All the Art I've Made Whilst Living Full Time Van-Life ~ Published Illustrator!

In this video I'm going to be sharing every single project and commission that I worked on as a professional illustrator, whilst living full time in our van and travelling the world! From wildlife paintings for BBC Wildlife magazine, to food illustrations for a bakery chain in Norway, I've had a busy 1.5 years working out of our tiny home on wheels. Plus! I'll be sharing about a newly released illustrated matching game, out with Laurence King Publishing.
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My Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/HollyExley
Gardener's Match: www.laurenceking.com/products...
(Available internationally, and in many book stores and gift shops worldwide!)
Dog Park Board Game: birdwoodgames.com/collections...
My Zine Video: • Start to Finish - The ...
January Daily Videos: • Vanuary 2024
BBC Wildlife Magazine: www.discoverwildlife.com/maga...
WB Samson: samson.no
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All MUSIC in this video is from Musicbed (affiliate link) : share.mscbd.fm/hollyexleyillus...

[@EleonoraFestari]

This was like a trip down memory lane: it's insane to think that almost 2 years already have passed since you move permanently in the van and it's incredible to see how much art projects you have been able to accomplish in such a small place! Well done, Holly! If you will ever publish the zine again, I would definitely love to buy one. Love, Eleonora

[@msellenandrea]

Loved seeing this :D I live in Oslo, if I'm ever by a WB Samson I will get some photos of your illustrations in situ!

[@ClareWillcocks]

I love this sort of video! Your illustrations are just beautiful! I'd really like to see your travel sketchbook if its something you'd be happy to share. 🙂

[@aboveboard4914]

I felt very lucky to see so much of your work in one go! It's so lovely, thanks for sharing it!

[@Lilybet1316]

Holly this was a marvelous catch-up and even included the dogs in the background! Looking forward to your Etsy shop and sticker packs! 😊❤❤❤

[@thesaladczar]

Can't wait for your Etsy sales!! Looking forward to stickers and hopefully originals for my Exley Collection.

[@tangerinaaaas]

i believe you have shown the materials you were taking with you when you started packing in your house. i would love to see how you keep organized in the van with all the art supplies and how much prep you need to start working in a tiny space. thank you for your content 🥰

[@julie_uk_]

A lovely collection of your work Holly, thank you for sharing. It would be nice if there was a book of your illustrations, with themes: bug girl era 😊

[@bykatrinasophia]

Amazing, I'm glad you're still getting work whilst being living in the van! So inspiring. Beautiful paintings as always.

[@coilbliss]

You are so talented. Thank you for sharing your art with all of us.

[@naomisackett9210]

Yes please to another zine run! Thank you for sharing your beautiful work.

[@dchoiart]

I could look at your work all day. Your style is amazing! Thanks for sharing your paintings again. :D

[@ijustwant2party123]

Loved seeing your work again! Would love to see your sketchbook and more about your latest publishing project when you’re able to share 😊

[@itscarolinemary]

woo love stickers! 💕🥰💐 can't wait!

[@georgiaholland3912]

Loved seeing all of these in one place - can't believe some bits (like your zine!) were as long ago as they were! I love both your vanlife and artist videos so will enjoy anything you put out, but would definitely welcome any arty videos making a comeback :) I especially like your chatty vids that are a bit more like video essays, like your videos on zines or social media being bad for artists etc

[@hollyexley]

I know right- time has flown since that zine was made! I feel an arty summer happening so hopefully lots of arty content coming your way. And I hope to be a bit more chatty and reflective too - thank you for your suggestions, appreciate it Georgia :)

[@katierobertsart5658]

Stunning Holly! So great to see all your artwork and see a summary of your travels :) thankyou. Xx

[@chloehilldesigns]

Working from a van is impressive! I live and work (freelance design & illustration) from my narrowboat and sometimes feel super cooped up having so little space so seeing you do it from a van makes me actually appreciate the space i have in comparison!

[@hollyexley]

I'm impressed with myself sometimes tbh! I used to have a huge studio space to work in - I am amazed I dont miss it more. We are much more adaptable than we think we are :) I bet its lovely working from a narrowboat!

[@Ellary_Rosewood]

So lovely to see all of the art you've made! You've been so busy! I love everything, but I especially love all of the food illustrations. 🥧🍓 I too love woodlouse. Where I'm from, we call them roly polies or pillbugs. I used to play with them all the time as a child.

[@anonymousjdg]

So much beautiful art, Holly! Loved seeing it all together in this video, quite the accomplishment :)

[@linocutmoon]

Super wonderful video, Holly! I hadn’t really realised what a huge amount of beautiful illustrations you’d done in the van. And the recap on your travels was lovely to see too. 😊

[@noahremm]

Lovely to see all the amazing artworks you made!!!! And all that while living in a van :)

[@Dreamittolife]

Hello, Im a business owner and artist and would love to hear about your experience with finding commissions, product creation launch ect. The fact that you do all this from your van is really impressive and admirable! Im so glad I found your channel 😊

[@Barbara4ox]

Wow Beautiful work. Thank you so much for sharing. 😍💎

[@ChantelleArts]

Your life looks so idyllic ☺☺

[@Lindzo89]

I love your work. Such a talented artist!

[@leilaniambrose7079]

I would snatch up a zine for sure if you had them available again! Loved seeing more of your artwork.

[@amandahilleary2581]

Love this video, please do more art videos!

[@DrFjords]

Great video! Psyched for the Etsy shop update and the upcoming sketchbook tour!

[@gabbywilliamson76]

Beautiful work ❤

[@debsllewelyn230]

Loved seeing this Holly xx

[@viennajoanna]

I'm always amazed by your art style! I've been following your journey over the years now and I keep being amazed!

[@hollyexley]

Aw thank you so much, too kind!

[@chinskis1]

Beautiful illustrations😍!

[@EmmaCarpenterIllustration]

Great video Holly 😊 it reminds me of your year in review videos. I love the dog illustrations and the gloss on that bun 🙌 lovely to see clips of the different places you’ve visited too

[@hollyexley]

Thank you Emma, glad you enjoyed. I hope to paint more glossy baked goods this year - my fav 😁

[@mimosaintheclouds6592]

Absolutely love isopodes of all kinds. Have you seen the rubber ducky isopod? It’s a treat! My husband likes to share at parties that I have a top 5 favourite insect list as a running gag 😂

[@hollyexley]

Oh my gosh. I had never come across the rubber ducky isopod! Perfectly named! I need to start working on my own top five list 😅 Bugs make me so happy

[@ardview-vanlife]

Amazing video, loved seeing all your amazing work 😍 Such a talent 👏👏

[@ThePattiw]

An amazing amount of really good work Holly! I cannot begin to imagine how you were able to do it without a continuous dedicated space to work in. If that had been me I would have most surely got food smears all over many of the completed illustrations! I am just catching up on my video watching. This world is giving me major fatigue 💔 but it is such a comfort to drop in to my fav KZbin channels to watch some art, beautiful scenery, some knitting..... I would really love to see your sketchbook when it is done. Enjoy Europe! I see a video coming up soon about moving to Scotland?!!! Sounds exciting. I somehow missed all the Scotland videos previously, how did that happen?

[@teresaromo6798]

I would love a copy of your first zine!!

[@hyedie]

I'd be interested in a 2nd run of your zine!!!

[@leonahussey]

It’s lovely to see all of the artwork you’ve created since you’ve been on the road. ❤

[@LisWatkins]

Really nice to see all the work you have done in the past two years 😊

[@antonijabelovariart2725]

Such a lovely video! To answer your question: I would love if you could make some videos and give advice on how to get (and keep) clients. I moved to a rural area, but still work 9-5, and I loose 3-4 hours commuting, which leaves me no time for making art and working in the garden. It's a very tiring way to live, so I would love to start freelancing as an artist, but as someone who never managed to get client work I am so confused and I find it really hard. Btw. I'm from Croatia and I hope you liked it here, even if you were just passing through 😉

[@katjweiss]

"bug girl era" 😂😂 This is so cool! working in a van looks so cozy. I really like your aquatic animal spreads 🥹 It's fascinating how you've managed to compress everything into that small space. But i guess it's more spacious in there than one might think? Do you cook often in your van?!

[@itscarolinemary]

Seeing shots on Isla makes me miss those vlogs!! I need to rewatch them sometime 😊

[@sarawebb6031]

Loved this video! 💜 Holly, thank you for sharing your lives with us. I enjoy your transparency, your open & truthfulness on sharing your emotions & passions. Big hugs to you & your 3 fellas. 💜💜💜💜

[@itscarolinemary]

Getting flashbacks to your vlogs on patreon with certain paintings you're showing ❤ this video is fun to watch! You're so talented

[@robinamybruce]

Thank you Holly, I do love seeing your art, its so beautiful.. what ever happened to your cook book project that was a self made project?

[@zee-lo5yk]

Feel blessed to see all the artworks in one! Hope you’re taking care on the road :)

[@AmberJayneArt]

Love your work so much! What an accomplishment to finish it all in such a small space ☺️

[@hollyexley]

Thank you Amber Jayne. I do feel a little accomplished I must admit, it was an adjustment to my working habits, but it seems to be working out :)

[@Spidercandy957]

Loved all of this Holly! I feel so inspired seeing your art. It’s just so magical and beautiful. I love painting along with you if you ever want to do long form not very edited just painting videos.

[@laineyrae8981]

Wow, well done. Thank you for sharing a whole range of work from these past two years. Your style and technique are always lovely and even more impressive that you get it done while seemingly living your best life and traveling. It's really cool that you have semi-regular (idk how regular ) contracts with companies like BBC Wildlife. I'll look forward to a possible travel sketchbook tour and those previously mentioned stickers. :) Best regards.

[@hollyexley]

Thank you Laine! The regular clients are cherished, its reassuring to have monthly work to busy myself with. Sketchbook tour coming soon, just a few pages left to fill!

[@RowdyMushMutt]

loved seeing your art here! can you share how you find these projects/ jobs ?

[@LauraGomez-bl2so]

I need to buy that card game! I have your tree one, I love the illustrations so much. Have you ever had to turn down a commission because it was too scary/gross? I could not have painted that spider. :D

[@biankaotto8296]

❤

[@petrolnut]

Do you have a scanner in the van, or do you rely on scanning your artwork in public libraries? Are you able to work on A3 or is space too tight for that? Love your videos

[@catklu]

👏👏👏👏☺

[@louiselangton]

How fast time has gone! This was lovely Holly, thanks for sharing. I'm excited about your new shop drop and have requested to follow you on Instagram 😉 I hope the weather is better for you four where you are compared to back here in England. Have a great time in France x