Holly Cochran
I like to use illustration as a tool to evoke feelings of nostalgia, creating colourful and dreamy prints which tap into where my passion for drawing began.
About
![profile photo of Holly Cochran](http://cdn-acquia.dundee.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/content_summary_free_image_webp/public/2023-04/holly_cochran_profile.jpg.webp?itok=7dIKMtV_)
As an illustrator, my work is often inspired by personal experience and interests. This year I have been delving back into the nostalgia I have for my childhood interests and creating prints in response to this. My work is a combination of my drawings, film photography, text and scanned objects. It is primarily risograph printed, a skill I’ve developed throughout my fourth year. I love creating images built of many layered elements as I feel it helps me to capture complex emotions and tell a story through my work.
On the whole my illustration is about having fun - using the colours, techniques and themes which motivate me to keep creating.
Girlhood
![A scan of an open book, printed in pink. A pointillism study of 3 female figures is printed in black over the book.](http://cdn-acquia.dundee.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/student_work_desktop_1440w/public/2023-04/holly_cochran_image_1.jpg?itok=zjC8EFlC)
This recent work explores the theme of ‘Girlhood’, within it I aimed to create imagery drawing on the collective experience of growing up female. A girl’s teenage years are a turbulent time where both your body, and the way the world perceives you, is changing. I wanted to capture the feelings I associate with my own girlhood, as well as drawing on literature and the experience of those around me.
Dreamscapes
![The central image is a pink swan with a looped neck, it has cherries in its beak and a yellow bow round its neck. Within the left side of the piece there is a yellow box with a blue hand inside and details around the box edge. The image has a blue border with a pink and green floral pattern.](http://cdn-acquia.dundee.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/student_work_desktop_1440w/public/2023-04/holly_cochran_image_2_2.jpg?itok=4eDsH-Eo)
In this personal project I aimed to create a sense of nostalgia, creating illustrations my childhood self would’ve loved. These ethereal compositions allowed me to experiment with saturated colours and develop my skills in risograph printing.
DJCAD x V&A
![The photograph shows a ceramic white and pink candleholder with black details painted on it. It resembles a moth, with legs for the candles on each side. To the right of the candleholder is a green spider plant in a light blue pot. The objects are on a black background.](http://cdn-acquia.dundee.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/student_work_desktop_1440w/public/2023-04/holly_cochran_image_3.jpg?itok=OrK_cyko)
In this project I created both a printed and physical piece in response to the brief. This ceramic candleholder has been influenced by Geoffrey Mann’s ‘Attracted to Light’ lamp, within the V&A Dundee design galleries.
I post my work most frequently on Instagram, this is where you can find my works in progress and finished pieces. I also take commission work and sell prints of my pieces, just send me a message or email to find out more.