Local artist creates digital composite portraits

Buffalo native and resident Emily Christine Holt is a Digital Composite Artist (non-AI) who has a passion for creativity and unique eye for the arts. Many of Holt’s creations focus on the subject matter of self-portraits. A digital composite is a single image that incorporates layers of photographs, drawings, paintings, or other images, which are then altered and manipulated using a photo-editing system. 

Emily’s artwork is created in Adobe Photoshop. “You’re basically taking multiple photos and layers and manipulating them into one picture.” The process involves placing images layered on top of one another to blend and meld into one. “It’s basically like a digital collage.” 

Holt got started creating digital composite art around the time of the pandemic in 2020, where she often found herself wondering why she wasn’t capturing the images and ideas that would flash in her mind, and why she wasn’t processing them. With a background in multimedia design and photography, Holt’s creativity took hold, and her artwork came to life. “I’ve always been a creative and imaginative person.”   

Creative Process

Each artist has their own unique creative process. Emily often starts by sketching the image or vision she has in mind and then begins “curating the assets” for her work, which involves gathering images, photos, drawings, and paintings for each piece. She then begins the process of manipulating those images through various avenues, such as altering texture, changing light saturation, and adding or removing certain details from those images. The extensive process gives each layer its own unique look and feel.

“My maternal-side ancestors are represented a lot in my pieces.” Holt described the creation of a piece titled, “Anna, the Bluebird and Me,” which utilized a photograph of her great-grandmother when she was young. Emily was then able to blend in a photograph of herself to create the portrait of a woman with the combined features of both Emily and her great-grandmother, making for a truly unique and one-of-a-kind portrait. Emily stated that she feels a strong connection with her lineage often utilizes representations of her ancestors.

None of Holt’s art is created using artificial intelligence. All of her works are done by hand manipulation, which is part of Holt’s artistic process, allowing her to dive into her own self-understanding. Emily will often ask herself why she’s holding a certain image in her mind and then strive to discover what that image represents to her. “I started to create and make these images so I can look at them and start understanding why they’re there and give them a space to live. Each piece is a story from my past or something that might be happening in the future, and I just don’t know it yet.”

Holt’s art is a reflection of who she is, often utilizing photos from different experiences to create a unique self-portrait that tells the timeline and story of her life.

“I want people to look at them and find their story and a commonality with one another, how we all grow through life and how we all have our own story.” 

Exhibit

Emily Christine Holt’s images and artwork went on display last Saturday where she held a reception at the Wright County Historical Society (WCHS). Her works will continue to be on display through April 18. 

The exhibit titled, “Digital Reflections: Unraveling the Layers to My Story,” is open to the public.  Emily Christine Holt is the first artist hosted by the Wright County Historical Society in the newly created “Community Art Space” dedicated to displaying the works of talented local artists. 

WCHS Outreach and Education Coordinator Geoff Wells shared, “The Community Art Space is dedicated to creating a display area for upcoming artists that use all varieties of mediums.” The WCHS has a goal of helping promote area artists as a way to build community involvement from all around Wright County.