Sarah Holtby
Painter
Site #9 |
19100 Marsh Hill Road (north of Epsom) |
Guest artist: |
“I approach the human form from curiosity and control, shifting seamlessly between abstraction and realism, coloured pencil and finger-painting. My aim is to capture hearts and minds, revealing something you didn’t realize was always there. ”
Sarah Holtby is a Canadian Architectural Designer and Fine Artist known for her stunning photorealistic pencil drawings, larger than life finger-paintings and mixed-media works. Based in rural Scugog, Ontario, she has built a reputation for capturing the intricate details of the human form and spirit, often exploring themes of emotion, light, and memory. Her artistic approach is deeply influenced by her unique academic background, which merges a Bachelor of Health Science, and Post Secondary studies in Architectural Design. This blend of science and art gives her a distinctive perspective, where she examines both the visual aspects of form and the scientific principles of function, while exploring her natural propensity toward curiosity and detail.
Although self-taught as an artist, Holtby has integrated her formal training in science and architecture into her creative process. Her background in Health Science, with its focus on anatomy and physiology, profoundly informs her detailed drawing process, particularly in her portraits of the human form. She views her art as a form of self-realization, a way to make sense of the world by slowing down and observing its nuances. Her fascination with details drives her work, from the painstaking realism of her early pencil drawings to her later explorations with paint, pastels, ink and embroidery. Her work challenges the cultural narrative of speed and efficiency, scale and tool. Larger than life creations with the tiniest of tools, solidifying her commitment of time, effort and quality or production. Every piece she creates is deeply personal.
In addition to her fine art, Holtby is a successful architectural designer, running her firm, S|H Design, from her home and studio in East Uxbridge. She emphasizes a deep connection between her artistic and architectural practices, believing that designing a home should harmonize the built and natural environments. Together with her husband, she designed their home and art studio, which serves as a gallery to showcase her art. As a prominent figure in her local art scene, Holtby has won the Society of Canadian Artists, First Award of Excellence, has participated in the Uxbridge Studio Tour for over a decade and recently took over as Chair of the tour in 2024.
