The portrait work of her mother is an ongoing expression of the artists feelings about losing her mother to dementia. It is a topic she has only just begun to explore through painting.

“Mum was diagnosed with dementia in 2017 just after the death of my father. In August 2023 she moved into a home, until that time my brother and I had been caring for her. I have always sketched and drawn my mum, and during the years we cared for her I sketched her when she slept or was watching TV. Since she has been in a home I take many photos of her, always with the intention of using them as research and reference. After clearing her house last year, I found the diaries she wrote when I was born. Reading them has been intensely moving and has opened up emotions I have been trying to ignore about my feelings of losing my mum to this tragic and cruel disease. Painting this portrait of her will hopefully be the start of more of work connected with losing her to dementia and also the discovery of these precious diaries.
In this painting I have tried to portray her unfocussed gaze as she asks me, ‘am I your mother?’ with complete surprise.”

Michaela’s landscape work is an ongoing body of work, in which she likes to paint realistically or more symbolically using forms of landscape to express emotional states. She has periods of painting intuitively in a processed based way and also goes back towards representation, enjoying working with form and brushwork. In both cases her love of paint and expressive use of colour make her work distinctive and individual.

If you would like to purchase any of Michaela’s work please contact her on 07846631338, or email m23hollyfield@gmail.com

You can view more of her work on her website: www.michaelahollyfield.co.uk or visit her studio during the North Pembrokeshire Open Studios in August, or otherwise by appointment.

https://www.npopenstudios.co.uk/fishguard/91-michaela-hollyfield

Michaela also exhibits at Workshop Wales Gallery: www.workshopwalesgallery.co.uk

Facebook: Michaela Hollyfield Paintings

Instagram: Michaela Hollyfield

Michaela graduated from Norwich School of Art and Design in 1997 and went on to complete an MA in Fine Art at Aberystwyth School of Art from 2013- 2016.