Dolly

Born and raised in South Africa to American parents, Dolly Whitley’s merged experiences give her a unique perspective into the world. She has worked in a variety of creative fields and mediums over the past 20+ years. Her most recent work in oil is deeply influenced by her experiences with PTSD and finding expression and healing through creative outlets. Dolly enjoys exploring darker themes and illuminating personal stories through art.

I wish to explore and share what it is to be human, both from within and without. I often do so through realistic surrealism. My work is layered and symbolic, allowing the viewer to examine not just the detail on canvas, but their own deeper emotional reactions and connections to the stories my paintings tell.

I am not merely interested in capturing how my subject looks but how my subject feels. I choose to do so by incorporating natural elements into my work, and in so doing I hope to capture a sacred symbiosis. Nature is powerful, resilient and good, and therefore we can also be. We are nature.

VA