Bulli artist Holly Eva says winning prizes and being featured in television shows is always an honour.
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"But I think any artist will tell you it's not about awards and certainly not about any kind of fame; it's probably more about getting emotions out without words," she said.
"Art is something that helps me get through the day, and helps me get through life.
"Artists don't paint to even sell really. If you can sell, that's just an added bonus."
Although having a life-long interest in the medium, Eva has been painting for about 15 years, and full-time for seven years.
Eva has hosted a number of exhibitions across Sydney and Wollongong.
The 43-year-old is a featured artist on Channel Nine's The Block Shop.
Her work has also been featured in My Kitchen Rules, Selling Houses Australia and in Belle magazine.
She won second place in the Thirroul Seaside Festival Art Prize in 2018 and is a two-time finalist in the Mosman Art Prize.
Prior to having children and being a full-time artist, she was a dance teacher.
"Instead of getting the baby blues, I just kind of started to paint and draw," she said.
"(Initially) it was either sport or art, and I chose sport. When that phased out for me, I went back to the arts."
Eva is a contemporary artist known for her freestyle expressionist abstract work and intuitive Warrior Woman paintings.
Eva describes her way of painting as a "chaotic dance" which has its own rhythm and beat.
"It was almost like crossing over, from dancing with my legs to the dancing now coming out in my hands," she said.
"It's weird. There's a similar process and emotion that's involved in dancing creatively or painting creatively, at least for me."
Eva is among several Illawarra artists, and 120 artists in total, who have been selected to exhibit their work at The Other Art Fair in Sydney.
The Other Art Fair is a leading artist fair to discover and buy art directly from emerging artists.
Their work will be featured at The Cutaway at Barangaroo from October 24-27.
This will be the first time Eva's work has been showcased at this fair.
"I'm really excited, because I guess being a Mum of two, I'm constantly juggling my career, and this is something that when I heard about it went, 'I have to do it'," she said.
"I wanted to broaden my horizons and get into Sydney more.
"This is an incredible opportunity. It's a huge opportunity for all us emerging artists."
The Other Art Fair hosts events in Sydney, Melbourne, London, Brooklyn, Los Angeles and Chicago.
Tickets are available here.
Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
